About Paul's Work
A geographer by training, Paul G. Schmidt works at the intersection of climate data, agronomy, and rural development with a strong focus on sustainable food systems and landscape approaches. He combines expertise in innovation studies, ecosystem management, and agricultural value chains to co-create climate adaptation solutions and advance the transformation towards sustainable landscapes.
Paul’s work ranges from in-field practices and household adaptation to farm-level decision-making and financial services for coffee farmers. In coffee and cocoa systems and further perennial cropping systems (cashew, shea, oil palm etc.), he also engages with multiple actors along the value chain, facilitating multi-stakeholder processes.
In his research, he applies participatory methods, focus groups, and qualitative research to translate data into actionable strategies. With experience in human-centered design, Lean Canvas, and business model development, Paul applies a systems perspective to scaling innovation and supporting transformation toward sustainability.
Before joining the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in 2023, Paul worked with UNCCD, the Green Office of University of Göttingen, and the German Government’s advisory board on the Environment (SRU)
Paul holds a B.Sc. from the University of Göttingen, Germany and an M.Sc. from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, as well as continuous education certificates from the Public University of Navarra, Spain, Universidad Externado, Colombia and the Fundación IPES, Pamplona.