News Overview

Researchers explain the importance of seeds for diverse, underutilized crops in China, and suggest policy actions to increase access for smallholder farmers.

Colombo, August 20, 2021 With the world’s population set to grow beyond 9 billion by 2050, and with climate change making it harder to grow food in many areas, the Global South must find ways to increase food production while limiting or reversing its environmental impact. Despite this, only an estimated 7% of current innovation spending in agriculture explicitly targets

Aquatic food systems hold enormous potential for decent employment opportunities and livelihood outcomes for young people in Africa. Researchers urge for policies to recognize the equity, rights and agency of African youth to encourage their meaningful participation in the sector.  This opinion piece was written by WorldFish’s Global Lead for Nutrition and Public Health, Shakuntala Thilsted, and IWMI’s Research Officer, Indika Arulingam, and originally published by the Kenya Broadcasting

Although dams are critically important for Africa’s water security and economy, research has also revealed a public health downside to their development. These structures – so vital to addressing the continent’s climate crisis – often provide the perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes. This potentially undermines the continued progress of malaria eradication efforts, which over the past two decades has brought

Colombo, August 13, 2021 If the Global South is going to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), help stabilize global warming at well below 2°C, and protect its water resources, agriculture must innovate. Investing USD 15.2 billion more in innovation every year will bring a number of critical goals into reach and have life-changing benefits, according to a report from

By: Devinia Princess Akinyi, Stanley Karanja Ng’ang’aIntroduction: Alliance researchers summarize a recent analysis of various climate adaptation practices and recommend further actions to support smallholder farmers.

New research records national policy trends linking fish and other aquatic foods with public health. Researchers call for a systems policy approach to ensure aquatic foods tackle stubborn malnutrition rates. Read more

Hydrologist Wuletawu Abera grew up in a small-scale farming family in Ethiopia, now he’s uncovered findings that could help farmers sequester more carbon in the soil by applying different land management strategies. By: Andrew Wight