Telangana, India (18 June 2025) – To help combat zinc deficiency and improve nutrition through staple foods, a new high-zinc rice variety, Spoorthi (GNV 1906), is being distributed to farmers in India following its official release for commercial cultivation. IRRI, ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR), and University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, conducted a training/seed distribution program in Raichur, Karnataka,
In the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, soil is more than just dirt. It is a dynamic, living ecosystem that supports crop growth and health, regulates water and nutrient cycling, and contributes to climate change action. Recognizing this, scientists from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, under the CGIAR Initiative on Nature Positive Solutions conducted a soil baseline study
Strategic collaboration to scale innovation and deliver harmonized, high-quality support across CGIAR partners’ breeding networks in South Asia The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) will serve as the South Asia hub for Breeding Resources, part of CGIAR’s Breeding for Tomorrow (B4T) Science Program, which provides shared tools and services to accelerate crop improvement and agricultural innovation.
Thriving Landscapes, Vibrant Futures Blog Series #1 The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program (MFL SP) is driven by a bold vision of thriving, biodiverse, low-emissions, and healthy landscapes, managed holistically to support both people and the planet. Achieving this vision means transforming how we produce food and steward ecosystems. This vision is operationalized by bringing together the collective strengths of
Digital agriculture is revolutionizing how we produce food. By integrating advanced technologies such as data analytics, machine learning, sensors, drones, GPS, and satellite imagery into traditional farming practices, digital agriculture aims to optimize crop production and resource use. As the global population increases and climate change pressures intensify, leveraging technology to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability is not just beneficial—it’s
Following her decision to conclude her tenure as Chair and Member of the Integrated Partnership Board (IPB) effective 1 July 2025, CGIAR extends its sincere thanks and deep appreciation to Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda for her four years of outstanding dedicated service. Since her appointment to the CGIAR System Board in 2021 and her elevation to Chair in 2023, Professor
by Dr. Proloy Deb and Dr. Swatantra Dubey The Central Plain region of Uttar Pradesh is widely known for its fertile soil and is now at the forefront of a pressing environmental concern: rapid groundwater depletion. Approximately 46 billion cubic meters (BCM) of groundwater resources were withdrawn alone in 2023, attributed to agricultural practices (Singh, 2025). This volume is
Iron-rich beans can be integrated into consumers’ diets to enhance nutrition and cognitive function, especially for children and youth. But how can this be achieved at scale? Schools represent a strong entry point. Accumulated evidence shows large-scale nutrition gains through collaborative efforts to integrate biofortified high-iron beans into school feeding programs across Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and the Democratic