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Published on
14.08.25
Oluwadara Alegbeleye, Adama Ndour, Girma T. Kassie
As climate change dismantles the systems that are critical to sustain humanity [1], the Global South, which is typically most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is emerging as an essential source of innovation for global food security. These innovations, a sample of which are described below, have proven impact, are scalable, low-cost, and adaptable across diverse agroecological and socioeconomic contexts.
1. Embrapa’s tropical soil transformation in Brazil
The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) developed methods to transform acidic, nutrient-poor tropical soils found in the Cerrado into highly productive farmlands [2]. These included large-scale application of lime to correct soil acidity, phosphorus fertilization to address nutrient deficiencies, and the development of tropical-adapted crop varieties suited to the region’s conditions [3]. Embrapa also developed acid- and aluminium-tolerant crop varieties, particularly soybeans, maize, and pasture grasses, that thrive under residual acidity and aluminium toxicity [3]. In addition, the organization promoted integrated management practices such as crop rotation, green manure cover crops, and conservation tillage, which improved soil structure and fertility, enhanced moisture retention and minimized erosion[3].
This initiative enabled Brazil to expand its agricultural frontier by converting degraded or underutilized areas of the Cerrado, rather than clearing tropical rainforest, thereby avoiding the more ecologically devastating deforestation typical of Amazonian conversion to monocultures. While such conversion still raises ecological concerns, Embrapa’s integrated approach focused on restoring soil health and minimizing environmental harm, offering a more sustainable model for tropical agriculture [4][3]. Of note is that the transformation of the Cerrado into productive farmland significantly expanded Brazil’s crop productivity, strengthened national food security, and generated new jobs and economic opportunities across the region. For instance, the Cerrado region produces over 60% of Brazil’s total agricultural output and is responsible for a similar share of the nation’s soy, corn, and beef production [5]. It is also a key contributor to international trade, as it is responsible for 22% of global soybean exports [3].
2. Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) in Niger
In the 1980s, Niger grappled with severe deforestation, land degradation, and reduced agricultural productivity as traditional farming practices prioritized clearing trees to maximize short-term crop yields. Amid this crisis, Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo observed that many seemingly barren landscapes still contained tree stumps with living root systems. He launched the Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) initiative that encouraged farmers to selectively prune, nurture and manage natural regrowth from these stumps to restore the trees without the need for costly reforestation efforts [6][7].
FMNR has revived an estimated 200 million trees across Niger and restored over 5 million hectares of degraded land. Soil fertility has rebounded, crop yields have increased, and biodiversity has flourished. The adoption of FMNR also contributed to socioeconomic development as it empowered farmers, helped reduce poverty, and improved their food security and climate resilience[8] [9].
3. Climate-smart floating gardens of Bangladesh
In southern Bangladesh, where seasonal flooding and waterlogging have made conventional farming difficult, local communities have revived and modernized an indigenous practice known as “floating gardens.” These are rafts made of water hyacinth and other aquatic plants, layered with compost and used to grow vegetables, spices, and seedlings including okra, amaranth, turmeric, ginger, and leafy greens. Each floating bed can support crop cultivation for 6–12 months, and can be relocated or reconstructed as needed, allowing for continuous crop production – even during the monsoon season.
Studies show that floating gardens significantly improve household food security and dietary diversity in waterlogged regions [10]. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recognized floating gardening as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), citing its adaptability to climate extremes, low input costs, and potential for replication in other flood-prone ecosystems [11].
4. Grassroots agroecology in Senegal & Burkina Faso
Across the Sahel, particularly in Senegal and Burkina Faso, farmer-led movements are embracing agroecological methods that integrate indigenous knowledge, crop diversity, and low-cost, climate-resilient practices.
In Senegal, organizations such as ENDA Pronat and local cooperatives have promoted practices like composting, intercropping, seed saving, and the use of botanical pesticides made from local plants. These low-tech, scalable agroecological solutions empower women farmers, promote seed sovereignty, and strengthen food security in rural communities [12]. Similarly, in Burkina Faso, farmers have implemented techniques like Zai pits – planting pits filled with compost to retain water – and stone bunds which effectively transform barren land into productive farmland [13].
5. Digital market access and supply chain efficiency
Entrepreneurial initiatives like Twiga Foods in Kenya [https://bit.ly/4nWhFaS] are using mobile technology to connect smallholder farmers directly with markets, reducing their dependence on traditional intermediaries. These digital platforms improve the efficiency of otherwise fragmented supply chains, reducing post-harvest losses and boosting farmer incomes through fairer pricing and more predictable demand [14].
Global stakes
The innovations examined across the Global South show that low-cost, decentralized strategies that regenerate land, embed technology into informal economies, and treat farmers as co-innovators rather than passive recipients can be very effective. These are not stopgap measures, but structural innovations grounded in ecological intelligence, indigenous knowledge, and local agency. The lack of investment in these grassroots innovation systems /models is not because of a gap in evidence that shows they work, but because of a failure in political will and imagination.
Agricultural innovations developed in the Global South can offer significant insights to inform development interventions and policy initiatives to solve contemporary food security challenges. Realizing their full potential, however, depends on the world’s willingness to learn from, invest in, and scale these solutions.
References
[1] Saleem et al., ‘Securing a sustainable future: the climate change threat to agriculture, food security, and sustainable development goals’, J.Umm Al-Qura Univ. Appll. Sci., Jul. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s43994-024-00177-3.
[2] Pereira, G. B. Martha, C. A. Santana, and E. Alves, ‘The development of Brazilian agriculture: future technological challenges and opportunities’, Agriculture & Food Security, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 4, Apr. 2012, doi: 10.1186/2048-7010-1-4.
[3] Valera, T. C. T. Pissarra, A. M. da Costa, L. F. S. Fernandes, and F. A. L. Pacheco, ‘The soil conservation agenda of Brazil: A review of “edge-to-edge” science contributions’, Science of The Total Environment, vol. 954, p. 176355, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176355.
[4] Lopes and L. R. Guimarães Guilherme, ‘Chapter One – A Career Perspective on Soil Management in the Cerrado Region of Brazil’, in Advances in Agronomy, vol. 137, D. L. Sparks, Ed., in Advances in Agronomy, vol. 137. , Academic Press, 2016, pp. 1–72. doi: 10.1016/bs.agron.2015.12.004.
[5] Newsroom, ‘Environmental Protection and Food Production in the Cerrado Could Create $72bn for Brazil’, Modern Diplomacy. Accessed: Jul. 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/02/28/environmental-protection-and-food-production-in-the-cerrado-could-create-72bn-for-brazil/
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[7] ‘Tony Rinaudo’, Wikipedia. Apr. 27, 2024. Accessed: May 01, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tony_Rinaudo&oldid=1221098509
[8] ‘How farmers in Earth’s least developed country grew 200 million trees’, Environment. Accessed: Jul. 18, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/how-farmers-in-earths-least-developed-country-grew-200-million-trees
[9] Chomba, F. Sinclair, P. Savadogo, M. Bourne, and M. Lohbeck, ‘Opportunities and Constraints for Using Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration for Land Restoration in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Front. For. Glob. Change, vol. 3, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.3389/ffgc.2020.571679.
[10] Chowdhury and G. A. Moore, ‘Floating agriculture: a potential cleaner production technique for climate change adaptation and sustainable community development in Bangladesh’, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 150, pp. 371–389, May 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.10.060.
[11] ‘Floating Garden Agricultural Practices’, GIAHS. Accessed: May 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.fao.org/giahs/around-the-world/detail/bangladesh-floating-gardens-system/en
[12] Bottazzi and S. Boillat, ‘Political Agroecology in Senegal: Historicity and Repertoires of Collective Actions of an Emerging Social Movement’, Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 11, Art. no. 11, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.3390/su13116352.
[13] Carroll II, K. R. Wilson, B. L. Rogers, J. Coates, and T. S. Griffin, ‘Appeals to environmental protection and farmer adoption of sustainable natural resource management – A case study of Kaya, Burkina Faso’, Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 376, p. 124415, Mar. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124415.
[14] ‘Technology Connects Kenyan Smallholders with Market Access | Global Agriculture and Food Security Program’. Accessed: May 22, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.gafspfund.org/projects/technology-connects-kenyan-smallholders-market-access
Authors
Oluwadara Alegbeleye is microbiologist with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Email: o.alegbeleye@cgiar.org.
Adama Ndour is a data scientist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Email: adama.ndour@cgiar.org.
Girma T. Kassie is a principal agricultural market economist with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) based in Rabat, Morocco. Email: g.tesfahun@cgiar.org.
This work was carried out under the CGIAR Initiative on One Health (Protecting human health through a One Health approach) and the CGIAR Science Program on Policy Innovations. Authors would like to thank all funders who supported their researches through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund (www.cgiar.org/funders).