Thomas Tomich has been appointed to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Independent Science and Partnership Council.

The Daily Democrat reports that together with another six advisors, Tomich will provide expert scientific advice to improve the quality, relevance, and impact of CGIAR's research portfolio of more than $1.1 billion per year.

CGIAR is a publicly funded research consortium working in more than 100 developing countries to eliminate hunger and poverty, improve food and nutritional security, and sustainably manage natural resources. It comprises 15 research centers, of which the World Agroforestry Centre

Tomich is currently the director of the Agricultural Sustainability Institute at the University of California Davis. While with the World Agroforestry Centre, he served as principal economist and global coordinator of the ASB Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins.

"Tom is committed to the highest standards of science, and has the deep understanding of sustainability required to make transformative change at a global level,” said Howard-Yana Shapiro, Chief Agricultural Officer at Mars Inc. who currently serves on CGIAR's midterm review panel.

“His appointment is a great opportunity to help shape the future of food on the planet.”

Read the full story: Global ag research council names UC Davis sustainability leader as adviser