Scientists in Uganda are using the MinION portable sequencer to study common bean genomics, aiming to improve breeding and adapt to pests, diseases and the impacts of climate change. This research, in collaboration with partners across East Africa, seeks to enhance food security and bean production. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are the fundamental molecules present in all living
Born in Nigeria, Dr. Nwanze began his four-decade-long career as a scientist, carrying out research on food and nutrition security at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and Kansas State University, USA. As the scope of his work grew, he held key leadership roles in agricultural development, including within the CGIAR partnership as the Director General of Africa Rice, during the
Cattle ranching in Colombia has been at the heart of the country’s agricultural economy for centuries, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods and national development. However, the sector has also played a profound role in the country’s armed conflict, where the dynamics of land ownership, power and violence are deeply intertwined. A recent study titled Land, cows, and bullets: An untold
Climate change poses a significant threat to the agriculture sector globally, with the livestock industry being a key player in both contributing to and suffering from the impacts of climate change. A recent study conducted by L&C provided a closer look at how Kenyan dairy farmers perceive and are prepared to adopt climate change mitigation strategies. The research focuses on
For many women, farming is more than just a livelihood: it’s a path to financial independence and better health for their families. In regions where malnutrition and economic instability remain challenges, the Nyota bean is tackling both of these by providing a high-value, nutrient-dense crop. By growing and selling the beans, women are securing better incomes, investing in their farms,
Agrobiodiversity is at the heart of Jai Chand Rana’s career, spanning more than three decades of research. Rana is the newest recipient of the prestigious Dr. L.C. Sikka Endowment Award for the Biennium 2023-2024 from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). Acting as the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT’s country representative since 2017, Rana along with Agrobiodiversity team of
The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is developing a new climate data toolkit with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), with support from the McKnight Foundation (a Minnesota-based family foundation that prioritizes investments in global collaboration for resilient food systems), that will enable researchers to analyze climate risks to better understand how farming systems respond to stress and shocks,
TraceFoodChain is a pioneering tool designed to help farmers, cooperatives, and supply chain actors—working across their own data and information systems—trace agricultural products from farm to market. The software provides a cost-effective option for smallholder farmers, supporting their access to global markets, with a special focus on enabling compliance with the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) by the end