In a world where environmental and agrifood challenges demand urgent responses, the CGIAR-led Positive Solutions for Nature (Nature+) initiative is transforming agriculture into a catalyst for ecological regeneration and sustainable development.
In Colombia, CIMMYT has played a key role in implementing several activities under this initiative. These efforts have not only improved agricultural productivity but also promoted biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and the strengthening of rural communitiesâwith a special focus on youth, women, and native maize.
One of the first steps in Colombia was conducting a diagnosis and mapping key actors within agrifood systems across different regions. This assessment identified major challenges such as limited access to native seeds, soil degradation, and lack of access to fair market opportunities for smallholder farmers.
To ensure that promoted practices aligned with local realities and needs, CIMMYT worked closely with farmers to co-create solutions. A significant example was the support given to women producers to conserve native maize varieties. Workshops held in Cesar, Nariño, Putumayo, and Valle del Cauca included childcare spaces, enabling full participation by women.
Another important milestone was facilitating dialogue between producers and niche markets, helping connect farmers growing native maize with potential buyers. This has been key to revitalizing the value chain for these crops. In parallel, twelve community seed banks were strengthened in various regions, ensuring the availability of native varieties and encouraging intergenerational knowledge exchange.
CIMMYT also conducted extensive training activities, benefiting hundreds of farmers in the post-harvest management of native grains and seeds. In workshops held during 2023 and 2024, over 780 producersâmany of them womenâreceived training in practices such as harvesting, drying, shelling, and hermetic storage, which reduced post-harvest losses and improved seed quality.
Infrastructure improvements further supported these efforts. One standout example is the YEL-PUE Cumbe seed bank in Cumbal, Nariñoâestablished with support from CIMMYT and the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance. This seed bank not only conserves agricultural biodiversity but also serves as an intergenerational learning hub, where farmers, students, and technicians share experiences and knowledge.
While challenges remain, the implementation of Positive Solutions for Nature in Colombia has demonstrated that agricultural production can go hand in hand with environmental conservation and community well-being. Thanks to collaborations with research centers such as CIMMYT, many Colombian farmers are now adopting regenerative practices, enhancing agrobiodiversity and boosting resilience to both climate and economic shocks.
Looking ahead, these efforts will continue within the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program. CIMMYT, in collaboration with other CGIAR centers, will focus on participatory varietal selection, business models to enhance the value of agrobiodiversity, connections to niche markets, and the empowerment of women as agents of biodiversity conservation.
Agriculture lies at the core of rural livelihoods, yet longstanding social inequities havestifled the potential of marginalized groups– particularly women and youth– to fully benefit. The CGIAR Agroecology Initiative (AE-I) recognizes gender and social inclusion as critical pillars in achieving sustainable agricultural transformation. By embedding these aspects within its framework, AE-I ensures that marginalized groupsâespecially women and youthâplay a meaningful role in agroecology transitions. Â
Current realities on women and youth in agriculture
Women and youth are central to Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy, yet they remain underrepresented or excluded in decision-making processes and face barriers to accessing  critical resources. Globally, women make up about 48% of the agricultural labor force in Sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank, 2024), yet they consistently face challenges in accessing land, credit, and markets. In Zimbabwe, these disparities are even more pronounced. In Mbire and Murehwa districts, rural economic activities, including agriculture, rely heavily on women and youth. Women make up approximately 70% of the agricultural labor force (UNDP, 2024) in these regions, but they often lack control over resources needed to enhance productivity and economic stability such as land, credit, and markets. Â
Agroecology Living Landscapes and Gender and Social Inclusion Matter
Embedding gender and social inclusion (GESI) into agroecology is not just a moral imperative but a foundational requirement for achieving lasting and transformative impact. Traditional top-down development approaches have often neglected marginalized groups’ unique needs and contributions, resulting in unsustainable outcomes. In contrast, the AE-I prioritizes inclusive and participatory processes, exemplified by its Agroecology Living Landscapes (ALLs), which serve as collaborative spaces where community members actively co-create locally relevant solutions.  Â
Central to the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative (AE-I) is a commitment to “do no harmâsay no harm,” ensuring that the inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalized groups is safe, meaningful, and impactful. Including marginalized groups can disrupt existing power structures and opportunity hierarchies, so it must be done with contextual sensitivity. Young and old women are provided equal opportunities to participate in and contribute to the co-creation of innovations. However, systemic barriers-such as limited agency or entrenched gender norms-continue to hinder meaningful engagement. To address these challenges, AE-I collaborates with key stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MWACSMED), to advocate for gender mainstreaming. Concrete actions have included training programs, documentation of gender norms and their impacts, elevating women and youth role models, and ensuring equal participation in ALL activities. MWACSMED has evolved into a proactive stakeholder in this process. Initially a passive participant in ALL discussions, the ministry now plays a leadership role in addressing gender and social inclusion issues within the landscapes. This deliberate attention to GESI within ALLs has illuminated systemic barriers such as unequal access to resources, rigid cultural norms, and the exclusion of certain social groups.  Â
Conversations with farmers during ALLs meetings (Photo: CIMMYT)
Agroecology recognizes that inclusion is not merely about representation but about fostering environments where meaningful transformation can happen. For instance, cultural norms often limit the participation of women and youth in mixed-group activities. To address this, the AE-I initiated monthly “dialogues with elders,” engaging traditional authorities and community leaders to reconcile cultural traditions with transformative gender and social inclusion goals. These dialogues have yielded positive shifts in such perspectives. As one elder participant noted, “We value inputs from women and acknowledge their critical role in our community.” Â
The transformative impacts of AE-I’s inclusive approach are increasingly visible. Across Murehwa and Mbire districts, Agroecology Living Landscapes (ALLs) are reshaping community dynamics by empowering previously marginalized groups, such as elderly women, to contribute to agricultural innovation. Within some of the activities of the Initiative, women and youth engagement is quite impressive, with over 60% of participants in seed fairs and field days. These figures highlight the significant potential for expanding women’s and youth’s opportunities to advance agroecological goals through gender- and youth-focused interventions. It also demonstrates their eagerness to engage in knowledge-sharing opportunities. Such initiatives improve livelihoods and build women’s and youths’ agency as active contributors to agricultural innovations.Â
Inclusivity within ALLs is further is reinforced by low barriers to entry, emphasizing a willingness to learn and transform their crop and livestock production rather than asset ownership. This approach has expanded participation among resource-poor farmers, breaking down traditional exclusionary practices brought by other Donor programs. Â
As one farmer remarked, “In the past, only those with cattle or fenced homesteads could join such programs on transformative change. Now, even those of us without such assets can participate.” Â
Such practices have strengthened the confidence of marginalized farmers, enabling them to navigate complex production dynamics collectively.  Â
Building Economic Independence and Transforming Food Systems
The AE-I’s focus on inclusive value chains has begun to yield tangible economic benefits. In Mbire and Murehwa, women are transitioning from subsistence farming to economic independence by engaging in agroecological business models. For example, Sasso poultry farming has become a viable income-generating activity, allowing women to reinvest in their farm-level activities. Youth are also leveraging their involvement in agriculture to build assets, diversify income and nutritional sources, and secure a more stable future.Â
A critical challenge remains exploitative market dynamics that limit farmers profitability. Farmers have raised concerns about the informal urban markets, where asymmetric power dynamics and a lack of competitive pricing mechanisms enable buyers to dictate unfavorable prices. Middlemen in the poultry markets suppress prices by 40%, while unstructured sorghum buyers pay 20â30% below market rates, eroding farmers’ profitability. Â
Addressing these bottlenecks through cooperative-led marketing, digital trading platforms (e.g., Hamara App), and guaranteed off-take agreements ensures equitable economic participation and a resilient food system.Â
Drudgery and Women in Agri-Food Systems
The transition to agroecology offers both opportunities and challenges, particularly for women, who bear the brunt of agricultural labor. In many rural communities, women are responsible for labor-intensive activities, including land preparation, weeding, and post-harvest handling. Â
While agroecological practices promote sustainability and resilience, some approachesâsuch as conservation agricultureâcan initially increase women’s workload, exacerbating drudgery and limiting their time for other economic or social activities. Â
To ensure that agroecology transitions are both equitable and scalable, it is essential to integrate appropriate-scale mechanization that reduces labor burdens while maintaining ecological integrity. By embedding gender-responsive technologies into agroecological systems, AE-I can foster inclusive, productive and sustainable farming solutions.Â
Women in Murehwa receiving training on how to use the basin digger (Photo: CIMMYT)
To address this, the Initiative has facilitated the adoption of labor-saving technologies, improving access to mechanized solutions that ease women’s workload. In Mbire and Murehwa districts, 43 out of 95 women farmers now have access to basin diggers, significantly reducing the effort required to establish planting basins in conservation agriculture. Additionally, four multigrain threshers have been introduced in each district, enabling women to process small grain cereals more efficiently, cutting down the time spent on post-harvest handling. Â
These innovations not only alleviate physical strain but also increase productivity, allowing women to participate in value-added activities and play a greater role in decision-making processes within the food system. Â
By prioritizing appropriate-scale mechanization, the AE-I ensures that agroecology transitions foster inclusivity, sustainability, and economic empowerment for women farmers.Â
Wrap up
The CGIAR Agroecology Initiative’s work in Mbire and Murehwa provides a step forward for centering gender and social inclusion into agricultural development. Through participatory methods, inclusive partnerships, and a focus on actor agency and opportunity for behavior change, the Initiative has redefined what it means to build sustainable and equitable food systems. For donors, partners, and other stakeholders, the AE-I offers a compelling case for investing in inclusive approaches that transform agriculture and uplift entire communities. As agroecology continues to evolve, centering gender and social inclusion will remain vital for achieving sustainable, impactful outcomes. Â
As part of the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology, the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Mechanization and Extension activity participated in the 2024 Agroecology Fairs held in Murewa and Mbire districts on September 25 and October 17, 2024, respectively. The events provided valuable platforms to collaborate with the initiative and showcase different scaling pathways for mechanization within the context of sustainable, efficient farming.
(Photo: CIMMYT)
At the Mechanization and Extension activityâs exhibition stand, visitors explored an array of machinery specifically tailored to small-scale farming needs. Among the featured equipment were basin diggers, two-wheel tractors, multi-crop threshers, chopper grinders, trailers, and peanut butter processing machines, including a groundnut sheller, peanut roaster, and peanut butter-making machine. Each piece of equipment aligns with existing activities within the initiative to demonstrate practical solutions for improving labor efficiency and enhancing crop productivity which might be needed during agroecology transitions.
The basin digger drew significant attention, especially from farmers encountering it for the first time or wanting to know more about how they could become service providers. Designed for creating basins such as those established under the Pfumvudza/Intwasa conservation agriculture program, the basin digger can significantly reduce labor and time in land preparation, especially for those with limited access to manual labor.
The service provision model: a pathway to accessible mechanization
Participants interested in the service provision model received first-hand information on the benefits of the program and how they could sign up. The service provision model is a key part of the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Mechanization and Extension activity, designed to facilitate year-round access to mechanization services in farming communities.
Through this model, trained service providers are established locally, offering a range of fee-based services, including land preparation, crop management, post-harvest processing, value addition, and transportation. This model makes essential machinery accessible to farmers without requiring them to purchase it outright. To support the establishment of service providers, three financing options are offered:
Loan facility: Prospective service providers apply for a loan from BancABC, with a 30% initial deposit of the total machinery cost. Upon approval, the balance is paid directly to the machinery supplier, who then delivers the equipment.
Hire purchase agreement: Service providers may opt for a hire purchase arrangement with the manufacturer, where machinery is provided after an agreed deposit, with the remaining balance paid over three to four months.
Outright cash purchase: Community members with funds can purchase machinery.
Strong community interest and prospects for growth
The Mechanization and Extension activity stand generated substantial interest among farmers in both districts. In Murewa, 95 participants engaged with the display, with eight potential service providers expressing interest in acquiring the peanut butter-making machine, manual groundnut sheller, and peanut roaster. Groundnut production is high in Murewa, so farmers were especially intrigued by the value addition machinery, which opens new opportunities for processing and marketing.
âAs groundnut farmers, these machines will give us a business opportunity to sell peanut butter in large quantities,â said attendee Colleta Nzara of Murewa district.
âWe used to lose so much money by just selling unshelled groundnuts because very few could manually process into peanut butter, but with these machines, the whole process is so much easier,â said Florence Mutize of Murewa district.
In Mbire, where 57 participants visited the stand, the basin digger was a major attraction.
âThis is the first time I am seeing this machine that can ease our labor burdens when making our Pfumvudza plots,â said Jennifer Nyatande from Mbire district. âIâm eager to invest in one to both reduce costs on my farm and offer services to others.â
(Photo: CIMMYT)
The 2024 Agroecology Fairs provided an opportunity to demonstrate how mechanization can be both accessible and transformative for smallholder farmers. With growing interest from local communities, the Mechanization and Extension activity continues to work toward sustainable agricultural development across Zimbabweâs rural districts.
Biofortified corn crop in Colombia (Photo: CIMMYT)
CIMMYT, in collaboration with the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, is contributing to the Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia project. This transformative initiative aims to reshape Colombiaâs agricultural sector by fostering sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. Several research institutions are also part of this mission as strategic implementing partners.
The goal of Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia is to address the environmental and productionchallenges facing Colombian agriculture, while ensuring food security and sustainability. Through the implementation of innovative technologies, better agricultural practices and adaptation to climate change, it aims to improve the competitiveness of Colombian producers and reduce pressure on natural resources. In this sense, the project contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to climate action, life on earth and reducing inequalities.Â
CIMMYT is collaborating in this project to join efforts to strengthen farmers’ capacities, as Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia focuses not only on agricultural production, but on the entire agri-food system, seeking to build more inclusive and efficient value chains, from production to the consumer, emphasizing community participation and knowledge transfer in an inclusive manner, involving women, youth and marginalized rural communities in decision-making processes and technology adoption.Â
The collaboration between international CGIAR research centers, such as the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance and CIMMYT, together with key stakeholders in Colombia, demonstrates that the future of agriculture depends on an integrated vision that combines science, innovation and collaboration. This lays the foundation for transforming agriculture and food in Colombia for the benefit of people and the planet.Â
Tichaona transporting hay bales using his acquired two-wheel tractor (Photo: Dorcas Matangi, CIMMYT)
In the heart of Mbireâs Ward 2 in Zimbabwe, Tichaona Makuwerere has earned the trust of his community, not just as a farmer but also as a resourceful problem-solver. His journey began with âpiece jobsâ â manual labor that barely made ends meet. From providing firewood and bricks to renting an ox-drawn cart, Tichaonaâs days were filled with tough and gritty work. Occasionally, he crossed into Zambia to collect baobab fruit for sale, returning with livestockpesticides, which he traded locally.
However, stability remained elusive. Jobs were scarce, and community hiring often favored personal connections. Undeterred, Tichaona turned to self-employment in 2007, offering ox-drawn ripping services to farmers. His commitment didnât go unnoticed. When the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative (AEI) came to Mbire, the community recognized Tichaonaâs entrepreneurial spirit and nominated him as a service provider.
Catalyst for change: CGIAR Agroecology InitiativeÂ
AE-I brings together farmers and stakeholders to address local challenges and develop practical solutions in Mbire and Murewa. Through Agroecological Living Landscapes (ALLs)âcollaborative spaces for innovationâvarious stakeholders work to identify, co-design, test, and adopt agroecological practices. One challenge identified was that agroecology can be labor-intensive, highlighting the need to reduce labor demands by integrating mechanization for manual activities such as crop planting, manure transportation, and threshing. Partnering with private sector organizations like Kurima Machinery, AE-I provides farmers in Mbire and Murewa with the tools and training necessary to make mechanized services more accessible.
Equipped for success through training and supportÂ
Tichaonaâs journey with AE-I began with intensive training at Gwebi College of Agriculture in Zimbabwe, where he learned the intricacies of machine operation, repair, and business management. The hands-on experience gave him the confidence he needed. âIt was a turning point,â said Tichaona. âThe training gave me skills that are hard to come by here. I learned how to run and sustain an agricultural service business.â
In addition, Kurima Machinery provided practical guidance and support when delivering his new equipment kit, which included a two-wheel tractor, trailer, grass cutter, chopper grinder, ripper, thresher, and basin digger. Although Tichaona had no prior experience with engines, his determination, along with Kurimaâs ongoing virtual support, helped him develop the skills needed to operate and maintain the equipment.
Scaling up from oxen to efficient mechanization
The kit has dramatically transformed Tichaonaâs way of working. Where he once struggled with oxen, the two-wheel tractor can now complete a three-hour task in just 30 minutes. This leap in efficiency has enabled him to expand his services beyond ripping and transportation. Tichaona now offers grass cutting, baling, grinding, threshing, and basin digging services.
Mechanization has not only streamlined his business but also significantly increased his clientele. Previously, he served around 50 clients per year; now, with the tractor, he supports over 200 annual clients, many of whom are repeat customers. In a region where animal feed is scarce during the dry season, Tichaonaâs baling services have become especially valuable. Over the past year, he has produced more than 3,000 bales, even attracting safari operators who use the bales as bait for animals.
âHatisi kumira kutsvaga mabasaâ (We keep going forward and look for new jobs), Tichaona reflected with pride. In his drive to grow, he has further diversified his services to include grinding forest products such as Faidherbia albida, acacia, and Piliostigma thonningii pods, producing affordable livestock feed for farmers. He acquired these skills during livestock feed production training at the ALLs.
Mechanization has not only improved productivity but also mitigated environmental risks. Grass cutting and baling have curbed the practice of uncontrolled burning, which previously caused frequent veld fires in Mbire and Murehwa. In recognition of the projectâs success in promoting sustainable land use, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has invested in additional service kits for other wards.
Transporting grass bales in Mbire for local farmers (Photo: Dorcas Matangi, CIMMYT)
Strengthening Resilience Amid Climate Uncertainty
Tichaonaâs services have become indispensable in a community grappling with erratic weather patterns and prolonged droughts. By baling grass, sorghum stalks, and crop residues, he enables farmers to store feed for their livestock, mitigating risks during drought seasons. The benefits extend beyond livestock careâhis machinery has helped farmers expand cultivable areas despite a shrinking planting season.
Moreover, Tichaona has stepped up as a water carrier during the dry months. With wells drying up, villagers often dig makeshift wells in distant riverbeds. Using his tractor, Tichaona fetches water from the borehole for the community. His efforts free up time for farmers to focus on land preparation and other critical tasks, boosting their productivity.
Building a Lasting Legacy at the Community Level
Tichaonaâs success has translated into significant improvements for his family. His increased income has allowed him to build a new home and purchase land in Guruve town. He has also invested in goats for his children as a form of social security. âKudya kaviri kwaitonetsa, ikozvino takutodya uye atichatenderi kuti muenzi asvika abve pamba asina kudya (We could barely afford two meals a day, but now we eat more than four meals. We ensure that no visitor leaves without eating),â he shared.
His generosity extends beyond his family. Tichaona provides free transportation for vulnerable residents, including the elderly, and offers free grinding services to low-income families. These acts of kindness have solidified his reputation as a respected and valued member of the community.
A Model of Adaptability and Determination
Tichaonaâs journey has not been without challenges. Mechanical issues, such as trailer body wear, brake replacements, and two-wheel tractor bearing failures, have tested his resourcefulness. He stocks essential spare parts, conducts regular maintenance, and leverages Kurima Machineryâs support network for troubleshooting and repairs. Collaborating with other AE-I operators, he shares tips and techniques for maintaining machinery, ensuring consistent and reliable services.
As his confidence and skills grow, Tichaona is planning to expand his offerings. He envisions adding oil pressing for sunflower and groundnut as well as peanut butter production. Already, he has invested in a grinding mill operated by his wife, allowing him to focus on field services. His ambitions extend to poultry farming, where he plans to use his chopper grinder to produce feed, incorporating local products into his supply chain.
âNdine hurongwa hukuruâ (I have bigger plans ahead), Tichaona said. He dreams of drilling a borehole to support horticultureproduction, a venture that would benefit not only his family but also nearby farmers by providing easier access to water. His ultimate goal is to establish a comprehensive agricultural service hub, offering everything from land preparation to livestock feed production, to strengthen the communityâs resilience.
A Model for Agroecological Transformation
Tichaonaâs story exemplifies the far-reaching impact of empowering local service providers in rural agriculture. Through the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative, he transformed from being a community handyman to a pioneering agricultural entrepreneur in Mbire. His contributions not only enhanced agricultural efficiency and overall life for himself and his community, but also offered a blueprint for sustainable development in agriculture. His story reminds us that when local expertise is supported and equipped, it can transform communities into models of resilience and sustainable growth.
In parts of the conflict-ridden Sudan, including the eastern regions such as Kassala and Gadarif, rainfall is sparse and recurring droughts caused by climate change compound the issue. Consequently, perennial grasses that are supposed to grow back year after year are dramatically disappearing.
In addition, uncontrolled and heavy grazing in large areas in Sudan is also negatively affecting soil by increasing erosion, and cattle hooves can compact the soil, preventing plant roots from receiving enough oxygen, water, and nutrients.
Due to these factors, many pastoralist groups in east Sudan are seeking grazing resources outside their recognized tribal territory. A major problem for these groups has been the recurrent droughts and the deterioration of pasture areas, which has forced them to stay longer in areas with rich grazing, thus competing with other groups and leading to frictions and conflicts.
Livestock-Food Systems Development (LFSD) is a component of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS), funded by USAID, focused on the dairy and meat subsector of the livestock sector. The LFSD aims to enhance the utilization of appropriate forage and feeding options through the demarcation of migratory routes to ease access to grazing, avoid conflicts, and reduce long-distance livestock travel impact on livestock health.
Along with partners, Practical Action and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), LFSD, is establishing a 50 km migratory route demarcation from Al Hindiiyya to Banqir in the Atbara River locality, Kassala State, East Sudan. These routes connect villages to public grazing land for livestock to pass through without impacting farmland.
The intervention also includes reseeding 1,000 feddans (around 420 hectares) of grazing lands and creating water ponds for animals during the rainy season. SASAS is also enhancing water harvesting by using a tractor to increase soil moisture. The two interventions were recommended by local communities and agriculture and animal resources authorities in Kassala state.
âAs the rainy season is commencing, we started working with the local communities and reseeding the targeted areas in rural Kassala and River Atbara localities as recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture,â said Dr. Abdallah Osman, Project Manager, Practical Action.
Reseeding around 1,000 feddans of grazing lands in River Atbara Locality, Kassala (Photo:Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT )
âTo ensure the best results, we used a mix of five high-quality seed types, all of which were recommended by the Kassala State Ministry of Agriculture,â Osman said.
The reseeding will serve 15 villages and enhance grazing lands for over 100,000 animals in the area. In addition, water storing capacity will be increased by constructing 15 large water ponds.
âFor the past decades, our grazing lands had diminished gradually, and we face huge challenges in feeding our livestock, especially during dry seasons. In most cases, we had to buy costly fodder and water trucking,â said Ahmed Hassan, a community leader and a herder from River Atbara Locality, Kassala State. âWe feel very proud to participate in reseeding the grazing lands in our areas, as this will increase grass yield and quality, enabling us to feed our animals better.â
The intervention also aims to rehabilitate animal migratory route demarcations to ease access to grazing, avoid conflicts, and reduce long-distance livestock travel impact on livestock health.
âAs farmers, we suffer a lot from animals that cross into our agricultural fields and destroy our crops. We are relieved that reseeding will create more grazing lands for herders, and the demarcation of animal routes will help reduce the chronic seasonal conflicts between farmers and herders,â said Haw Osman, a farmer from Am Safri, Kassala Rural locality.
âAt SASAS, we strive to ensure that herders have access to rich grazing lands. We work with our partners to address all problems linked to overgrazing, reseeding pasture lands, and treating the causes of conflict between herders and farmers. We involve local communities in creating clear animal migration routes away from farms and increasing water sources for animals through water harvesting projects,â said Abdelrahman Kheir, SASAS Chief of Party in Sudan.
Water harvesting to create water ponds for animals in River Atbara Locality, Kassala State (Photo: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT )SASAS partners work with local communities in rural Kassala and River Atbara to mark animal migration routes for animals (Photo: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)
Ceremony for the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Dr. Bram Govaerts of CIMMYT. (Photo: Richa Puri / BISA)
During a formal ceremony at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (CSA) in Kanpur, India, Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT Director General, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa. This prestigious honor not only recognizes Govaerts’ outstanding career but also highlights CIMMYT’s innovative and collaborative work on behalf of global food security, a joint effort that impacts millions of farmers and communities around the world.
Upon receiving the recognition, Govaerts dedicated it to the entire CIMMYT team, emphasizing, “This honor is a testament to the tireless work of my colleagues and collaborators at CIMMYT, who, through science and innovation, are contributing to food and nutrition security in key regions such as India and South Asia.” He further noted that this Honorary Doctorate symbolizes the global commitment of CIMMYT and Mexico in addressing the agricultural and climate challenges that threaten food production.
This recognition also underscores the strong agricultural partnership between Mexico and India, a collaboration that has saved millions of lives. This alliance dates back to the Green Revolution, led by Norman Borlaug, who introduced wheat varieties developed in Mexico that allowed India to double its agricultural output and avert a catastrophic famine in the 1960s.
Ceremony for the awarding of an honorary doctorate to Dr. Bram Govaerts of CIMMYT. (Photo: Richa Puri / BISA)
Today, CIMMYT continues to be a vital partner for India, developing maize and wheat varieties that are resilient to extreme climate conditions and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), established in 2011 as a collaboration between CIMMYT and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is a testament to the progress made through international collaboration. BISA has played a critical role in strengthening India’s agri-food systems, improving the livelihoods of millions of farmers, and contributing to environmental restoration in the region.
Beyond commercial ties, scientific collaboration between Mexico and India has been a cornerstone of agricultural improvements in both countries. India, the world’s second-most populous country, faces significant food production challenges, many of which mirror Mexico’s struggles, such as soil degradation and the effects of climate change. Thanks to CIMMYT’s collaboration with Indian institutions, critical advances have been made to address these challenges, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable agriculture.
The honorary doctorate awarded to Bram Govaerts not only recognizes his leadership but also the transformative impact of CIMMYT and its partners in improving the lives of millions of people around the world. Govaerts said, “This award reflects the strength of international scientific collaboration and the power of science to change the world.”
Gogo Consilia Nyamunda in her pigeon pea field (CIMMYT)
When she first ventured into growing pigeon peas as a baby trial host farmer, Gogo Consilia Nyamunda doubted that intercropping them with maize would bring any benefits, especially given the weather had not been lenient over the past few years in Buhera district, in eastern Zimbabwe. âThis year has been the hardest. Iâve never experienced such drought and heat stress, but itâs not just meâitâs affecting the entire country,â says Gogo Consilia. Yet, her production turned out to be better than that of farmers growing only maize, a popular crop in Southern Africa. Encouraged by the results, she expanded her efforts, dedicating half a hectare to pigeon peas. âFrom just 0.2 hectares of pigeon peas, I still managed to harvest 10 kilograms in these extremely dry conditions. Itâs not just for feeding my chickensâother farmers are now interested in the seeds as well,â she explains.
In the face of a changing climate, building the resilience of local farmers is crucial to safeguarding both their meal baskets and livestock feed. In this context, LIPS Zimbabwe has emerged as a strategic initiative, deeply rooted in farmer-driven trials to scale fodder production while maximizing the potential of mechanization for smallholder farmers in Buhera. By integrating improved agronomic practices with scalable fodder production, LIPS Zimbabwe is helping farmers withstand the challenges posed by climate change.
Empowering local farmers through fodder production
In the same district, Shirley Makoni also began as a baby trial farmer, intercropping maize with jack bean, a leguminous crop resilient to drought. Her case highlights the importance of diversifying crops and adapting to the realities of climate change: despite initial skepticism, Shirley found that jack beans not only survived the drought but also provided valuable feed for her cows. âI didnât think anything would come out of it, but the cows love the leaves and seeds. Theyâve gained weight, and the crop has been easy to manage,â she shares. While her maize and other crops failed due to the severe weather, jack bean proved to be a reliable source of feed, allowing her to bale the leaves and even share the harvest with others.
Shirley Makoni proudly holds her jack bean hay bale (CIMMYT)
One of the key strategies employed by LIPS Zimbabwe is the promotion of resilient fodder crops that can thrive under harsh climatic, semi-arid conditions where potential evapotranspiration far exceeds seasonal rainfall, which is often below 600 mm. This approach not only ensures a reliable source of feed for livestock but also contributes to the overall resilience of farming systems. The success story of farmers like Gogo Consilia Nyamunda highlights the transformative impact of these efforts.
âThe idea of testing new innovations has paid off. Despite the poor sandy soils in Buhera, these fodder crops (jack bean and pigeon pea) have done well!â says Isaiah Nyagumbo, a Systems Agronomist leading the CIMMYT component of the LIPS-Zim project. âThis means we now have a more diverse range of leguminous fodder crop species that can be grown in these semi-arid conditions, apart from the more common ones such as mucuna, lablab, and cowpeas.â
Some preliminary laboratory results also suggest that jack bean contains much higher crude protein than popular fodder legumes like mucuna. Jack bean could thus offer a new resilient feed option for farmers in these drought-prone regions and can be grown as an intercrop or in rotation with cereals.
Transforming fodder production through mechanization
Tying the LIPS Zimbabwe project together is the introduction of the mechanization component, from planting to processing the fodder crops, which is crucial for increasing the scale of fodder production in Zimbabweâs semi-arid regions. By processing forage legumes such as jack bean, lablab, pigeon pea, mucuna, and cowpea, farmers can ensure a steady supply of nutritious feed for their livestock, even in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
Local farmers in Buhera have been equipped with machinery such as a chopper grinder, hay balers, planters, and tractors, and trained to use and maintain the equipment. âAmong the machinery at hand, the hay baler has been a great win for me, especially for the cows,â says Gandani Nhachi. âLast season, I made 27 bales of fodder, which has been vital for my herd. Iâve also grown my goat herd from 16 last year to 35 this year,â he proudly shares.
Building resilience for the future
As climate change continues to challenge farmers, initiatives like LIPS Zimbabwe are essential for building resilience. By combining traditional knowledge with modern practices, scaling fodder production, and embracing mechanization, farmers in Buhera are better equipped to protect their livelihoods and ensure food security. As Gandani puts it, âClimate change is inevitable, but with the right practices, we can still thrive. When I give my goats food, they multiply. Even if one side fails, all hope is not lost.â
Partners at the AID-I exhibition booth (Photo: CIMMYT)
In Tanzania, the first week of August is all about agriculture. From August 1 to 8, agricultural fairs, also known as Nane Nanefairs, are held all over the country to recognize the contribution of farmers to the national economy. âNane Naneâ in the local language means âeight eight,â referring to August 8, which is celebrated as Farmers Day in the country.
Organized by the Agricultural Society of Tanzania, these fairs serve as a landmark event for agricultural stakeholders across the region. This year, the 31st edition of the fair was organized at the Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma. It saw 500 exhibitors, including smallholder farmers, agricultural enterprises, public and private sector entities, and government officials.
Themed âEmbrace Visionary Leadership for Agricultural Transformation,â the event emphasized the need for leadership commitment to sustainable agriculture, while highlighting the critical role of agriculture in Tanzaniaâs economic growth and food security.
TheSouthern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by CIMMYT, along with several partners, played a prominent role at this yearâs fair. In addition to raising awareness of the innovative work being done, the fair provided a platform for AID-I and its partners to showcase a range of innovative agricultural technologies designed to address the specific needs of Tanzanian farmers. The event also enabled AID-I and its partners to interact directly with farmers and entrepreneurs, resulting in valuable feedback.Â
Celebrating the Success of AID-I Beneficiaries at Nane Nane
The Nane Nane fair was more than just a display of agricultural technologies. It was also a celebration of the successes of local entrepreneurs who had benefited from AID-I’s support.
Among them was Sarah Mashauri, an entrepreneur from the Tabora region, who ventured into the business world by producing and selling maize flour, both wholesale and retail. Starting with only one sack of maize and a loan of 100,000 Tanzanian shillings (approximately US$36), Sarah faced numerous obstacles, including regulatory challenges that resulted in the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority confiscating her items. The AID-I project recognized her potential and resilience. She was equipped with a milling and dehulling machine, which significantly improved her business. âBefore the AID-I project came into my life, I was struggling on my own,â she said. âThe support, coupled with the extensive training they provided, enabled me to scale up my operations. I went from employing seven people to 35, and my business expanded significantly. I am now able to source raw materials easily from small-scale farmers, thanks to the networks and training provided by AID-I.â
Agatha Laiza, managing director of Seasoning Palate, a food products company operating under the brand name Tobi Product in Dar es Salaam, is another entrepreneur who benefited from AID-I’s support. Agatha specializes in peanut butter, crunchy nuts, and peanut oil. Her journey began in 1996 with a focus on food product processing. She later realized the potential in peanut production and shifted to adding value to peanuts, while also addressing the critical issue of aflatoxin contamination. With support from AID-I, Agatha was able to build solar dryers for farmers and provide them with high-quality seeds, significantly reducing the risk of aflatoxin in their crops. âThe support from USAID, CIMMYT, and AID-I has been invaluable,â Agatha said. âThey have helped us build confidence among our farmers, reducing ground nut loss and ensuring safe, quality produce. Our factory, which can process up to three tons of peanuts daily, now operates more efficiently and our products are safer and more reliable.â
Aithan Chaula, executive director of the Dodoma Agriculture Seed Production Association (DASPA), also benefited from the AID-I projectâs support. Since beginning pigeon pea production in 2022, DASPA saw substantial growth in demand for pigeon pea seeds, partnering with ALSSEM, a local seed production company.
DASPA expanded its operations to produce quality declared seeds (QDS) and certified seeds, catering to a growing market. Aithan attributed their success to the strategic support from AID-I and partnerships with organizations such as CIMMYT and ALSSEM. âThe collaboration allowed us to expand our production capabilities and reach more farmers across various regions,â he said. DASPA is currently working with approximately 20,000 farmers and plans to increase this number by distributing small seed packs and conducting field demonstrations.
âThis year at Nane Nane, we were able to distribute small packs of pigeon pea seeds to approximately 1,200 farmers to plant and farm,â said Aithan. âThis effort, supported by AID-I, ensures that pigeon pea cultivation becomes well-known and widely adopted by farmers, contributing to both food security and income generation.â
The U.SA Ambassador to Tanzania interacting with exhibitors at the AID-I exhibition booth (Photo: CIMMYT)
Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., the United States Ambassador to Tanzania, paid a visit to the AID-I exhibition booth. He engaged with AID-I representatives and the exhibitors, praising their innovative efforts to advance climate-smart agriculture and enhance food security. âIt’s a joy to be participating in Nane Nane, particularly because USAID is interested in assisting Tanzania not only to become food secure but also to help with East Africaâs food security and ultimately the continentâs food security,â said Ambassador Battle Sr. He added that it was fulfilling to see the entire value chain of agriculture and agribusiness involving young people and old people engaged in the process of making Tanzania wealthier and more food secure.
For AID-I and its partners, the fair was a crucial opportunity to highlight ongoing initiatives and foster new partnerships. Peter Setimela, the Legume Seed Systems lead for AID-I, emphasized the importance of such events. âOur work in accelerating innovative technologies and ensuring they reach the farmers is reliant on strong partnerships. We bring these technologies to farmers by strengthening local seed systems, connecting farmers to financial services and products, and providing advisory services,â he said.
Wheat breeding strategies for increased climate resilience
With the challenges of climate change already affecting plant breeding, especially warmer days and warmer nights, the time to future proof the worldâs food supply is now. In order to make the best-informed changes, scientists at CIMMYT ran simulations mimicking five scenarios that might play out over the next 70+ years.
The researchers used 3,652 breeding line records from six global nurseries administered by the International Wheat Improvement Network, which is coordinated by CIMMYT, and involves hundreds of partners and testing sites worldwide. Researchers ran the data through five different climate change scenarios, ranging from stable to severe.
Along with colleagues from Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China, ICARDA, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, CIMMYT scientists published their research in Nature Climate Change.
The results showed that less than one-third of wheat varieties adapted well to the warming the planet has already seen in the last 10 years. As temperatures increased in the simulation, researchers found a clear connection between rising temperatures and lower stability for a variety. As the global wheat-growing area becomes warmer and experiences more frequent heatwaves, breeding programs have to look beyond just yield optimization.
âStability is key for breeding programs and farmers,â said co-lead author Matthew Reynolds, CIMMYT distinguished scientist and head of wheat physiology. âKnowing that a specific variety works well in a specific environment and produces an expected amount of yield allows farmers better plan their crop futures.â
âWe performed the analysis from different perspectives, so that climate effects and appropriate adjustment suggestions for current breeding models can be considered from climate change, gene selection and/or geneâenvironment interaction perspectives,â said co-lead author Wei Xiong, CIMMYT Senior Scientist and Agricultural System Modeler.
The paradox of breeding elite lines
Local and regional breeding programs, as well as targeted breeding by CIMMYT, contribute to gene pools that overlap for many key agronomic traits, which limit genetic diversity.
âIt is an unintended consequence,â said Reynolds. âAs conventional breeding focuses on crossing the best and elite material, such focus can actually reduce genetic diversity.â
This âparadoxâ shows the need to increase genetic variability and environmental diversification in breeding programs that are developing higher-yielding climate-resilient cultivars. Breeding programs also need to target traits associated with improved adaptation to increased temperatures and tolerance to heatwaves, which requires multidisciplinary integration.
Looking to the past for answers
Over the past 10,000 years, the climate has been unusually stable, meaning modern, domesticated bread wheat has not been exposed to wide swings in temperature that are forecast for the next 100 years. Wild wheat relatives, like Triticeae, have had millions of years of experience in weathering changing climates.
CIMMYT has a pre-breeding program that examines wild wheat races and more exotic sources for climate resilience traits. When such traits are identified genetically, new breeding techniques such as gene editing can be employed and breeding models refined.
To activate these new techniques, several barriers need to be overcome, including more sharing of germplasm between countries and breeding teams, the use of faster breeding cycles where appropriate and improved understanding of genes that improve heat tolerance without a yield penalty.
With reduced climate resilience and slow cultivar development, the need to increase genetic variability for climate adaptation is urgent, particularly in developing countries, where warming rate is unprecedented, and breeding cycles tend to be longer than in developed countries.
âFaced with more climate variability, breeders need to revisit their breeding strategies to integrate genetic diversity that confers climate resilience without penalties to productivity,â said Reynolds.
Local farmers have conversations with the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology partners in Zimbabwe during the co-designing process. (Photo: CIMMYT)
In the rural districts of Mbire and Murehwa in Zimbabwe, the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative (AE-I) has embarked on a comprehensive strategy that places farmers’ opinions at the heart of interventions to tackle the multifaceted challenges of agroecosystems. Recognizing challenges such as pest and disease outbreaks, periodic drought, inadequate grazing lands, and limited access to quality seeds and livestock breeds, the AE-I team has initiated a collaborative process involving various stakeholders to develop tailored agroecological solutions.
This integrated approach emphasizes active participation and cooperation among agricultural extension services, including the Department of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services of Zimbabwe (AGRITEX), food system actors (FSAs), and technology providers. These organizations have collaborated to form Agroecology Living Landscapes (ALLs) to identify, test, and iterate relevant innovations.
âThis collaborative innovation and ongoing co-designing cycle empower local communities and fosters agricultural sustainability, positioning Zimbabwe as a model for agroecology transition,â said Vimbayi Chimonyo, CIMMYT scientist and crop modeler. âWith these efforts, the AE-I is improving current agricultural practices but also building a foundation for future resilience in Zimbabwe’s rural districts.â
A representation diagram of the co-designing cycle.
To ensure a well-informed process, the AE-I research team began its efforts by identifying dominant value chains in the two districts. In Murehwa, these included horticulture, maize, groundnuts, and poultry; while in Mbire, sorghum, cotton, and livestock. Challenges noted included production constraints (availability of improved seed and labor), biophysical constraints (water availability, increased incidents of fall armyworm), economic (market access) and social (agency).
Next, the AE-I research team, and the ALLs conducted a series of surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to understand existing opportunities that might address the challenges and aid in strengthening the value chains. The AE-I team discovered opportunities related to addressing labor shortages and improving access to improved technologies.
As a result, the research team introduced appropriate scale machinery, suggested seed and livestock fairs to increase access to agroecological inputs, established a series of demonstration plots to showcase technologies that improve water use, and increased mitigation efforts for fall armyworm. After introducing machinery, seed and livestock fairs, and testing the technologies during the 2022/23 season, AE-I returned to ALL members to discuss the impact the activities had on their production systems and determine if any modifications were necessary.
Participants suggested increased visibility of the new technologies and methods, so the AE-I team enhanced demonstration plots and added 100 baby plots during the 2023-24 farming season.
Integrating adaptive testing and feedback yielded valuable information from farmers, providing a strong base for further adaptations in the 2023-24 farming season. This continuous engagement promoted adaptive and context-specific solutions within the AE-I, ensuring that interventions aligned with evolving community needs.
Technologies being tested
To achieve the visions of each ALL, context-specific technologies are being tested to ensure synergy across the identified value chains and collaboration among different food system actors.
Technology/Innovation
Description
Demo plots
2022-23: Twenty mother plots were established to compare the performance of cereal planted in, push-pull, and conventional practices on productivity, rainwater use efficiency, and pest biocontrol.
2023-24: Additional treatments, including biochar, live mulch, and traditional treatments, were introduced. One hundred eleven baby plots were established where farmers adapted mother protocols to suit their contexts.
Farmer Field Days
Conducted for the established demonstration plots in Mbire and Murehwa, these field days showcased the technologies to a broader audience and acted as an agent of evaluation and feedback for the AE-I team.
Mechanization
A service provider model was adopted to introduce appropriate scale machinery, addressing the drudgery associated with farming operations. Equipment provided included threshers, basin diggers, two-wheel tractors, rippers, mowers, chopper grinders, and balers. Training on operation, repair, and maintenance was also provided.
Capacity building
Yearly work plans, co-designed by ALLs, identification of  training needs, gaps, and priorities. Facilitated by AGRITEX, these trainings equip farmers with knowledge essential to facilitate agroecology transition and fulfil ALL visions.
Monitoring and evaluation is a valuable component in the co-designing process where the AE-I establishes a feedback loop, engaging farmers and government stakeholders in participatory monitoring and evaluation. This ongoing exercise analyzes various indicators across different experimental treatments, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness and suitability of these approaches within the agricultural context. This continuous analysis leads to further co-designing of tailored solutions for facilitating the agroecology transition.
Farmers and stakeholders from AGRITEX welcomed and appreciated the co-designing process, as they felt empowered by the entire process. They expressed how it gives them ownership of the technologies being implemented through the AE-I project.
The success of the AE-I in the Mbire and Murehwa districts hinges on active participation and collaboration among FSAs. By continuously evaluating and integrating feedback on innovations and addressing challenges through context-specific interventions, the initiative is paving the way for adopting agroecological practices in farming, enhancing the resilience of local food systems.
This original piece was written by Craig E. Murazhi, Telma Sibanda, Dorcas Matangi, and Vimbayi G. P. Chimonyo.
Twenty-twenty four is set to become one of the hottest years on record. Warmer temperatures are destabilizing ecosystems, threatening human life, and weakening our food systems. On Earth Overshoot Day, CIMMYT calls for increased attention to the interplay between environmental health and efficient, abundant food production through sustainable practices.
Food systems are one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for one-third of all human-caused GHG emissions. While contributing to climate change, food production is also sorely impacted by it, undermining agrarian livelihoods and the ability to feed an increasing global population. Extreme and unpredictable weather is causing economic hardship, food and nutrition insecurity, and use of environmentally harmful practices.
In the Western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India, rice and wheat are the dominant staple crops, grown yearly in rotations covering more than 13 million hectares. But conventional tillage-based methods have been unable to increase yields. Some of these traditional methods based on intensive tillage have harmed the soil, exhausted aquifers, and increased GHG emissions, without raising crop yields. CGIAR soil and climate scientists and agronomists have partnered to find solutions that help increase rice and wheat production, while minimizing harmful environmental effects.
One of the CA-based practice research fields at ICAR-CSSRI. (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT)
At CIMMYT, we interviewed a group of CGIAR scientists who recently published a long-term study on sustainable intensification in the Western Indo-Gangetic Plains. Their work, conducted at the Central Soil and Salinity Research Institute (ICAR-CSSRI) in Karnal, India, demonstrates how integrating Conservation Agriculture (CA)-based principles into cropping systems can support climate-resilient and sustainable food systems.
“Today, agriculture faces many challenges, such as increasing input costs to maintain yield in the face of climate change and ensuring the sustainability of agricultural land,” said Mahesh Gathala, senior scientist at CIMMYT.
He mentioned that the collaborative research spanned over eight years, covering various crops and cropping cycles, and studying seven scenarios representing different farming practices. One scenario was based on farmers’ existing practices, while the other six involved combining and integrating the agronomic management practices and crop diversification options based on CA principles. The team collected data on yield, profitability, soil health, global warming potential, and fertilizer use, to name critical factors.
Gathala highlighted, “The findings are consistent with our previous research conclusions, while reinforcing the significant compounding impact of Conservation Agriculture-based cropping practices in the region, in the long-run.”
According to M.L. Jat, a former CIMMYT scientist who is global director for ICRISATâs Resilient Farm and Food Systems Program, the CA-based measures that emerged from this research are applicable in much of the Western Indo-Gangetic Plains and beyond.
“Most of our research trials over some 2-5 years have provided substantial evidence in favor of Conservation Agriculture-based cropping diversification and sustainable intensification,â Jat said. âHowever, this study is one of very few long-term, collaborative research trials that provide strong evidence for policy decisions on resilient, climate-smart cropping system optimization to boost yields and nutrition, while improving soil health and fighting climate change.”
Other lead authors of the publication, Timothy Krupnik, principal scientist at CIMMYT and CGIAR South Asia, and Tek Sapkota, the Climate Change Science lead at CIMMYT, provided further explanation of important lessons from this eight-year study.
Two CA-based practice research scenarios at ICAR-CSSRI. (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT)
How does CA contribute to the sustainable and conscious use of natural resources? In what ways could CA be framed to governments to develop policies that do a better job of feeding us nutritious food while contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation?
Tek Sapkota: Conservation Agriculture promotes the production of nutritious, diversified crops, sustainable yield improvements, climate change adaptation, economic benefits, and environmental protection. Governments can support these initiatives through financial incentives, subsidies, investment in research and extension services, and the development of supporting infrastructure and market access. This support further enables farmers to implement and benefit from sustainable agricultural practices.
CIMMYT and CGIAR-led projects in South Asia, like CSISA/SRFSI/TAFFSA, have already recorded some wins for CA implementation. What are some immediate implications of this study on CIMMYTâs ability to deliver this knowledge to more smallholders in the region?
Timothy Krupnik: The ICAR-CIMMYT partnership establishes long-term experiments, or living labs, across diverse ecologies to build trust among smallholder farmers, extension workers, and stakeholders. These initiatives aim to demonstrate CAâs benefits, as part of sustainable intensification. The science-based evidence generated will be co-owned by partners, through their extension networks, and shared with farm communities to highlight CA’s advantages. Additionally, the study supports reducing carbon footprints, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainable agricultural practices and potentially used by carbon market players to disseminate CA.
Apart from climate resilience, could you explain what are the economic benefits of diversification in the rice-wheat dominant systems?
Tek Sapkota: Diversifying away from rice-wheat cropping systems provides significant economic benefits beyond climate resilience. It enhances income stability, improves resource use efficiency, maintains soil health, reduces production costs (such as irrigation expenses and water usage), and opens up new market opportunities. Diversification contributes to the creation of more sustainable and profitable farming systems.
How can CGIAR and national agricultural research and extension systems promote more widespread adoption of these technologies by farmers in South Asia and beyond?
Tek Sapkota: By establishing a multi-stakeholder platform for learning, knowledge sharing, and developing adoption pathways, CGIAR Research Centers could work together with national partners to create programs that support capacity building and knowledge transfer. Another crucial step would be to collaboratively adapt and customize the technology to local production conditions ensuring smooth implementation at the grassroots level. Additionally, it is important to encourage innovations in policies, markets, institutions and financial mechanisms to facilitate scaling.
Florence Mutizeâs thriving fields of maize, in Bindura, a small town in Mashonaland Central region of Zimbabwe, serve as living proof of the successes of Conservation Agriculture (CA), a sustainable cropping system that helps reverse soil degradation, augment soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce labor requirements while helping farmers adapt to climate change. The seeds of her hard work are paying off, empowering her family through education and ensuring that a nutritious meal is always within reach.
âI have been dedicated to these CA trials since 2004, starting on a small plot,â said Mutize. âNow, with years of experience and adaptation to changing climates, I’ve seen my yields increase significantly, harvesting up to a tonne of maize on a 30 by 30m plot using direct seeding and ripping techniques together with crop residue to cover the soil and rotating maize with soybean.â
Mutize is one of many mother trial host farmers implementing CA principles through the CGIAR Ukama Ustawi regional initiative in Bindura. A mother trial is a research approach involving testing and validating a suite of climate-smart agriculture technologies to identify the best-performing ones which can then be adopted on a larger scale.
Nestled in the Mazowe valley, Bindura experiences a subtropical climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, ideal for agricultural production. But the extremes of the changing climate, like imminent dry spells and El Niño-induced threats, are endangering local farmers. Yet, smallholder farmers like Mutize have weathered the extremes and continued conducting mother trials, supported by the agriculture extension officers of the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Department of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“Where I once harvested only five bags of maize, rotating maize with soybeans now yields 40 bags of maize and 10 bags of soybeans,” Mutize proudly shares.
The UU-supported CA program also extends to farmers in Shamva, like Elphas Chinyanga, another mother trial implementer since 2004.
Elphas Chinyanga and his son inspect maize cobs in their field. (Photo: CIMMYT)
“From experimenting with various fertilization methods to introducing mechanized options like ripping and direct seeding, these trials have continuously evolved,â said Chinyanga. âLearning from past experiences, we have gotten much more benefits and we have incorporated these practices into other fields beyond the trial area. I am leaving this legacy to my children to follow through and reap the rewards.â
Learning has been a crucial element in the dissemination of CA technologies, with CIMMYT implementing refresher training together with ARDAS officers to ensure that farmers continue to learn CA principles. As learning is a progressive cycle, it is important to package knowledge in a way that fits into current training and capacity development processes.
Pre-season refresher training with mother trial host farmers and extension in Hereford, Zimbabwe. (Photo: CIMMYT)
This process could also be labelled as âscaling deepâ as it encourages farmers to move away from conventional agriculture technologies. Reciprocally, scientists have been learning from the experiences of farmers on the ground to understand what works and what needs improvement.
Inspired by the successes of his peers in Shamva, Hendrixious Zvomarima joined the program as a host farmer and saw a significant increase in yields and efficiency on his land.
âFor three years, I have devoted time to learn and practice what other farmers like Elphas Chinyanga were practicing. It has been 14 years since joining, and this has been the best decision I have made as it has improved my yields while boosting my familyâs food basket,â said Zvomarima.
The longevity and success of the initiative can be attributed to committed farmers like Mutize, Chinyanga, and Zvomarima, who have been part of the program since 2004 and are still executing the trials. Farmer commitment, progressive learning, and cultivating team spirit have been the success factors in implementing these trials. CIMMYT’s long-term advocacy and learning from the farmers has been key to a more sustainable, resilient, and empowered farming community.
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