Changing the Menu In this case study, researchers examined the meal program offered at Volunteers Foundation Academy, where students typically receive a daily lunch of ugali (maize porridge) with a side of sukuma wiki (kale) or beans. While filling, these meals often lack essential nutrients. Using the World Food Programme’s School Meal Planner (SMP) PLUS software, researchers identified five neglected
In the vibrant city of Kigali, a quiet yet impactful revolution is taking place in 150 schools across the Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge districts. The school feeding program has embraced a sustainable and innovative approach that is transforming the way nutrition is delivered to students. Teachers and students from these schools are actively involved in cultivating high-iron beans, a key
In the wake of the escalating climate crisis, small-scale farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa face unpredictable weather patterns that threaten their yields, food security, and livelihoods. To address these challenges, the Enhancing Climate Change Resilience in East Africa (ECREA) project is working to empower farmers with Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) and agro-advisories. The ECREA project is funded by the
As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, the need for sustainable livestock practices has never been more urgent. In response to this, a multi-disciplinary team of international researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) have developed an integral framework for evaluating ecosystem services in
What do young people eat? Where do they eat? Why do they eat what they eat? The answers to these questions are shaped by their food environments: the collective economic, socio-cultural, physical, and political factors that influence food choice. Understanding how food environments are configured is helping our partners in Vietnam, Kenya, and Ethiopia identify opportunities and local solutions that
Zambian smallholder farmers are set to benefit from the BRAINS project, which integrates beans, bees, and fruit trees to address agricultural challenges. This climate-smart initiative will boost productivity, diversify incomes, and enhance resilience to climate change through sustainable practices and strategic partnerships. Belinda Kamwanga and her husband, residing in the peaceful countryside of Chongwe District, east of Lusaka, Zambia, have
Amid ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an innovative agricultural initiative is cultivating hope. Centered around beans—a vital and nutritious staple—the “Beans for Women Empowerment” (B4WE) project empowers local women farmers. By positioning women at the forefront of agricultural recovery, the program tackles the dual challenges of combating hunger and rebuilding communities. Conflict and Food
Over 3 billion people around the world suffer from hidden hunger, a condition where individuals consume enough calories daily but lack essential micronutrients like iron and zinc. Since 2002, researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (abbreviated as CIAT) have been breeding high-nutrient staple crops and finding ways to integrate them into popular