News Overview

In Malawi’s Machinga district, irrigation and the AID-I initiative are helping smallholder farmers transform once-idle land into productive bean farms, boosting yields, incomes, and climate resilience year-round. In the early morning light of Mdere, a quiet farming community tucked into Malawi’s southern Machinga district, rows of green bean plants stretch across what was once parched, underutilized land. Hanifa Kondwani walks between the rows with

When Mary – a smallholder farmer in Runyenjes – first heard about Gender Transformative Socio-Technical Innovation Bundles (GTSTIBs) she wasn’t sure what to expect. Farming has always been tough. The rain was unpredictable, seeds were costly, and others made most decisions about what to plant or sell in her household. Through the pilot program, Mary decided to try something new. She

In Viet Nam rice is more than a staple crop—it’s a cornerstone of life and a major driver of the country’s economy. But its cultivation also accounts for a significant portion of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane. To meet its climate commitments, outlined in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Viet Nam needs a reliable way to measure,

A call to build strategic partnerships for a food-secure and sustainable future for over 2 billion people living in the drylands. Marking a critical turning point in addressing the escalating crises of climate change, land degradation, and rural poverty threatening semi-arid regions worldwide, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), launched its new Strategic Plan 2025–2030: Transforming

Read on about this milestone event to ensure that promising agri-food science-based innovations don’t remain on the shelf but create real, tangible value for people and the planet, and how to get involved for the next steps. The recent RAMP–Accelerate Bootcamp and Venture Showcase, hosted in Palmira, Colombia, marked a pivotal moment in the journey of nine science-backed ventures—each

Malawi is a country caught in a perfect storm. In 2024, Malawi’s GDP growth slowed to 1.8% due to a severe drought and acute foreign exchange shortages. The poverty rate rose to 71.2%. Malawi’s economy is in a deep and protracted crisis marked by elevated inflation, declining living standards, and high rates of food insecurity. Yet, behind these grim numbers,

Soil erosion is a silent crisis eroding Africa’s future. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), nearly half a billion hectares of land (494 million ha – an area larger than the entire European Union) is being degraded. The main culprit is soil erosion, stripping away vital nutrients from farmlands, threatening food production, and robbing the continent of billions of dollars every year. This document,

The demand for common beans is growing fast as more consumers embrace plant-based diets. Once mostly grown for household use, beans are now a commercial and export crop. As a nutritious staple rich in protein, fiber, and micronutrients — and a vital source of income for millions of smallholder farmers, especially women and youth across Africa — beans are central