Saweda Liverpool-Tasie

Saweda Liverpool-Tasie is an MSU Foundation Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at Michigan State University (MSU), specializing in development economics and food security. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and advanced degrees from the University of Iowa and University of Jos, Nigeria. Her research focuses on poverty reduction strategies, agricultural input markets, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on Nigeria. She has led major initiatives such as the Research Supporting African MSMEs to Provide Safe and Nutritious Food (RSM2SNF) project and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy in Nigeria.

Dr. Liverpool-Tasie is a recipient of the 2018–19 MSU Teacher-Scholar Award, recognizing her integration of research into teaching, and the 2016 John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader Award. She serves on the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD) and pioneered mentorship programs pairing African scholars with global institutions. Her work spans policy analysis, capacity-building workshops, and collaborative training programs to strengthen agricultural systems and empower stakeholders.

She teaches courses like 'Agriculture in Economic Development' and 'World Food, Population, and Poverty,' co-developing curricula with real-world research examples. Her mentoring has produced advisees who consistently win academic awards. Notable projects include assessing fertilizer subsidies, analyzing fish and vegetable value chains in Nigeria, and addressing climate change impacts on agrifood systems.

Her research has informed policy through initiatives like the GISAIA project and collaborations with institutions such as IFPRI. She emphasizes sustainable agricultural intensification, gender inclusivity, and the role of SMEs in transforming food systems. Her work bridges academic research, policy, and practical training to enhance resilience and equity in African agrifood systems.