Dr. Gurbir S. Bhullar is a farming systems expert at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland. He has first-hand experience and expertise in long-term farming systems research in relation to the contemporary challenges faced by the small holder farming communities, particularly in less-privileged parts of the world. His qualifications span across agricultural and environmental sciences, and the focus of his research includes agricultural ecology, climate change mitigation and participatory research for sustainability of rural livelihoods. He undertakes multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches, contributing to policy-making for sustainable development. Dr Amritbir Riar is theme leader for ‘resilient cropping systems’ at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland. He has diverse experience in leading various research and extension initiatives focusing on agricultural farming and production systems, participatory and decentralized plant breeding, policy engagement and dialogue on value chain integrity. He also serves as scientific coordinator of a Long-Term Farming Systems Comparison (SysCom) program, comprising a series of LTEs across tropical countries focused on comparing different farming systems for their performance on agronomic, economic and ecological aspects.