Joseph Goeb

Joseph Goeb is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University (MSU), affiliated with the Food Security Group and Development Economics research areas. He holds dual roles as a Senior Research Fellow with MwAPATA in Malawi and continues supporting the Myanmar Agricultural Policy Support Activity (MAPSA). His work spans three decades of field experience in Zambia, Myanmar, and Malawi, blending academic research with practical development interventions.

Goeb’s research focuses on agricultural markets, pesticide use, value chain resilience, and food security in fragile states. Notable projects include analyzing Myanmar’s agri-food systems during the 2020 pandemic and evaluating pesticide safety behaviors in Zambia and Mozambique. He has conducted groundbreaking studies on rural livelihoods in Malawi, including the Malawi Rural Agricultural Livelihoods Survey (MRALS).

His 15 most recent articles emphasize Myanmar’s agrifood systems under conflict and pandemic shocks, Malawi’s value chain development challenges, and pesticide-related health risks in sub-Saharan Africa. Awards include the AFRE Best Dissertation Award and recognition as a U.S. Borlaug Fellow. Goeb’s advisory roles include technical support for policy reforms in Myanmar and Malawi, with a focus on post-disaster resilience and smallholder inclusion. He is based at MSU’s Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture in East Lansing, Michigan.