Some of the world’s most influential thinkers and provocative new voices will be tracking their work on the site. Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, current trustee for two CGIAR boards CIMMYT and ILRI since 2008 and has been involved with the Farming First global campaign, advocating for a holistic approach to sustainable agricultural development since 2008. Chief executive officer and head of diplomatic mission, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), She has held the position of CEO of FANRPAN since 2004. She is currently coordinating policy research and advocacy programs in 14 southern African countries, all aimed at making southern Africa a food-secure region. Her portfolio includes policy research and advocacy work on food policies, agricultural productivity, natural resources and environment, and the impact of HIV/Aids on agriculture and food security in southern Africa.

In 2009 Dr Sibanda led the climate change global campaign on No Agriculture, No Deal in the UN Framework for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC) meeting in Copenhagen.

Lindiwe is an animal scientist by training and a practicing commercial beef cattle farmer, breeding Thuli and Brahman cattle. She received her BSc at the University of Alexandria, Egypt; her MSc and PhD at the University of Reading, UK.

Read More about other contributors at the Guardian, Global development advisory panel, 14th September 2010