News Overview

As part of the Facilities Upgrade and Mechanization Improvement, a CGIAR-Crops to End Hunger project funded by Germany through GIZ, the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Ghana’s leading agricultural research institution, has received a significant boost with the inauguration of a refurbished building. The upgraded facility enhances working space and provides solar-powered cold storage. This system will support the Institute’s storage of

By Jill Cairns, physiologist, CIMMYT, and Maureen Miruka GEYSI Director, CIMMYT  In Zimbabwe, CGIAR, through CIMMYT, runs a maize breeding program to strengthen food security and livelihoods in a country where maize is a staple crop. The program spans diverse testing plots – managed exclusively by men, women, or both – providing crucial insights into real-world farm dynamics. A significant

Arelene Julia Malabayabas, Melanie Connor, Katherine Nelson, Le Anh Tuan Rice mills in An Giang and Can Tho Provinces, Mekong Delta, Viet Nam. Viet Nam’s rice industry plays a crucial role in its agricultural landscape, providing livelihoods for millions and significantly contributing to the economy as one of the world’s leading rice exporters. At the heart of this industry’s success

Marie Claire Custodio, Jhoanne Ynion, Nese Sreenivasulu, Matty Demont, Hans De Steur A market experiment session in Metro Manila, Philippines. (Photo courtesy of IRRI) The global shift in food consumption patterns has contributed to the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries, including those in Asia, where most of the population relies on white rice for

Berber Kramer, Brendan Rice, Carly Trachtman The integration of market intelligence into plant breeding is essential for aligning genetic innovations with real-world demand. However, a new study highlights persistent barriers that hinder its effective use. Researchers surveyed more than 500 breeding professionals across CGIAR, national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), and small private-sector breeding enterprises to assess the adoption

Berber Kramer, Carly Trachtman, Jérémy Do Nascimento Miguel Investment decisions in agricultural research and development (R&D), particularly in plant breeding, often face significant ambiguity. Without clear market intelligence, funds may be spread across many breeding pipelines rather than concentrated in those with the greatest potential impact. A new study from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) explored how plant

Participants in the workshop for cowpea product design teams in Western Africa on September 29, 2024, in the IITA offices in Cotonou, Benin Republic. (Photo) Sika Gbegbelegbe, Dean Muungani Investments in crop breeding are usually expensive and take 7 to 10 years to yield results. However, market preferences tend to change over time due to various drivers including income changes,

Ruvicyn Bayot, Melanie Connor, Agnes Mbugua-Gitonga, Dehner De Leon, Neale Marvin Paguirigan, Arelene Julia Malabayabas Slow varietal turnover has been a challenge since breeding-investment decisions were largely informed by supply-side considerations rather than client needs. Hence, market intelligence is crucial for CGIAR breeding programs because it ensures that breeding efforts are demand-driven. CGIAR has demonstrated that investment in crop breeding