Gathered in Nairobi on 31 March and 1 April 2025, approximately thirty key actors in the Beans for Women Empowerment (B4WE) initiative mapped a new course for Eastern DRC’s bean value chain. The retreat set four priorities: widen the supply of biofortified seeds, accelerate agronomic and digital innovation, deepen women’s economic power, and weave conflict sensitivity throughout field operations
Amidst the challenges of drought, climate change, conflicts, and other shocks that significantly impact food security and livelihoods globally, the importance of early and anticipatory action has gained significant traction. This is particularly crucial in aiding pastoral communities in preparing for crises, underscoring the vital role of early warning systems in enhancing resilience. During the CGIAR Science Week at the
In Mali, the climate crisis is visible in the fields, markets, and public budgets. Decreasing yields, rising prices, and unpredictable seasons place family farms under constant strain. To respond to this triple environmental, economic, and social emergency, the Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT reactivated the Climate-Smart Agriculture Coordination Framework (CCASA) on February 26, 2025. Public institutions, universities, farmers’ organizations, the private sector, and
Four minutes to present. Five more minutes to answer questions. Only one chance to convince the jury. So began the Demo Day of CircularEconomy4Colombia, on March 11 at the EAN University in Bogota. Representatives of ten startups that are committed to transforming ‘waste’ into opportunities took the stage to present their ideas in a Shark Tank-type format. There were no
Vihiga County has adopted a new Agroecology Policy, marking a major step towards sustainable food systems through local leadership, farmer participation and science-backed practices, with support from the Alliance of Bioversity International and partners. Vihiga County has officially launched its Agroecology Policy, achieving a key milestone towards promoting sustainable food systems. As farmers in the county face growing pressure from
On 10 April 2025, global experts gathered at the CGIAR Science Week with a shared purpose: to explore how digital transformation can revolutionize agriculture in the face of growing global challenges. From artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time data pipelines to farmer-first innovations, CGIAR Accelerator on Digital Transformation Strategy Dialogue showcased bold ideas and concrete actions to future-proof food, land, and
By Eliot Jones-Garcia May 14, 2025 This is the first installment in a new blog series from the IFPRI-led initiative AI For Food Systems Research. A related webinar series will begin with a June 5 genAI skills workshop for researchers. Amid the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in agricultural research, policy, and extension, this project brings together researchers and practitioners across
At the heart of South Asia lies one of the world’s centers of crop diversity. Where 60% is dominated by agriculture, India’s sprawling landscapes nurture a rich variety of many legumes, tubers, vegetables, fruits, and spices. This wealth in crop and genetic resources proves that the farm-to-table sector remains the lifeblood of a largely rural population. While the Indian