It feels strange to be optimistic after the chaos unleashed on our sector this year, especially as funding for agricultural development will likely decline further. However, necessity is the mother of invention, and I hope this leads to a razor-sharp focus on cost-effective approaches with genuine potential for scale.

AMEA's call to invest in systems, not more pilots, is gaining traction. In 2026 we'll see more countries adopt standards for Business Development Services, including data to measure their effectiveness.

Yet one constraint remains: data quality. We screened over 100 projects for our case study series. The majority didn't meet basic standards - data was incomplete, inaccurate, and/or incoherent. This reflects a deeper issue we must address together.

In 2026, we have an opportunity to change the incentives that brought us here. We need a step-change, not another rebranding. Let us lead the way and show what's possible with genuine commitment to evidence-based systems change.

Thank you all for your contributions in 2025 and wishing you a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!