To mark of International Women’s Day, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT highlights the work of women crop breeders and agronomists who lead and advance agricultural research and development. Their work is essential to addressing current food security challenges and advancing toward more resilient and sustainable production systems.
Since 2016, Afriseed, led by Grace Mhango in Malawi, has built a regional bean seed system with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through PABRA, empowering women and youth farmers while supplying high-quality seed to southern African markets.
In a move set to accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops for some of the world’s most vulnerable farming regions, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, have launched a strategic partnership to deploy advanced Predictive Breeding technologies across dryland crop breeding programs in Asia and Africa.
Launched in March 2026, this partnership unites science, innovation, and local expertise to strengthen food systems, improve livelihoods, and scale climate-resilient solutions across southern Madagascar.
As climate variability, food insecurity, and data gaps increasingly challenge agricultural systems, building a new generation of skilled scientists has become critical for the future of food production in Zambia and beyond.
The Soil Values Program and the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel today announced a formal partnership. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to coordinate soil health interventions across West Africa and the Sahel. The partnership will enhance collaboration, minimize duplication of effort, and deliver lasting impact in the region.
The attack on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces and Iranian retaliation against U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf have roiled energy markets by disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—the Gulf’s only sea passage to the open ocean.
Mary Maritim’s Cherubet Foods Ltd in Nairobi, Kenya, with the support of PABRA, Sall Foundation and Global Affairs Canada, stabilized production of ready-to-eat bean products in 2026, boosting access to nutritious foods, farmer sourcing, and women’s employment.