On March 18, 2026, researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT took the stage at the Asian Development Bank's Asia and Pacific Food Systems Forum in Manila to make a pointed argument to national policymakers and development finance officials: the world does not have a policy problem. It has an implementation problem.
In cities such as Cali and across Colombia’s Pacific Coast region, chontaduro needs no introduction. It is more than a food: it is identity, history, and a local economy. It is part of everyday life, culture, and daily diets. Over time, its presence has not only been sustained but has also strengthened and expanded, progressively positioning itself as a crop with potential beyond its traditional consumption.
Lulseged Tamene Desta is Director of the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program.
Rodrigue Yossa is Director of the CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Program.
Dr. Timothy J. Krupnik is Director of CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact Program.
Could a fruit often considered “pig feed” or “crop residue” improve nutrition, protect biodiversity, generate income for farming households, and strengthen cultural identity? Discover here the case of chayote or guatila (Sechium edule) in Colombia.
CGIAR employs a rigorous quality assurance (QA) process to ensure that its technical reporting is accurate and backed by high-quality evidence. This is crucial for CGIAR’s transparency and decision-making and for its accountability to its many donors and partners. The QA process involves independently evaluating in a multi-round validation process the key results submitted by CGIAR research programs each year