Nora Hanke-Louw (International Water Management Institute), Susan MacMillan (ILRI Emeritus Fellow and CGIAR Communications Consultant), Agnes Schneidt (CGIAR Portfolio Performance Unit) Failure is one of the few certainties in life, yet it remains one of the hardest things to discuss. Whether in science, innovation, or scaling innovations in agrifood systems, failure often carries an unwarranted stigma, seen as a sign
By Ankita Tiwari and Bushra Humaira Women in South Asia are transforming the landscape of rice farming. They are not just cultivating rice; they are leading a movement, embracing improved varieties, pioneering seed enterprises, and empowering their communities in the face of climate challenges. With the support of IRRI and local partners, they blend traditional wisdom with modern innovations, paving
A two-week international training program on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Research for Development concluded on 21 March 2025 at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The initiative aimed to equip participants with tools to integrate gender-responsive approaches into research and policy. The training was organized under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)
India, the world’s top rice exporter, declared an export ban on non-basmati non-parboiled white rice in July 2023, causing concerns on food security across the globe. As many African countries import more than 100,000 MT of non-basmati white rice from India, the continent became vulnerable to India’s trade restrictions. Researchers at the International Rice Research Institute and their collaborators
The Akinyele Local Government Headquarters in Moniya, Oyo State, recently hosted a critical training session on food safety, drawing over 60 participants from the informal sector. Organized by Food Safety for Africa (FS4A) in collaboration with Radio IITA, the training aimed to equip farmers, traders, food processors, and transporters with essential skills to enhance food quality and safety. The Chairman of Akinyele
The Hague, Netherlands – March 4, 2025 The CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program aims to accelerate the widespread use of research-based innovations by supporting CGIAR, its partners and investors to design, finance, and implement scaling efforts to achieve lasting impact. On March 4, 2025, a hybrid meeting in The Hague co-hosted by the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP) brought together stakeholders
Water is indispensable in agriculture, accounting for approximately 70% of global freshwater use. It is used for irrigation, livestock, and processing agricultural products. However, at the same time, 3.2 billion people lie in one-fourth of the world’s crops (mainly rice, wheat, and maize), where water supply is severely stressed or highly variable. The growing demand for food, increased competition for
by Bushra Humaira Sadaf, Ahmad Salahuddin, Gio Karlo Evangelista, Manoranjan Mondal On World Water Day 2025, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) highlights the critical need for research-driven solutions in rice farming to optimize water use. As the global population rises and freshwater resources become increasingly scarce, investing in water-efficient technologies is one of the most essential interventions for sustaining