News Overview

Primary Impact Area Nutrition, health & food security Related Impact Areas Regions

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in Ethiopia under the CGIAR Initiative on Mixed Farming Systems is collaborating with partners to introduce the FarmDESIGN tool to help farmers in Central Ethiopia Regional State design optimized and efficient farm plans for enhanced productivity and resource conservation. FarmDESIGN aims to strengthen sustainable intensification practices by giving farmers solutions such as optimizing the use

Ethiopia’s rural landscapes, the backbone of the nation’s economy, have long relied on mixed farming systems. However, as the population grows and climate change intensifies, these age-old practices have struggled to meet the increasing demand for food. To address this challenge, innovative agricultural solutions are crucial to empower farmers and ensure a sustainable future for mixed farming systems Mixed farming

Smallholder farming systems in Ethiopia are highly heterogeneous, diverse, and dynamic. Low yield, low soil fertility, and climate variability are problems faced by Ethiopian smallholder farmers that have an impact on food and nutrition security. Trade-offs can occur between productive, environmental, and socio-economic performance indicators. Therefore, capturing the heterogeneity of the farming system and analyzing trade-offs and synergies among various

In the small rural village of Khamergragram in Kishoreganj, Nilphamari Shahina Begum, once a full-time homemaker, has transformed her life through sustainable farming practices. With only 13 decimals of land, she runs a thriving household-based farm, contributing to her family’s livelihood and environmental health. Her journey started two years ago when she became involved in the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable

Engaging smallholder farmers in the co-design of agronomic innovations that improve decision-making and diversify farming systems is central to the Mixed Farming Systems (MFS) initiative in Malawi. The initiative focuses on intercropping systems with legumes—often regarded as “women’s crops”—to enhance both nutrition and soil fertility. Despite their significant contributions to farm labor, women often have limited control over land, assets,

As today’s interconnected world is faced with global challenges the need for synergy efforts between governments and development partners to leverage expertise, resources, and networks has become not just advantageous but imperative. Thus, the Basona Worena District Office of the Amhara Regional State convened with ICARDA-led small-scale animal feed processing project stakeholders on the ILRI Campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Multipurpose forages offer great potential for both smallholder and commercial farmers in Malawi. Gaining insight into synergies, adoption pathways and farmers perceptions is important for effective integration in mixed farming systems. Strong partnerships are essential to improve forage and feed systems, boosting livelihoods, income, environmental sustainability, and nutrition. This was the conclusion drawn at the recent national forages seminar hosted