Livestock farming is practiced by at least 80% of the rural population and plays a key role in Mali’s economy. It contributes about 12% to the country’s GDP. Approximately 85% of Malians own small ruminants, especially women. Unfortunately, low productivity and marketing constraints limit the ability of ruminant livestock to provide a secure livelihood. Over 30 million sheep and goats
The current rise in global market prices for major food commodities almost mirrors that of the 2008 food crisis, presenting a worldwide threat to food security. The situation is particularly severe in Africa, where the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Russia-Ukraine crisis have exposed the vulnerability of food systems to major shocks, particularly in countries like Nigeria that rely heavily on
June 9, 2022, Kathmandu, Nepal – Participants at a high-level meeting in Kathmandu have agreed on strengthened alignment between CGIAR and Nepal’s research and innovation agenda, with a commitment to support Nepalese institutions to respond to growing threats to food systems. The CGIAR Research Initiative Introduction and Stakeholder Dialogue held on June 9 also saw the inception of a concrete research
Aquatic food systems have transformative potential for sustainable development. They offer diverse solutions for tackling malnutrition, lowering the environmental footprint of our food systems and lifting millions of people out of poverty. Ultimately, a sustainable and equitable transition to aquatic food-based diets can deliver better outcomes for both people and planet. Read more
Kate Dreher, Data Manager at CIMMYT, presents to scientists, technicians, data management and support teams during the training on the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo: Susan Umazi Otieno/CIMMYT) Scientists overseeing breeding, principal technicians and data management and support staff from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) learned about the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) at a
As we discussed in our previous post, fertilizer prices have increased drastically, +230%, since May 2020. Now—driven upward by supply disruptions stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict—they are nearing the peak reached in August 2008 during the last major food price crisis. Spiking fertilizer prices are likely to have major impacts on agriculture and food production—and thus, food security—around the world, as
Plantain (Musa spp.) is a staple food crop and a key source of income supporting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, pests and diseases, synthetic chemicals, and climate variation threaten its production and productivity. A recent study titled “Subterranean Microbiome Affiliations of Plantain (Musa spp.) under Diverse Agroecologies of West and Central Africa” published in Microbial