News Overview

From September 29 to October 3, the Bioversity International-CIAT Alliance campus hosted the Korea-Latin America Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (KoLFACI), a multilateral initiative that promotes innovation and technological collaboration between Korea, Latin America, and the Caribbean. KoLFACI’s mission is to transfer advanced agricultural technology from CIAT (Palmira) to Latin American countries, with financial support from the Korean government, promoting

By Danica Louise C. Sembrano  In Nepal, where agriculture supports more than half of the population, having sustainable access to quality and well-adapted seeds before the cropping season begins can make a difference. Research shows that quality seeds alone can lead to a 20-30% increase in yields (Devkota and Shrestha, 2020). Yet for maize and wheat farming households in the

By Katrina Kosec October 14, 2025 The International Day of Rural Women (October 15) highlights the essential roles that rural women play in sustaining households, managing natural resources, and contributing to rural economies. Yet even as they participate extensively in agriculture and local organizations, women’s ability to influence the policies and institutions that shape their lives often remains limited. To design more equitable

by  Afrin Zainab Bi 1, Samira Choudhury 2, A.N.M. Faijul Kabir 2, and Prakashan Chellattan Veettil 1 The Challenge of Low Dietary Diversity in Rural South Asia Malnutrition, in its various forms including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies is a significant challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), despite significant advancement in food production and supply. Poor quality diets contribute

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is partnering with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya to improve access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food through innovations in markets, processing and waste management, fostering healthier urban diets. The 2025 World Food Day theme – “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future” – resonates strongly

The IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, led a high-level mission to Abuja to deepen collaborations with government institutions, development partners, and diplomatic missions towards advancing agricultural transformation and food security in Nigeria. During the mission, Dr Ehui held a series of meetings with key ministries and partners, emphasizing the importance of scaling agricultural technologies, fostering private sector

As global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) intensify, IITA–CGIAR is reinforcing partnerships to ensure that agricultural research delivers real-world impact. Leading this charge, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, engaged with Mohamed Malick Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, to chart strategies for advancing food security and agricultural innovation. During his recent

As part of strategic efforts to transform Nigeria’s livestock and agricultural sector through research collaboration, innovation scaling, and capacity development, IITA–CGIAR has reaffirmed commitment to support the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD). The partnership aims to enhance feed and fodder production, promote youth engagement, empower women, and integrate the One Health approach to ensure a sustainable and productive livestock ecosystem. The IITA