Blogs – Page 17

Collaboration across the seed system value chain

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on April 8, 2024. Posted in Blogs.

Collaboration among diverse seed value chain actors is essential to improving seed systems for dryland crops in Kenya and contributing to food security in an era marked by climate change. This holistic approach is essential at a time when sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly becoming pertinent in semi-arid and high-potential areas, as emphasized by participants attending a multi-stakeholder seed systems meeting in Nairobi.

The Kenya Drylands Crop Seed Systems Workshop in February 2024 brought together various stakeholders from the agricultural sector, including farmers, policymakers, researchers, and the private sector. The main aim of this meeting was to identify practical ways to address critical challenges in the seed system for key dryland crops—pigeon pea, chickpea, groundnut, millets, and sorghum—essential to the livelihoods of millions in Kenya. Organized by CIMMYT and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), this collaborative effort aimed to gather insights and jointly develop a seed systems strategy to strengthen a seed supply system that matches grain demand for these essential grains.

A group photo of the participants in the Kenya Drylands Crop Seed Systems Workshop. (Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)

While moderating the discussion, Patrick Ketiem, director of agricultural mechanization research at KALRO, highlighted the importance of the situation. “The demand for drought-tolerant dryland crops and varieties is a clarion call for breeders to innovate further,” he explained. This reflects a broader trend across the country, where even high-potential areas are shifting to dryland crops in response to unpredictable weather patterns.

Addressing farmer needs

The workshop allowed participants to delve into the intricacies of seed systems, from varietal preferences to market readiness, highlighting the importance of collaboration among breeders, distributors, and farmers. Moses Siambi, CIMMYT’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the importance of integrating passion with science to make a tangible difference in the lives of farmers. “Our work is not just about developing varieties,” Siambi remarked. “It’s about improving livelihoods and ensuring that the benefits of our research reach the smallholder farmer,” he explained, emphasizing the broader impact of CIMMYT’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity, food security, and livelihoods in the face of climate change.

Moses Siambi, CIMMYT’s regional director for Africa, engages in a conversation with a participant. (Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)

Chris Ojiewo, partnerships and seed systems lead at CIMMYT, explained the vision for the Dryland Crops program, referencing the journey of the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) project, which was a culmination of a decade of research aimed at introducing new, diverse, and farmer-preferred crop varieties to farming communities through a variety of seed delivery models.

“The essence of our endeavor is to ensure that the genetic gains from our breeding efforts result in real benefits for the farmers,” he said. “Developing seed varieties with the end-user in mind is crucial to ensure that crops not only reach the farmers but also meet their specific needs effectively.”

Chris Ojiewo, partnerships and seed systems lead at CIMMYT, provides insights on the future of the Dryland Crops program, leveraging ten years of research from AVISA. (Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)

Improving seed systems

The workshop discussions also highlighted the importance of innovation in seed delivery models and the need for increased investment in the dryland crops sector as essential strategies for addressing current challenges and capitalizing on new opportunities. Investment decisions will be guided by granular data on local grain demand, enhancing seed production planning. Additionally, insights from institutions such as the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and the State Department of Agriculture, consolidating per capita consumption data, will aid in determining the requisite seed supply per capita. Moreover, there is need for a mechanism for facilitating knowledge through consolidating data from existing projects that tackle comparable challenges related to food security and seed accessibility.

Lusike Wasilwa, crops systems director at KALRO, who represented the organization’s director general at the event, stressed the importance of seeds in agriculture. “From genes to gains, our focus is on developing climate-smart, nutritious crops that not only enhance soil health but also ensure food security in Kenya,” Wasilwa said. She further highlighted the importance of soil health and market development in achieving sustainable food production in arid and semi-arid lands, promoting biodiversity, and sustainable land management practices.

Lusike Wasilwa, the crops systems director at KALRO, who represents the organization’s director general at the event, emphasizes the importance of seeds in agriculture. (Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)

Cross-cutting issues

The workshop also addressed regulatory and control measures in seed production with Stellamaris Mulika, principal seed inspector from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), highlighting the importance of stringent quality control measures to ensure the dissemination of quality seed of superior crop varieties.

The importance of gender inclusivity and youth engagement in agriculture was also acknowledged, reflecting women and youth’s critical role in legume and cereal variety selection, diversifying seed sources, and meaningfully contributing to the seed value chain. Veneza Kendi, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), proposed several interventions to increase investment capacity for farmers and aggregators, mainly from the assurance of high yields from certified seeds to farmers, serving as a motivation.

Gloria Mutheu, a seed merchant at Dryland Seed Company, highlighted the need for government support in investing in the grain sector, citing the school feeding program as an initiative to pull seed demand. Mutheu urged the government to expand the crop types in legumes and cereals, such as chickpeas, included in these school feeding programs to increase demand. This, she argued, would gradually establish an inclusive seed system for increasing uptake of these underutilized but opportunity nutrient-dense crops.

Gloria Mutheu, a seed merchant at Dryland Seed Company, and Veneza Kendi, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), discuss the vital role of youth in the seed systems value chain. (Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)

The consensus was clear: to enhance the seed systems for dryland crops, there must be collaboration across the entire value chain—from breeders to farmers, from policymakers to the private sector. This integrated approach is critical for Kenya’s climate change adaptation, food security, and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

Spearheaded by CIMMYT with financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the AVISA project seeks to improve breeding and seed systems of dryland crops, as well as the livelihoods of small-scale producers and consumers in sub-Saharan Africa. CIMMYT is leveraging this opportunity to advance research and expand its influence through its 2030 strategy that shapes the future of agriculture as a driver of food and nutrition security, and climate resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural development.

Nevada Researcher Aims to Improve Sorghum Hybrids for Dairy Cattle Feed

Written by dmedina on April 8, 2024. Posted in In the media.

Melinda Yerka, a researcher from the University of Nevada, Reno, is collaborating with CIMMYT, focusing on enhancing sorghum hybrids for better dairy feed, utilizing her breakthroughs in sorghum breeding alongside CIMMYT’s agricultural expertise. Their joint efforts aim to develop sorghum varieties with higher protein and starch content, suitable for diverse climates, particularly in Africa. This partnership underscores a strategic approach to global food security, leveraging sorghum’s adaptability to support sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

Read the full story.

Sow, grow, and thrive: a pathway to improve cassava farming in Zambia

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on April 5, 2024. Posted in Blogs.

For decades, women farmers like Maureen Bwalya from the Musa camp in Kasama district of northern Zambia, have upheld the tradition of cultivating cassava on ridges. These small piles of soil created by hand hoes, 30-50 cm tall and 50 cm wide are intended to reduce water logging and facilitate cassava growth. But forming row after row takes a significant amount of physical labor. Establishing ridges follows a traditional practice known as chitemene, a Bemba word which means “place where branches have been cut for a garden.”

Chitemene, a slash and burn technique once common in Zambia, involves cutting down standing trees in the Miombo woodlands, stacking the logs, and then burning them to create a thick layer of ash believed to enhance soil fertility. The ashen fields are initially cultivated with pearl millet and followed by crops like cassava. As years progressed, this method has been associated with adverse environmental impacts disrupting the ecosystem balance due to increasingly shortened fallow and recovery periods. However, with the ever-changing climate, Bwalya and other farmers recognize the need for sustainable practices that require less labor.

Alternatives to the traditional methods

Since childhood, Maureen Bwalya, a mother of seven from Musa Camp in the Kasama District of northern Zambia, has dedicated her life to cassava farming. Thriving under very low fertility and acidic soils, cassava has offered a lifeline amid the challenges of rural agriculture. When the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project was introduced in the northern province, where cassava is a strategic crop, Bwalya saw a valuable opportunity for change to cultivate better practices that not only improve cassava yields but also replenish soil fertility in her fields.

“When I started these trials, it was a tough transition,” said Bwalya, reflecting on her journey. “Shifting from ridge planting to flat land cultivation posed its challenges as this practice was new to me. But with time, I have learned the advantages of intercropping: increased yields, less labor, and enhanced productivity, all of which enrich my farming practices.”

Maureen Bwalya gazes through her plot. (Photo: CIMMYT)

Implemented over the last five years by CIMMYT, in collaboration with FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture, SIFAZ aims to advance the intensification of farming practices and catalyze widespread adoption among farmers in Zambia. In the Musa camp, key partners took on the challenge of advancing better farming techniques with cassava. Their collective objective was clear: to identify methods that minimized labor intensity while maximizing yields. Through rigorous trials, including comparing flat land planting against traditional ridge systems and experimenting with intercropping cassava with common beans and groundnuts, promising results have been seen.

The outcomes yielded thus far have been nothing short of inspiring across farmers. It has become clear to farmers and researchers that cassava planted on flat land, particularly within a Conservation Agriculture (CA) framework, was not only feasible in high rainfall areas but also yielded significantly higher returns. Despite observing fewer root structures, the roots themselves proved to be robust and weighty, ultimately translating to increased productivity for smallholder farmers. Furthermore, farmers have confirmed that cassava from the CA plots tastes better than the one from the ridged portions.

“As a cassava trial implementer,” Bwalya said, “I undertook various trials exploring intercropping cassava with beans and groundnuts, across both flat and ridge systems.”

Thriving and innovating

Her six-hectare plot has become a hub of experimentation, with 0.3 hectares dedicated to the ongoing trials. Encouraged by the successes and promising yields witnessed on flat land, Maureen extended these sustainable practices to the remaining expanse, intercropping maize with cassava. Her results have been noticed, drawing the interest of over fifty neighboring farmers, inspired by her flourishing plot.

As the harvesting season approaches, Bwalya faces no shortage of opportunities to market her produce. From cassava cuttings to nutrient-rich leaves and tubers, she never runs short of eager buyers in local markets, ensuring a steady income for her family.

Navigating through the different trials across the Kasama district, pockets of adoption in some farmers’ fields are noticeable. Through collaborative partnerships and community engagement, SIFAZ strives to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools stemming from the trials to become more food secure in the face of evolving climatic challenges.

Successful surveillance results in early first detection of Ug99 in South Asia

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on April 3, 2024. Posted in News.

Successful global wheat disease surveillance and monitoring has resulted in early detection of wheat stem rust Ug99 in Nepal. A combination of vigilant field surveys and sampling by Nepal’s National Plant Pathology Research Centre (NPPRC) and National Wheat Research Program (NWRP), supported by rigorous and accurate disease diagnostics at the Global Rust Reference Center (GRRC), Denmark, resulted in confirmed detection of the Ug99 strain named TTKTT. The long running and sustained surveillance efforts undertaken by NPPRC and NWRP, including off-season surveys, proved vital in the detection of Ug99 in Nepal. Confirmed results were obtained from two field samples collected in early November 2023 from off-season summer wheat crops in Dolakha district, Nepal. Repeated experiments and high quality pathotyping and genotyping at GRRC confirmed the results.

“The combination of molecular genotyping of incoming samples, without prior recovery in our laboratory and independent diagnostic assays of recovered stem rust isolates, confirmed the presence of Ug99 and a highly virulent race variant termed TTKTT,” says professor Mogens Hovmøller, leader of the GRRC at Aarhus University in Denmark.

Suraj Baidya (NPPRC) and Roshan Basnet (National Wheat Research Program) undertake field surveys at Dandunghe, Dolakha, Nepal. (Photo: CIMMYT)

Ug99 was first detected in East Africa in 1998/99, and its unique virulence sparked fears that a large proportion of wheat cultivars globally would be at risk from this potentially devastating disease. The international wheat community came together through the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI) to address the threats posed by Ug99. The BGRI partners have successfully monitored the evolution and spread of Ug99 and bred hundreds of resistant wheat varieties that are now being grown at scale in priority wheat growing regions. Migration of Ug99 from Africa to other regions, including South Asia, was always seen as likely due to the transboundary nature of the disease and long-distance dispersal of rust spores by wind.

Detection of a Ug99 race in Nepal is not therefore a surprise, but it highlights the effectiveness of the wheat rust surveillance and monitoring systems that have been developed. The disease was present at extremely low levels in the fields in Nepal, and early detection is one of the main factors in preventing disease spread. Other factors also contribute to reduced risk. The wheat on which the Ug99 race TTKTT was detected were fodder crops and cut soon after the surveys were completed, which prevented further buildup of disease. In addition, no wheat is grown in the main season in these areas, with farmers shifting to cultivation of potato (a non-host crop for stem rust).

According to Suraj Baidya, senior scientist and chief of NPPRC, “Extensive follow up surveys in the Dolakha detection area by NPPRC in the 2023/24 main season resulted in no wheat being observed and no detection of stem rust.” Similarly, extensive surveys by NPPRC throughout other wheat growing areas of Nepal in the 2023/24 main season have resulted in no reports of stem rust in the country. To date, extensive surveys in other countries in South Asia (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan) have not detected stem rust in 2023/24.

Although the current risk of stem rust outbreaks is considered to be low, detection of the Ug99 race TTKTT in Nepal is a clear reminder of the threat posed to wheat production in South Asia by the incursion of virulent stem rust races or other plant diseases of concern. “The spread and risk from transboundary diseases like stem rust is increasing,” says Dave Hodson, leader of the Wheat Disease Early Warning Advisory Systems (DEWAS) project at CIMMYT. “Sustained and increased surveillance efforts are needed across the region and expanded to include other important emerging diseases.” Successful deployment of Ug99 resistant cultivars through the BGRI partners, including CIMMYT, ICARDA and NARS, has decreased vulnerability, but it is important to note that the race TTKTT is a recently evolved variant of Ug99 with additional virulence compared to the original strains. As a result, not all cultivars in South Asia may have effective resistance today. Screening of germplasm and major cultivars from South Asia against TTKTT at the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)/CIMMYT international stem rust screening nursery in Kenya is extremely important to get an accurate picture of current vulnerability.

The details of the diagnostic confirmation of Ug99 in Nepal are available at the GRRC website (see GRRC lab report)

Work on wheat disease surveillance and monitoring, plus breeding of resistant varieties is being supported by the DEWAS and AGG projects funded by BMGF and FCDO, UK.

Key partners –

National Plant Pathology Research Centre (NPPRC), Nepal. Contact: Suraj Baidya (suraj_baidya222@yahoo.co.in)

National Wheat Research Program (NWRP), Nepal. Contact: Roshan Basnet

Global Rust Reference Center (GRRC), Aarhus University, Denmark. Contact: Mogens Hovmøller (mogens.hovmoller@agro.au.dk)

Cornell University. Contact: Maricelis Acevedo (ma934@cornell.edu)

CIMMYT. Contact: David Hodson (d.hodson@cgiar.org)

A community leader in Baliakandi inspires women empowerment in agriculture: Promila Rani Mondol

Written by Nur-A-Mahajabin Khan on April 3, 2024. Posted in Features.

Thirty-three-year-old Promila Rani Mondol lives in Baliakandi Upazila in Bangladesh with her husband, four daughters, and mother-in-law. The family’s main source of livelihood is agriculture. Promila has become a successful machinery solution provider (MSP), under the USAID-funded Feed the Future Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia–Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA-MEA). She and her husband are the main earning members of the family.

In Rajbari district, around 100 miles away from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, agriculture is the primary livelihood for the community. Farmers engage in crop cultivation across three different seasons, focusing on crops such as rice, wheat, maize, jute, mustard, spices, and vegetables. In 2014, Promila’s family had barely two acres of cultivable land, and her husband was the sole breadwinner. Their average monthly income was US $91, which made it challenging to cover everyday expenses. To increase their family income, she began assisting her husband in crop production activities by planting seeds of jute, maize, wheat, mustard, and spice crops.

In 2014, the family became involved with the CSISA-MI project. Initially, they owned a power tiller. The project assisted them to purchase a power tiller-operated seeder attachment for land cultivation and line sowing. In 2018, Promila received training in line sowing techniques, including seed calibration using the power tiller operated seeder (PTOS) machine which was equipped with a starter kit. She began line sowing Rabi crops such as wheat, mung beans, sesame, and mustard. During the Kharif season, she engaged in line sowing jute.

After the launch of the CSISA-MEA in 2019, Promila participated in several activities including hands-on training on rice transplanter operation, one-acre mechanized rice transplantation demonstration by CSISA-MEA for her service business expansion, seedling raising training, two-day training on agricultural machinery operation maintenance and troubleshooting, and two exposure visits on rice transplanter service business models. With the assistance of CSISA-MEA, she organized several meetings to connect mat seedling (seedlings grown on a special mat or seedling tray), entrepreneurs, farmers, and MSPs, which led to the expansion of her business prospects. Additionally, CSISA-MEA linked her with the Department of Agricultural Extension, where she procured 1,750 seedling raising trays and 750 kg of seed support for mat seedling raising, significantly boosting her business growth.

In 2023, Promila bought a rice transplanter before Aman season (mid-July to mid-November-December) with a 50% government subsidy. CSISA-MEA helped her get the government subsidy and connected her with the VPKA foundation, which provided her with loan at a low-interest rate of 4%, along with a flexible repayment plan.

Promila Rani Mondol uses a rice transplanter to plant rice in the field in Rajbari, Bangladesh. (Photo: Asmaul Husna/CIMMYT)

During the Aman season, she provided rice transplantation services in 20 hectares of land benefiting approximately 150 farmers. During that season, her total earning was US $1,640. Additionally, in 2023, she earned approximately US $1,047 by line sowing aus rice and jute; and line sowing wheat, sesame, and mustard by PTOS during the Rabi season. Through her network of contacts with farmers across three blocks (shalmara, baliakandi, and nobabpur in Rajbari district), she offers machine rice transplantation services using the seedlings.

What sets her apart is not just her success as an MSP, but her commitment to breaking gender norms and inspiring other women in her community. Currently, with an annual income of US $2,276 and a profit margin of US$1,184, she has become a community leader, encouraging 15 other women to venture into farming and seedling raising services.

“With just one day of cultivation and seeding service, I can cover my daughter’s tutorial expenses for an entire month. The support from CSISA-MEA has made me more self-reliant as an MSP and increased my confidence in meeting family expenses,” says Promila.

Currently, 15 women in her community offer farming and seed planting services. Others, such as Sunita Rani, Niba Rai, Rakoli, Dipti, Mita, and Angoli, are inspired by her. While seven women can now operate the rice transplanter machine in the fields, others are showing an interest in the same. This is a significant and positive change in the community initiated by Promila.

Her impact extends beyond her own success; she has sparked a positive change in her community’s perception of women in agriculture. As the vice president of the MSP Networking Committee in Rajbari district, she continues to shoulder responsibilities, contributing not only to her family’s well-being but also to the larger narrative of women empowerment in Bangladesh.

New technologies to mitigate impact of drought

Written by dmedina on March 27, 2024. Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT is combating the effects of El Niño and climate change by fostering climate-smart agriculture, including drought-tolerant crops and conservation practices, to bolster smallholder farmer resilience and productivity. Through partnerships and sustainable farming innovations, CIMMYT aims to improve food security and adapt to environmental challenges, ensuring that advanced technologies benefit those most in need.

Read the full story.

Revolutionizing food security: Africa’s millet renaissance

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on March 26, 2024. Posted in News.

In a landmark initiative to bolster sustainable agriculture and food security, the consultative workshop ‘Bottlenecks to Expansion of Pearl and Finger Millets in Africa’ marked a pivotal step towards revitalizing millet cultivation across the continent. Spearheaded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with CIMMYT and the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA), a meeting held in Senegal united global experts to unlock the untapped potential of millets as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and food security in Africa.

The discussions included identifying the symptoms of the problem, underlying issues causing these symptoms, and the interventions needed to be implemented to address these issues. This collaborative efforts among national and international organizations including government bodies, research institutes, and NGOs, demonstrated the goal of revitalizing millet cultivation through partnerships.

A group photo of the participants in the ‘Bottlenecks to Expansion of Pearl and Finger Millets in Africa’ workshop in Senegal. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 the International Year of Millets to raise awareness of and direct policy attention to millets’ nutritional and health benefits and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions.

Long overlooked but brimming with potential, millets offer a sustainable solution for both farmers and consumers in terms of profitability, adaptability, and sustainability in farming, as well as healthier dietary options for consumers.

Lessons learned from India

India, a key player in millet production, provided valuable insights into millet cultivation and consumption, providing a potential model for Africa to emulate in its millet-related strategies.

To understand the growth of millets in India, the Indian Ambassador to Senegal, Naba Kumar Pal, highlighted the strategies used by the Indian government to raise awareness about millets as a nutritious cereal that contributes to food security and provides a nutritious dietary option aimed at eliminating hunger and improving nutrition in his opening remarks.

“The first step the government did was to rebrand millets from ‘coarse grains’ to ‘nutri-cereals’, a move that has significantly increased domestic consumption and market interest of millets in India,” said the ambassador.

Indian Ambassador to Senegal, Naba Kumar Pal, highlights the Indian government’s efforts to promote millets as a nutritional powerhouse. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)

In Africa, millets are under appreciated and not utilized as crops. They are often labeled as a ‘poor man’s crop,’ ‘neglected crop,’ or ‘orphan crop’. The negative connotations have, among other areas, influenced consumers’ perceptions. By changing the vocabulary from demeaning to empowering, millets’ image can be transformed from an overlooked option to a crop of choice in Africa.

The workshop also delved into policy advocacy and commercialization efforts in India, and how these strategies could be replicated in African contexts. Tara Satyavati and Dayakar Rao, representing Indian institutions, shared insights on millet production, nutritional evaluation, and the development of value-added products. The importance of policy intervention, such as increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for millets and including them in public meal programs in India, was discussed. These measures not only provided financial incentives to farmers but also increased accessibility and consumption among the general population.

The two asserted that “millets offer a sustainable solution for both farmers and consumers in terms of profitability, adaptability, and sustainability in farming, as well as healthier dietary options for consumers.”

Millets are adaptable to diverse climates, have low water requirements, and provide nutritional benefits. African countries, which face similar issues in terms of climate change and food security, can use millets as a crop to promote environmental sustainability and economic viability.

National and international collaborations

A panel discussion shed light on national and international initiatives that highlighted collaborative efforts in crop improvement and millet innovations. On the national level, Hamidou Diallo from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Equipment, and Food Sovereignty of Senegal (MAERSA) outlined a multi-pronged approach for Senegal. These approaches included increasing millet production, providing high-quality seeds, equipping local producers with essential tools and equipment, providing fertilizers to farmers, and expanding the overall cultivated areas of millet. These efforts represent a focused approach to leveraging agricultural innovation in millets to improve livelihoods and income for small-scale farmers.

“Aligning with the needs of the local community ensures the initiatives are impactful and resonate with the agricultural landscape and community needs,” he emphasized.

Insights into the international initiatives included discussions on innovative initiatives in the Dryland Crop Program (DCP), presented by Dryland Crops Program Director and Wheat Program Director Kevin Pixley, included the establishment of the African Dryland Crops Improvement Network, gene editing, a legumes mining project and the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) project, that will include millets as a prioritized crop.

“We need to find innovative ways to reach more farmers with options to improve their livelihood and popularize millets across different market segments,” said Pixley.

From left to right: Damaris Odeny (ICRISAT India), Geoff Morris (Colorado State University), Douglas Gayeton (co-founder of The Lexicon), Hamidou Diallo (MAERSA, Senegal), Kevin Pixley (director of the Dryland Crops Program), and Makiko Taguchi (FAO), engage in a panel discussion on the importance of national and international initiatives in promoting crop improvement and millet innovations, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving agricultural progress.

Other topics covered included insights from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) innovation lab on sorghum and millets, emphasizing the importance of African-led projects and addressing the knowledge gap between African and U.S. researchers.

The pioneering role of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), particularly in agri-business incubation, was noted, along with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement, managed by USAID and Cornell University efforts in fostering regional collaborations.

Makiko Taguchi of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) emphasized the importance of global engagement in promoting millets as a sustainable and nutritious food source for global food security and agricultural development and highlighted the various initiatives and projects born of the International Year of Millets. Douglas Gayeton, co-founder of The Lexicon emphasized the role of effective messaging in changing people’s perceptions of millets. He underscored the importance of shifting away from terms like ‘neglected’ and ‘orphaned’ crops to more positive empowering language that resonates with consumers and policy makers.

CIMMYT’s role in dryland crop innovation

Recognizing the ever-evolving needs of society at large, CIMMYT began an initiative to advance research and broaden its impact by implementing the Dryland Crops Program. This approach is based on CIMMYT’s 2030 strategy, which will shape agriculture’s future as a driver of climate resilience, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural development, and food and nutrition security, all while meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Africa 2063 by promoting food security, improving nutrition, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

The meeting underscored the immense potential of millets in Africa to contribute to a resilient and nutritious future, reinforcing the need for continued collaboration, innovation, and investment in this vital crop. With the right mix of policy support, technological innovation and market development, millets could be the key to Africa’s resilient and sustainable agricultural future. The workshop concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to collaborate and implement innovative practices to enhance the growth of the millet sector in Africa.

How maize seed companies use market intelligence

Written by dmedina on March 26, 2024. Posted in In the media.

In a pioneering effort led by CIMMYT, the “Hybrid Maize Seed Marketing in Kenya” workshop has become a catalyst for innovation within Kenya’s maize seed industry. This landmark event brought together representatives from seed companies, agro-dealers, and other key stakeholders, fostering collaborations that have since ignited transformative changes. From revitalizing marketing strategies to introducing early maturity maize varieties, the workshop’s outcomes are shaping a more responsive and sustainable seed market. CIMMYT’s role in facilitating these industry advancements underscores its commitment to agricultural development and farmer support, setting the stage for continued progress in Kenya’s maize sector.

Read the full story.

A tale of two worlds: contrasting realities in southern and northern Zambia during El Niño

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on March 22, 2024. Posted in Blogs.

From the densely lush landscape of Zambia’s northern province to the arid terrain of the south, a stark reality unfolds, intensified by El Niño. Zambia’s agriculture faces contrasting realities yet potential lies in adaptive strategies, a diversified crop basket, and collaborative initiatives which prioritize farmers. Despite persistent challenges with climate variability and uneven resource distribution, the country navigates unpredictable weather patterns, emphasizing the intricate interplay between environmental factors and adaptation strategies.

A healthy maize and groundnut stand in the northern Province (left) and a wilting maize crop in the southern Province (right). These photos were taken two days apart. (Photo: Blessing Mhlanga/CIMMYT)

Unpacking El Niño’s impact in Zambia

El Niño presents a common challenge to both southern and northern Zambia, albeit with varying degrees of intensity and duration. The 2022/2023 season had above normal rainfall amounts, with extreme weather events, from episodes of flash floods and flooding to prolonged dry spells, especially over areas in the south. In the 2023/2024 season, the southern region has already experienced irregular weather patterns, including prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures, leading to water scarcity, crop failures, and significant agricultural losses. Although the growing season is nearing its end, the region has only received less than one-third of the annual average rainfall (just about 250 mm). Dry spells of more than 30 days have been experienced and, in most cases, coincide with the critical growth stages of flowering and grain-filling. A glance at farmers’ fields paints a gloomy picture of the anticipated yield, but all hope is not lost.

In contrast, the northern province stands out receiving above-average rainfalls beyond 2,000 mm, providing a different set of challenges for crop production. In this region, incidences of waterlogging are prominent although the effects are not as detrimental as the drought in the southern province. In general, crops in the northern province promise a considerable harvest as compared to the ones in the southern province.

Maize stover and its competing use

The scarcity of resources in southern Zambia extends beyond water availability, with the competition for maize stover, a valuable byproduct used for animal feed which can also be retained on the soil surface for fertility improvement and soil moisture conservation. With limited access to alternative fodder sources, farmers face challenges in meeting the nutritional needs of their livestock while maintaining soil fertility and conserving moisture. The struggle to balance the competing demands for maize stover underscores the complex dynamics of resource management in the region. This is further worsened by the low maize stover yield expected due to the dry conditions.

Implementing fodder trials, which include cultivating fodder crops like mucuna and lablab, intercropped or rotated with maize, offers a lifeline to farmers. While maize crops may wilt under the stress of El Niño-induced droughts, leguminous crops such as mucuna, lablab, cowpea, and groundnuts exhibit resilience, thriving in adverse conditions and providing a crucial source of food, feed, soil cover, and income for farmers. The ability of legumes to withstand environmental stressors highlights the importance of crop diversification in building resilience to climate change and ensuring food security in vulnerable regions.

Conversely, in northern Zambia, the abundance of agricultural resources allows for a more sustainable utilization of maize stover. Farmers have greater access to fodder alternatives and can implement integrated farming practices to optimize the use of crop residues. This enables them to mitigate the adverse effects of soil degradation and enhance livestock productivity, contributing to the resilience of their agricultural systems.

Use of more climate-smart crops

Drought-tolerant cassava grown in the northern province. (Photo: CIMMYT)

In southern Zambia, maize stands as the main crop, often supplemented with the integration of some leguminous crops integrated to some extent, to diversify the agricultural landscape. However, the relentless and longevity grip of El Niño has taken a negative toll on maize production, despite efforts to cultivate drought-tolerant varieties. As the dry spell persists, maize plants at the critical tasseling and silking stage face an uphill battle, as the dry and hot air has adversely impacted pollen and silk development.

The dissimilarity with the northern province, where cassava thrives from abundant water, is striking. This resilient crop, known for its drought tolerance, presents a promising alternative for farmers in the southern province grappling with erratic rainfall patterns. As climate change continues to challenge traditional agricultural practices, exploring resilient crops like cassava may offer a lifeline for communities striving to adapt and thrive amidst adversity.

In response to these radically different realities, the Sustainable Intensification of Farming Systems (SIFAZ) project, a collaborative effort of CIMMYT with FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia, and the CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa, also known as Ukama Ustawi, have jointly promoted sustainable intensification practices to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers.

The SIFAZ project is designed around the idea that strip crops and intercrops can add nutritional and economic value to Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems for smallholder farmers in Zambia. While traditional yield metrics provide some insight across the several intercropping treatments being tested on-farm, the true benefits of these cropping systems extend beyond mere output. SIFAZ recognizes the diversification synergy, emphasizing that “two crops are better than one.”

However, the outcomes of the SIFAZ project and the CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa have varied over the years between the two regions, reflecting the discrepancy in their agricultural landscapes.

Notably, regional differences in the adoption and success of these cropping systems have become apparent. In the northern province, crop-centric approaches prevail, leading to a higher concentration of successful crop farmers. Meanwhile, in the southern province, mixed systems that incorporate mixed crop-livestock systems achieve desirable effects. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring agricultural interventions to suit the specific needs and conditions of diverse farming communities.

Navigating the complex challenges of climate change requires a multifaceted approach that acknowledges the unique realities of different regions. By embracing adaptive strategies, harnessing indigenous knowledge, and fostering collaborative partnerships, Zambia can forge a path towards a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future, where farmers thrive despite the uncertainties of a changing climate.

Bargaining for Better: How gender roles in household decision-making can impact crop disease resilience

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on March 21, 2024. Posted in Publications.

‘A better understanding of the links between gender roles in household decision-making and the adoption of technologies can enhance the uptake of innovations in smallholder farming systems,’ concludes a recently published paper by CIMMYT. The paper connects women’s bargaining power in households with the adoption of rust resistant wheat varieties, based on the work of Accelerating Genetic Gains in Maize and Wheat (AGG) in Ethiopia.

“While an emerging body of literature finds positive correlations between women’s influence in household decision-making and socioeconomic, health, and nutritional outcomes, few studies have analyzed the links between intra-household decision-making and the adoption of agricultural technologies,” said Michael Euler, agriculture research economist at CIMMYT.

A case study in Ethiopia

For this study, researchers used a dataset from Ethiopian wheat-producing households.

Ethiopia is the second-largest wheat producer in Africa, with an aggregate grain production of 5.5 million metric tons and 4-5 million farmers engaged in cultivation. The Ethiopian Highlands are a hot spot for wheat rust. With recurrent epidemics in the last decade, the emergence of new strains of wheat rust increased production risks. On the positive side, farmers seem to be responsive to the management of rust diseases. Rust-resistant bread wheat varieties, released since 2010, have been widely adopted by smallholder farmers across Ethiopia.

The CIMMYT study surveyed 1,088 wheat-producing households in Ethiopia to analyze the links between women’s role in household decision-making concerning crop production and the adoption and turnover rates of rust-resistant wheat varieties. Female and male members from the same households responded separately, which facilitated capturing individual perceptions and the intra-household dynamics in decision-making.

Farmer Shumuna Bedeso weeds her wheat field. (Photo: Peter Lowe/CIMMYT)

Intra-household decision-making arrangements and wheat varietal choice

Overall, the study reveals a positive association between women’s role in decision-making regarding the selection of wheat seed and the adoption of rust-resistant wheat varieties and wheat varietal turnover. Findings may be related to differences in risk aversion between women and men farmers. While women farmers may tend to advocate for the adoption of rust resistant varieties to avoid potential financial difficulties that arise from purchase of fungicide in the growing season, men farmers may be more inclined to adopt high yielding varieties and use fungicides to combat rust within the season.

Spouses may agree or have different opinions regarding their decision-making roles. Spousal agreement on the woman having a role in making crop variety decisions is associated with higher adoption rates compared to spousal agreement that the woman has no role. Joint decision-making with mutually uncontested spousal roles may yield better outcomes due to larger combined exposure to information, as well as spousal discussion and reflection on potential implications of the varietal choice decision.

Conclusion: It is about negotiation, contestation and consensus

Household decisions, including the decision to adopt agricultural technologies often result from negotiation, contestation, and consensus between wife and husband. This process is shaped by diverging interests, motivations and objectives, while its results are determined by different levels of individual bargaining power. “Our findings indicate that women’s ownership of agricultural land and household assets is strongly associated with their active role in household decisions on wheat varietal choice, and with spousal agreement,” said Moti Jaleta, senior agricultural economist at CIMMYT. The dynamics in intra-household decision-making are likely to influence households’ adoption of agricultural technologies.

Disregarding the dynamics in decision-making implies that households are unilateral decision-makers, a scenario which probably does not hold true considering the level of spousal disagreement regarding their roles and influence in choosing crop varieties. A deeper understanding of the connections between gender dynamics in household decision-making and adoption choices can enhance the efficiency of public extension systems, increase the adoption rates of modern innovations, improve agricultural productivity, and enhance livelihoods in smallholder agriculture.

Read the complete paper here.

Bridging gender gaps by nurturing women scientists

Written by mcallejas on March 20, 2024. Posted in In the media.

Lourine Bii, 33, is a pioneer as the first female technician at the Kiboko Plant Breeding Station. Moving from KALRO to CIMMYT, she is independently managing trials and breaking gender barriers in agricultural research. Her journey illustrates the importance of inclusivity and empowerment in shaping the future of agriculture.

Read the full story.

A marine engineer embarks on making life easier for farmers in his native village, by establishing a one-stop shop agri-business center

Written by Nima Chodon on March 19, 2024. Posted in Features.

On the northern banks of the Ganges lies the city of Begusarai, in India’s Bihar State. Amid the expected structures of a city—temples and transit hubs—is a five-acre business hub dedicated to agriculture. This center, called the Bhusari Cold Storage Center, includes a 7,000-ton cold storage facility for vegetables, a dry grain storage area, outlets for farmer inputs and outputs, a farmer training center, a soil testing laboratory, and a farm implement bank. The brainchild of Navneet Ranjan, this facility works in collaboration with state partners, CIMMYT, and the Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project.

In the decade since its formation, the center has served nearly 100 villages in and around Begusarai, helping thousands of smallholder farmers access equipment, knowledge, and seeds they otherwise do not have access to.

“Since coming to the center I have not only benefited in using mechanized services at a small price but also learned about new schemes and incentives provided to smallholder farmers by the government,” said Ram Kumar Singh, a farmer from the village of Bikrampur. A similar story was related by Krishadev Rai from the village of Sakarpura, who said the laser land leveler machine at the center dramatically lowered costs associated with irrigation and other inputs, including information about different fertilizers and varietal seeds available at the market.

Farmers from the region have benefited immensely from the services of the center. According to Anurag Kumar, a CIMMYT senior research associate with CSISA, “The existence of the state-of-the-art center in the last decade has helped over 25,000 smallholder farmers avail themselves of services and information on farming and agriculture.” He said the center has also helped promote conservation agriculture technologies, implement climate-resilient farming practices, and build the capacity of smallholder farmers.

Ranjan, a native of the region, is a marine engineer by education but has diversified experiences from different sectors. A decade ago, Ranjan returned home after pursuing higher education and working in distant cities in India and abroad.

Ranjan met recently with CSISA representatives to share his motivation, hopes, and aspirations about the reach and impact of the Bhusari Center for farmers of Begusarai and beyond.

How did the Bhusari Agri-business center, popularly known as Bhusari Cold Storage, come into being?

In 2012, driven by a deep-rooted desire to bridge the significant societal gap between my professional advancements in the corporate world and the enduring struggles within my rural hometown in Bihar, I founded the Bhusari Agri-business Center. The name “Bhusari” was thoughtfully chosen, as it represents approximately 50 villages in the area, traditionally, and collectively known by this moniker, underscoring our commitment to the region’s agricultural heritage and community.

From the start, we knew we wanted our center, born from a combination of my family’s initial investment and funding secured through a State Bank of India loan alongside a significant subsidy from the Government of Bihar, to serve as a comprehensive agri-business solution. We designed this project not only as a business venture but as a social enterprise aimed at improving the livelihoods of local farmers by ensuring better returns for their produce, disrupting the traditional agricultural value chain that often left them exploited.

The establishment of Bhusari Cold Storage stands as a testament to the potential of marrying native understanding with professional management to foster socio-economic development in rural areas.

During an interactive session with progressive farmers, Ranjan listens to a farmer express his expectation from the Bhusari center. (Photo: CIMMYT)

What has been your biggest achievement with the establishment of Bhusari Cold Storage?

If I were to pinpoint our most significant achievement, it would be the creation of the farm implement bank. This initiative has helped revolutionize the agricultural landscape for the small-scale farmers in our area by providing them with access to modern farming equipment.

Before the inception of this bank, many farmers in our region faced challenges because of outdated farming techniques and the lack of access to modern machinery, which often resulted in inefficient farming practices and high operational costs. Introducing zero tillage, planters, harvesters, and especially the laser land leveler, has been a game-changer. This farm implement bank has also popularized the use of advanced agricultural technologies among the farming community. The positive effects of these modern farm implements have been many, including reduced labor costs, improved crop yields, and more sustainable farming practices.

How has a project like CSISA and other partners supported farmers and the efforts of agri-entrepreneurs like you in the region?

The support from CSISA and its partners has helped enhance the capabilities of farmers and bolster the efforts of agri-entrepreneurs in the region. CSISA’s contribution, particularly through its project scientists and field technicians, has been pivotal in training farmers. This collaboration has led to a significant increase in awareness and adoption of advanced agricultural implements and practices, including zero tillage and land levelers, among the farming community.

The center has conducted extensive training programs for many farmers, thanks to the resources, knowledge, and technology facilitated by CSISA, the State Department of Agriculture, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). This partnership has enabled us to disseminate knowledge and tools to the farmers and drive the adoption of innovative farming techniques that lead to higher efficiency and reduced costs. The collaboration with CSISA and state partners has been a cornerstone in our mission to modernize agriculture in the region, making significant strides towards sustainable farming practices, and enhancing the livelihoods of the local farming community. Through these collective efforts, we have been able to empower farmers with the skills and technologies necessary to thrive in a competitive and evolving agricultural landscape.

Navneet Ranjan with Sarah Fernandes, CIMMYT global communications manager (2nd from left), during her visit to the Bhusari Cold Storage center with CSISA colleagues. (Photo: CIMMYT)

What do you hope for next for Bhusari or other endeavors in agri-business to support smallholder farmers?

Looking ahead, our vision for Bhusari and future agri-business endeavors deeply focuses on empowering smallholder farmers by enhancing their access to financial resources and tailored agricultural solutions. By addressing the financial barriers that often hinder farmers’ ability to invest in their operations, we aim to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in the agricultural sector. A key priority is to streamline the process so that these farmers can obtain credit lines and working capital more efficiently.

Additionally, recognizing farmers’ diverse needs and challenges in different regions, we are committed to making customized farm implements more readily available. These tailored tools are essential for increasing agricultural efficiency and productivity, as farming practices and conditions vary greatly across regions. To complement these efforts, we plan to expand our training programs and provide more customized knowledge to farmers.

Ultimately, the aim is to scale up this model and create several other replicable projects across Bihar and beyond. By demonstrating the success of these initiatives, we hope to inspire and facilitate similar transformations in other regions, fostering a more sustainable, efficient, and prosperous agricultural landscape for smallholder farmers.

Cover photo: Founder Navneet Ranjan (5th from right) and CIMMYT colleagues with beneficiary farmers at the Bhusari center in Begusarai, Bihar. (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT)

PARC pioneered, climate resilient wheat varieties

Written by dmedina on March 19, 2024. Posted in In the media.

The “Sino-Pak Research Activities on Wheat Genomics” seminar, featuring CIMMYT-CAAS China’s Prof. Dr. Zhonghu He, highlighted the CIMMYT’s contributions to enhancing wheat genomics for better productivity and food security. Hosted by PARC at NARC, the event underscored advancements in breeding technologies and molecular markers, aiming to develop climate-resilient wheat varieties and foster Sino-Pak collaboration in agricultural research and innovation.

Read the full story.

New edition of Scaling Scan emphasizes on sustainable and equitable impact

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on March 14, 2024. Posted in News.

The third edition of Scaling Scan, a user-friendly tool that helps teams reimagine innovation scaling processes, was launched in February 2024.

Developed six years ago by CIMMYT and partners, the tool assesses the status of ten scaling ‘ingredients’ such as business models, finance, evidence, public sector governance, etc. that are considered critical to achieving a scaling ambition. The tool highlights what project teams need to pay attention to on the journey to reach scale. It emphasizes the need to think strategically about potential scaling bottlenecks right at the beginning of the project.

The new edition incorporates feedback across users from voluntary organizations, CGIAR, and private companies, and responds more effectively to climate change and gender inclusivity challenges.

Features of the new edition: inclusive, socially responsible, and accessible

The third edition was developed by subject matter experts from CIMMYT, SNV the Netherlands, the Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Alliance of Bioversity International and Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).

There is more focus on scaling innovation as a means to contribute to food systems transformation with an upgrade on systems check. Users can go through the x-curve to reflect on what dominant technology or practice can be scaled down to make space for CIMMYT’s ‘innovation of interest’.

The upgraded tool takes into consideration social responsibility, acknowledging intersectional trade-offs for the beneficiaries when they scale innovations. It helps reflect upon who will win or lose from the scaling of these innovations, and how the scaling ambition can also include capacity-building and equality.

The parameters of environmental responsibility, which previously focused on how to use resources, now also includes an analysis of potential trade-offs and risks of scaling innovations.

Researchers and program managers still use linear approaches to scaling which are not suitable for complex development problems such as hunger and poverty. The latest edition improves the equity of scaling. The new edition is also more accessible and user-friendly; the interface is upgraded and is available in English, Spanish, and French

The new version includes updated tools to help users further analyze and plan their scaling strategies by strengthening their lowest ingredient.

There is also a workbook and a digital tool that can be used for both online and on-site settings. Check out the material and a forum to exchange opinions and questions on the application of the tool on the Scaling Scan webpage.

What’s next?

Coming up is a paper to help users learn more about previous experiences of organizations, academics, and practitioners using the Scaling Scan by collating the learnings of the past six years. It includes the analysis of the tendencies of the Scaling Scan results that have been used in different countries around the world, which can be useful for future enabling conditions assessments of innovations.

There is also an online course coming up which will train and certify users as a Scaling Scan trainer. Try the Scaling Scan tool today!

Acknowledgements

Intellectual collaborators from FAO, GIZ, and The Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT for their support in developing the third edition of the Scaling Scan.
CGIAR Low-Emission Agriculture Initiative (Mitigate +) for helping develop the workbook.
AgriLAC Initiative for the publication of the six years of experience in Scaling Scan.
DX Digital Initiative for support in developing the Scaling Scan course.