Ponds as a Lifeline in Mandla Mandla, in central India, is a land of contrasts, riverside banks, rolling hills, and drought-prone uplands shape its unique landscape. This undulating terrain provides an ecological setting where both seasonal and perennial farm ponds are part of the village fabric. For many communities here, ponds are more than just water bodies; they represent food
For many Pacific countries, access to locally available, diverse, and nutritious foods remains an uphill battle. With rising sea levels and frequent cyclones on one hand and transport and infrastructure limitations on the other, nations like Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are grappling with malnutrition. The persistent burden of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overnutrition underscores the need for rural communities to
Agriculture sustains humanity, but it also leaves a growing ecological footprint. Alongside climate change, agricultural pollution is now responsible for an estimated 14% of global biodiversity loss. This hidden crisis is reshaping ecosystems, water resources, and even human health; often in ways that remain unrecognized in policy and practice. The 8th International Farming System Design Conference (FSD8), held in Paris
By Thomas Falk, Ivo Steimanis, Lara Bartels, Vishwambhar Duche, Björn Vollan, and Ruth Meinzen-Dick September 29, 2025 Second of two blog posts on a recent study on a social learning game intervention in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Read the first here. Empowering women in decision-making is not just a matter of human rights; it is a key driver of sustainable development. When women’s
In 2003, with just 1,250 kwacha in hand, Cosmas Chachi began walking from house to house in northern Zambia selling clothes and household goods. It was tiring work for little money, but it was a start. By 2004, he had saved enough to rent a small shop. It was modest but gave him a fixed place to trade, and people
With support from the Government of Japan, and in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), ICARDA has set a new standard for sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions with completion of the Enhancing Agricultural Productivity project in Egypt, leaving a blueprint for further advancements through technological
Through partnership, the Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub for West Africa and the Sahel is developing a national soil information system for Liberia to boost productivity through improved soil health and appropriate use of fertilizers. The Regional Hub hosted a three-day workshop in Monrovia in August 2025, which was coordinated by the IITA and focused on developing a road map
By Futoshi Yamauchi, Teunis van Rheenen, and Eduardo Maruyama September 30, 2025 In an era marked by global economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, and ongoing conflicts, inclusive sustainable development remains essential to address instability, insecurity, inequality, and climate vulnerability in Africa. With this goal in mind, the government of Japan reaffirmed its commitment to “co-create innovative solutions with Africa” at the Ninth Tokyo International