News Overview

On the second day of CGIAR Science Week 2025, IRRI continues to highlight its leadership in harnessing and scaling science and innovation through rice research worldwide. In the science talk, “Transformative Partnerships for Sustainable Agriculture: Scaling Innovation, Strengthening Seed Systems, and Strengthening Climate Resilience,” Dr. Ajay Panchbhai, IRRI’s Regional Breeding Lead – East and South Africa, emphasized the power

by Danica Louise C. Sembrano IRRI researchers link food availability and access as key factors influencing diet, nutrition, and health in rural food environments of low- and middle-income countries. This calls for interventions focused on reducing unhealthy food options and making nutritious foods more available and accessible. Behind every meal is a food environment—homes, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods —spaces where various

A new CGIAR Insight to Impact Policy Champions Network recently met to deliberate on what needs to change for food systems science to better align with, respond to, and inform global, regional, and national policies. There is a stark gap between science and policy, and it is hampering progress on hunger, poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. Policymakers driving

Through training delivered in collaboration with partners—including ‘Union Pour L’emancipation de la Femme Autochtone’ (UEFA), ‘Initiative des Femmes Pour la Promotion de la Paix et le Developpment’ (IFPPD), and the ‘Beans for Women Empowerment’ (B4WE) project in Eastern DRC, funded by Global Affairs Canada—Mrs. Furaha (a farmer and mother of four) broke the cycle of inequality and violence that had long affected her household.

Sudan Conflict Conference Supported by the CGIAR’s Science Programs on: Policy Innovations and Food Frontiers and Security Hybrid Event April 14 to 15, 2025 Nairobi, Kenya 9:00 – 5:00 pm (Africa/Nairobi)  2:00 – 10:00 am (US/Eastern)  11:30 – 7:30 pm (Asia/Kolkata)    Register Today The Sudan conflict, now entering its third year, continues to devastate the country’s socioeconomic fabric.

by Kazuki Saito and Iris Bugayong Rice is not just a crop—it is the backbone of economies, cultures, and food security across Asia. In Japan, a recent rice shortage has brought this reality into sharp focus. Prices have spiked, supermarket shelves are being emptied, and public concern is rising. The causes—climate-induced weather disruptions, a surge in tourism-driven demand, and speculative

The municipalities of Santa Rita (department of Copán, Honduras) and Olopa (department of Chiquimula, Guatemala), are located in the Central American Dry Corridor region, characterized by irregular rainfall, high susceptibility to climate variability, and, according to IPCC models, high vulnerability to climate change. These challenges will be critical for farmers due to the effects that climate has on cash

Training Equips Researchers to Support Smallholder Farmers with Climate-Smart, Sustainable Agriculture A new wave of agricultural innovation is taking root in Southern Africa as researchers are empowered with advanced skills in crop modeling to support Circular Food Systems (CFS). To strengthen decision-making tools for smallholder farmers, a five-day intensive training workshop was held from 17-21 March 2025 at the ICRISAT