Bringing land issues to the fore of CGIAR food systems transformation research

In 2023, One CGIAR became a member of the International Land Coalition (ILC), building on individual center engagement that dates to ILC’s founding in 1995.The ILC is a network of people-led organizations, local and international NGOs, research institutes, UN agencies and others, all focused on promoting people-centered land policy and practice. ILC’s Secretariat is hosted by IFAD in Rome, and CGIAR has a permanent seat on ILC’s Council, currently represented by ILRI and seconded by ICARDA.  

Land is a critical issue for the CGIAR 

Land access and tenure are critical issues in food production and, therefore, for the CGIAR.  The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development’s 2021 report highlights the importance of tenure security for ensuring safe and nutritious food, boosting nature-positive solutions, fostering equitable livelihoods and gender justice, and enhancing resilience to shock and stress.  

Globally, nearly one billion people live under insecure tenure arrangements, with wide-ranging consequences for their livelihoods. Without tenure security, smallholder farmers are vulnerable to land loss, encroachment or land-grabbing, and are less likely to take risks in production- such as adopting new tools, methodologies or investing in increasing land productivity.  

In CGIAR research, land access and tenure are integral to food systems and sustainability. Land is the foundation of food production and a key asset for most smallholder farmers, livestock keepers, and forest inhabitants. It can also be a tool for those seeking greater political and economic power. As populations grow and land pressures intensify, land use conflicts increase, affecting the communities CGIAR works with and potentially influencing research in practical ways.   

CGIAR land research and the need for more 

The importance of land access and tenure has been recognized by CGIAR, yet only a small proportion of research explicitly focuses on it. Significant past programs include CAPRi and the Policies Institutions and Markets (PIM) CRP Flagship project on Natural Resources Governance. More recently, the Initiatives and associated bilateral projects have conducted ground-breaking research on various topics: land accumulation and power dynamics in cattle ranching and forests in Colombia, participatory land use planning in pastoral areas in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania, perceptions of pastoralist collective tenure in Burkina Faso, Sudan and Kenya, gender transformative approaches to secure women’s land rights, youth and land titling, commons and carbon, and land rental markets, among others. Nevertheless, these efforts have been piecemeal, involving only a few dedicated centers and scientists. Research on land issues has not been systematically included into CGIAR’s research portfolio.   

How joining the International Land Coalition can assist CGIAR’s research 

By joining the ILC, CGIAR can enhance its research on land issues. In a July 2024 webinar co-hosted by ILC and the CGIAR Environment and Biodiversity Platform, ILC Director Michael Taylor highlighted several opportunities. First, he noted that ILC is strengthening its research component in four key areas and is looking for partnerships: 1) exploring the links between land rights and agroecological principles; 2) tenure systems that support sustainable rangeland management, adaptation and restoration; 3) data on land conflicts arising from the green energy transition; and 4) linkages between land rights, biodiversity and carbon.  

Second, with 294 members working across 81 countries- many of which are people-led organizations- the ILC network offers a rich and diverse group that would benefit from partnerships with CGIAR. These partnerships could foster joint research, collaboration on projects and interventions, and the sharing of knowledge and experiences. Regional ILC hubs and National Land Coalitions serve as entry points for connecting with members. 

Third, ILC is a strong advocate for people-centered land rights, playing a central role in global, regional and national advocacy. CGIAR can contribute to this advocacy with evidence-based research and, in turn, benefit from strengthening its own advocacy and influence efforts, increasing its reach, and operating in a more enabling environment.  

Global Land Forum 2025 and future collaborations  

In June 2025, ILC will host its Global Land Forum (GLF) in Colombia over three days. One day will focus on Colombian land issues, while the other two will address global thematic areas. The GLF will bring together ILC members and others working on land issues worldwide, creating opportunities for vibrant, meaningful interactions. It will also provide an opportunity for sharing CGIAR’s research on land and natural resources, and for establishing and strengthening partnerships for future collaborations.   

With the development of the new CGIAR Science Programs and the recent renewal of ILC membership, the time is ideal for increasing CGIAR’s work on land and natural resource governance. While this work may primarily fall within one or two programs, it is important for the entire CGIAR to consider land issues within its research. Collaborating with the ILC and its members will open new opportunities for advancing this effort.   

For more information please contact: 

• Fiona Flintan, Senior Scientist, ILRI and current CGIAR representative on the ILC Council, f.flintan@cgiar.org  

• Aymen Frija, Agricultural Economist, ICARDA and current CGIAR representative second on the ILRI Council, a.frija@cgiar.org  

• Jeremy Bourgoin, International Land Coalition research coordinator seconded from CIRAD, Jeremy.bourgoin@cirad.fr  

Banner photo: The ILC is an international coalition of 254 members focused on people-centered land policy and practice. Photo by ILC.