LOS BAÑOS, Philippines (9 June 2025) – Countries in the Asia Pacific region are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events that threaten agricultural production and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Staple crops like rice, wheat, and maize are highly exposed to these challenges and are expected to
LOS BAÑOS, PHILIPPINES (9 June 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and CGIAR, with support from the Gates Foundation, today launched a new initiative to boost investments in sustainable and low-carbon rice production with the aim of improving the lives of millions of vulnerable smallholder farmers across Asia and the Pacific. Rice is the lifeblood of the region.
Kenya submitted its first Biennial Transparency Report ahead of the December 2024 deadline, showcasing progress in climate change action. A May 2025 review will assess data clarity. The report was co-developed with stakeholders to guide resilience and adaptation. Kenya took a major step forward in climate transparency and resilience-building with the successful submission of its first Biennial Transparency Report
In Rwanda, smallholder farmers are building resilience to climate change and market challenges by growing beans, fruit trees and keeping bees. Supported by the BRAINS project and partners, this effort is increasing food security, income and sustainability nationwide. In the heart of Africa, on the rolling hills of Rwanda, smallholder farmers are learning not just to weather the storm,
The Vietnam National Institute of Animal Science, with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), held a forum to mark World Food Safety Day on 7 June 2025. This year’s theme was Food safety: Science in action. The event welcomed more than 200
While high-level policy discussions are crucial, the true measure of a livestock master plan lies in its impact on the ground, which requires effective implementation. A recent learning visit to Tanzania by officials from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, facilitated by the livestock master plan team of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), offered powerful insights into how strategic
Breakthrough cultivar ICPV 25444, developed through speed breeding, tolerates temperatures of 45°C during summer growth. It is the first of its kind in the world, and a boon to India, offering resilience amid intense summer temperatures. In a significant advancement for Indian agriculture, scientists at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have developed ICPV 25444—a first-of-its-kind pigeonpea cultivar that
Juergen Voegele & Yvonne Pinto “Have you had your rice today?” In Viet Nam, this everyday greeting reflects just how central rice is to life—so essential that the day doesn’t truly begin until people have eaten a few mouthfuls. Half of humanity eats rice. But behind the ubiquitous staple lies a mounting crisis. The global rice industry is experiencing