In 2024, three researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT arrived in French Guiana following a warning sign: witches’ broom, a devastating cassava disease, may have crossed the ocean. This is the story of the expedition to hunt down the witches’ broom. For a long time, witches were figures of superstition, caught between popular fear and imagination.
What do a group of rice farmers, a family-run forage business, and a research hub have in common? When they combine their strengths toward a shared goal, they create fertile ground to grow, innovate, and overcome these challenges. Such is the case of the Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice (FLAR, for its Spanish acronym) and Grupo Papalotla, who,
By Inge Brouwer, Deanna Olney, Purnima Menon, and Julie Ghostlaw August 15, 2025 A nutrition-sensitive food system ensures equitable access to diverse, safe, and healthy foods that are both affordable and sustainably produced. Yet today’s food systems are failing to deliver on these key goals for billions around the world. They are also major drivers of climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and
Thriving Landscapes, Vibrant Futures Blog 3 of 4 Achieving socio-ecological gains at the landscape level requires coherent policies and robust institutions. Recognizing this, CGIAR’s Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program (MFL SP) collaborates with partners to align policies and strengthen institutions at sub-national, national and regional levels. The program builds on previous CGIAR and partner innovations in the policy arena, co-generating evidence
The bean pathology team of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT – in collaboration with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) – is committed to addressing the challenges posed by diseases and pests (D&P) in bean production. In recent years, the team has worked to align and leverage its collective expertise towards a common goal: updating and improving information on
By John Choptiany Climate change is here. It is real. African smallholder farmers – the backbone of food and nutrition security – are at the frontline. Battered by a ‘perfect storm’ of climate shocks—simultaneous extreme heat, droughts, floods, and rising temperature variability—smallholder farmers, particularly in rain‑fed systems, face mounting risks. They are often ill‑equipped to cope. Even with adaptation measures,
Rose-Marie Mingninou, a determined agricultural sciences’ graduate, was never destined for a traditional career. She had a passion for agribusiness and a clear vision: to innovate, create, and make tangible impact in her community. Her journey began with humble ambitions, selling imported goods to save money for her dream business. The pivotal moment came when she joined the ENABLE-TAAT program
Over the years, Professor Sanni has served in various leadership roles at IITA, significantly contributing to the advancement of agriculture in Africa. Today, he continues to lend his expertise to the institute in various capacities. This honorary doctorate not only acknowledges Professor Sanni’s remarkable achievements but also embodies the collaborative spirit that underpins the shared mission of building sustainable food