We are living in an incredible time of advances in genomics. Technology is revolutionizing how we understand the natural world. With the decreasing cost of genomic sequencing, researchers can now study larger numbers of plants and reimagine how we represent plant diversity. This allows for a more comprehensive approach, combining traditional visual classifications based on physical characteristics with an additional
On August 26, 2024, in Dakar, Senegal, a historic meeting marked a turning point in Sino-African relations and the global quest for sustainable food systems. The Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy (AGFEP) and the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) in Senegal (Alliance, IFPRI, AfricaRice, CIMMYT, ILRI, ICRISAT) convened to address pressing issues like malnutrition, environmental degradation,
En un mundo en constante transformación por factores naturales, económicos y sociales, la diversidad genética es clave para desarrollar nuevas variedades de cultivos y garantizar la seguridad alimentaria. ¿Cómo se conserva esta diversidad y se asegura su disponibilidad para futuras generaciones? La respuesta a estos desafíos está en la cooperación global facilitada por el Tratado Internacional sobre los Recursos Fitogenéticos
Kenya’s crop subsector plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, but it is also a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Key contributors to these emissions include land-use changes, fertilizer use, and crop residue management. Together, these agricultural practices release large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) into the atmosphere, which accelerates climate
The Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-use and Energy (FABLE) consortium brings countries together to identify pathways for achieving national and global biodiversity, food, climate and development goals in tandem. Results from FABLE show that achieving at least three targets (1, 3, 10) in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) depends on how food systems are managed between now and 2050. Our
The Multi-Crop Thresher Machines (MCTs) Initiative – funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA-Africa) and in collaboration with Imara Tech, Farm Africa, the Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AMDT), Rikolto, the Centre for Behaviour Change Communication (CBCC), Nafaka Kilimo and Kibaigwa Flour
Ghana’s rich agrobiodiversity is increasingly threatened by the decreasing use of traditional minor crops, which are becoming ‘neglect and underutilization species’. These crops – essential for rural livelihoods and food security – face genetic erosion and a lack of conservation. To address this, a pilot project has been launched to establish a community see bank in Ghana, co-led by the
Vitamin A deficiency is a major health issue in Uganda, especially affecting young children and women. This deficiency can lead to a weakened ability to fight disease, irreversible loss of sight, and even death. Although there are efforts to disseminate vitamin supplements and fortified foods, these solutions don’t always reach everyone. Bananas, which have a daily per capita consumption of