Skip to main content

Tag: climate change

Decades of on-station conservation agriculture trials reveal key farming insights for Zambia’s changing climate

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in Blogs.

Aerial view of one of the long-term, on-station trials on conservation agriculture, CIMMYT (Photo: CIMMYT).

Long-term research rarely offers quick fixes. More often, it is a patient pursuit, marked by seasons of uncertainty, occasional setbacks, and gradual, hard-won insights. Yet, when carefully managed, its outcomes can redefine farming systems and adaptation strategies to long-term climate trends.  

This is the story of CIMMYT‘s persistence, working alongside Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture to maintain some of Southern Africa’s most critical long-term Conservation Agriculture (CA) experiments for over two decades. 

Scattered across Zambia’s contrasting agro-ecological zones, from the high rainfall Northern province to the drought-prone Southern Province, and the tropical savanna climate in the Eastern province, the Misamfu Research Station, Monze Farmer Training Centre, and Msekera Research Station have hosted these long-term trials, with Monze being established in 2005, Msekera in 2011, and Misamfu in 2016. Through searing droughts, erratic rainfall, floods, pest outbreaks and changing policy landscapes, these stations have systematically tested CA principles over multiple seasons, focusing on crop productivity, economic viability, and soil health, pest and disease dynamics, soil moisture and climate resilience among other aspects, to adapt CA to local farming conditions. More importantly, they have adapted these principles to Zambia’s diverse socio-economic realities and contexts. 

 

Testing CA under Zambia’s climate gradients

At the core of these trials is a simple, but essential question: “Can CA systems be adapted to Zambia’s smallholder farmer conditions to improve productivity, soil health, and resilience under climate variability?” 

Each research station offers a unique window into answering this question. For instance, Monze Farmer Training Centre located in Zambia’s Southern Province, hosts one of the oldest CA trials in the region. In addition, originally set up with eight main treatments and 32 trial plots, it has since expanded to 48 plots consisting of 12 treatments, testing CA under no-tillage against conventional plough-based systems with maize, cotton and sun hemp rotations of varying sequences. The plots have accumulated invaluable data, owing to the detailed and precise monitoring of yields, soil moisture, infiltration rates, pest and disease dynamics, soil quality indicators, and soil organic matter, year after year. 

Christian Thierfelder, CIMMYT’s Principal Cropping Systems Agronomist and founder of all long-term experiments reflects, “When we started, CA was a hot topic in Zambia. We wanted to know its benefits if you persist with these systems under Zambia’s conditions, not just for three or five years, but over decades”. 

Two decades later, key findings from these trials reveal that rotations that include cotton and/or sun hemp consistently outperform others in maize yields due to the nitrogen-fixing and soil-improving effects of the legume and deep-rooting cotton. CA plots, especially those combining minimum tillage, residue retention, and rotations, also demonstrate better soil moisture retention and infiltration, even in drought years. In fact, one striking observation has been that during intense rainfall events, water infiltration under CA plots is dramatically higher than under conventional systems, reducing flooding, erosion, and surface run-off. CA plots absorb and retain more moisture, a significant advantage as rainfall patterns become more erratic. 

However, the trials have also revealed complex trade-offs that researchers alike must accommodate. For example, while the maize-cotton-sun hemp rotation delivers exceptional yields, its economic viability hinges on market dynamics. When sun hemp seed and cotton commanded reasonable prices in the past, the system was highly profitable; in its absence, farmers risk sacrificing income for soil benefits alone. Another surprising insight comes from long-term soil organic carbon (SOC) trends. While CA systems reduce erosion and improve infiltration, the anticipated build-up of SOC has remained elusive, except at one long-term trial site outside Zambia at the Chitedze Research Station in Malawi. Thierfelder notes, “Declining rainfall, declining biomass, and declining soil carbon levels are interconnected. CA alone may not reverse these trends unless combined with complementary practices like manure application or agroforestry species.” 

A snapshot of different trials being implemented at Monze FTC and Misamfu Research station, CIMMYT (Photo: CIMMYT).

Adapting CA for high-rainfall areas

Misamfu Research Station, in Zambia’s wetter Northern Province, has wrestled with another challenge: CA’s performance under high-rainfall conditions. Since 2016, Misamfu has hosted the long-term CA systems trial. Originally designed to conserve moisture, CA systems, especially when planted on the flat, struggle with too much moisture, leading to waterlogging, and here, not drought, is the problem. CA plots without drainage interventions have underperformed in very wet years. Yet, new innovations are emerging. Permanent raised-beds and permanent ridges, two promising CA systems developed under irrigated systems, are showing promise by improving drainage while retaining CA’s soil health benefits. 

 “In relatively dry years, CA systems shine,” explains Thierfelder, “but under waterlogged conditions, we now know that permanent raised beds or ridges could be the missing link.” “Over the long-term, CA systems planted on the flat are capable of buffering high rainfall effects, probably due to improved infiltration”, remarked Blessing Mhlanga, CIMMYT’s Cropping Systems Agronomist.  

Capturing cumulative effects over time

Since 2011, the CA long-term experiment at Msekera Research Station in Eastern Zambia has revealed how CA performs beyond short-term seasonal gains. Unlike seasonal experiments, these trials capture the gradual, cumulative effects of CA on soil health, water use, weed and pest dynamics, and crop yields under real-world conditions. With ten treatments, including conventional tillage, ridge and furrow systems, and CA practices- such as direct seeding, residue retention, and crop rotations, the trials provide critical evidence. So far, results from Msekera show that no-tillage systems with crop residue retention, especially when combined with crop rotations, significantly improve soil moisture retention and structure, leading to more stable crop production over time. 

Why long-term matters

Long-term trials are essential to fully understand the benefits and limitations of CA across a full spectrum of climate conditions. Such trials require consistent donor support, strong partnerships with research station managers, and effective field management. Unlike short-term experiments, long-term trials capture the cumulative effects of CA practices across diverse seasons, including droughts and floods.  

These trials also show that CA is not a one-size-fits-all solution — its success hinges on continuous application over time. Since to date, rainfall patterns cannot be predicted precisely, deciding to adopt CA only in dry years is ineffective. Instead, long-term trials reveal how CA builds resilience and improves productivity year after year. 

This body of work is more than just a collection of experiments. It is a living archive, many years of climate, crop, and soil interactions, yielding insights impossible to capture through short-term trials. “We learned, for example, that infiltration rates under CA improved noticeably within just two years,” says Thierfelder. “But understanding yield trends, soil fertility dynamics or the role of rotations takes decades.” Moreover, these trials have shown that CA is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Its benefits are context-specific, often requiring adaptive management depending on rainfall, soil type, and market conditions. 

From plots to farmers’ fields

The value of this long-term work extends beyond research stations. Field days and exposure visits have allowed farmers and extension officers to engage directly with these trials, drawing lessons for their own fields. In some regions, farmers are already adapting lessons, adopting rotations, maintaining residues, experimenting with raised beds and permanent ridges, and tailoring CA to their realities. Importantly, the trials continue to evolve. While core treatments remain unchanged to preserve data integrity, small innovations, such as integrating manure or testing alternative rotations, are helping to sharpen recommendations for the next generation of CA practitioners. 

An aerial view of a mother trial implementer in Zambia, SIFAZ (Photo: CIMMYT).

The road ahead

As climate variability intensifies, the value of long-term research becomes even more critical. These trials offer answers to one of agriculture’s most urgent questions: How can CA be fine-tuned to deliver resilience and productivity? This is not just a scientific quest; it is about securing the future of Zambia’s smallholders, helping them navigate a more uncertain climate future, and ensuring their fields remain productive for the next generations. 

Small grains and new methods bring resilience to Zimbabwean farmers

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in In the media.

In Zimbabwe, farmers are turning to conservation agriculture and climate-resilient crops such as millet, sorghum and cowpeas in order to combat the growing threat of drought, which has been exacerbated by El Niño. Traditional farming methods have left soils degraded and yields diminished, prompting many farmers, such as Memory Mukototse from Kaidza village, to adopt new techniques through programmes like the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, which is led by the World Food Programme.

By comparing conservation and conventional farming methods, farmers have discovered that practices such as minimal soil disturbance, crop rotation and maintaining ground cover can greatly enhance harvests and improve water retention. Backed by CIMMYT, this farmer-driven research and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, facilitated through seed fairs, group coordination and exchange visits, has not only enhanced food security, but also empowered communities to adapt and flourish in the face of challenging climatic conditions.

Read the full story.

Reinventing mechanization for Southern Zambia’s drylands: The story of Joe Akombaetwa

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Joe Akombaetwa shows the improved no-till multi-crop planter fitted with a T-bar and furrow kits (Photo: CIMMYT)

In Dumba Camp, a small farming community in Mazabuka District, Joe Akombaetwa is proving that even in the face of unreliable rains and poor soils, small shifts in how farmers work the land can make all the difference. A farmer since 1992, Joe has lived through the growing impacts of climate change, its frequent shocks to the rain-fed systems, and the high risks it brings to farming families in Zambia’s Southern Province. For the past five years, he has worked as one of the earliest mechanization service providers (SPs) under the European Union-funded Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project. As a SIFAZ service provider, Joe acquired a set of machinery, including a two-wheel tractor, a trailer, a multi-crop thresher, and a sheller in 2021. Since then, he has been offering paid mechanization services to farmers in his community. But more than a service provider, Joe is an innovator, a machinery fabricator, and a businessman, creating tailor-made climate-smart mechanization solutions with the support of the SIFAZ project, responding directly to the challenges faced by farmers in his community.

Grounding innovation in reality

Joe’s innovations aren’t conceived in a lab—they’re forged in the field, shaped by the lived realities of his fellow smallholder farmers. One of his earliest breakthroughs came when he collaborated with SIFAZ engineers to design a T-bar to modify the Chinese single-row, no-till multi-crop planters into a double-row planter for a two-wheel tractor, allowing simultaneous planting of two rows instead of just one.

The original single-row planters, while functional, were slow and inefficient. “We wanted to save time and get the work done faster,” Joe explains. “So, we created the T-bar so that two planters could work together in tandem.”

But the innovation didn’t stop there. Joe received feedback from the farmers on the issue of high side separation between the seed and fertilizer openers on the planter. This high side separation of about 120 mm might be useful to reduce seed burning in an irrigated system for which the planter was developed, but Joe and his client farmers in the rain-fed system noticed reduced early plant growth, evidently resulting from delayed nutrient access by young seedlings of the crops. Further, the furrow covered by the press wheels of the planter was not optimum (leaving some seeds uncovered with soil), leading to germination failures.

With his own hands and tools, together with the SIFAZ engineers, Joe redesigned the seed placement system by better aligning the seed and fertilizer openers (with 50 mm side separation) and developing a flexible seed-covering kit fitted before each press wheel on the planter. These modifications addressed what agronomists refer to as “placement efficiency”, but for Joe, it was simply about “getting the seed and fertilizer placed close to each other for the plants to access the fertilizer early and firmly cover the seeds for optimum emergence.” To further improve performance, he added a balancing bar to help stabilize the planter across uneven ground, making the machine more practical for Southern Province’s uneven terrains and varying soil textures.

Joe demonstrates his two-wheel tractor mini boom sprayer to the CIMMYT mechanization team (Photo: CIMMYT)

Bridging science with farmer-led solutions

Joe’s hands-on creativity is not new. Back in 2010, he was part of the team that co-developed an animal-drawn ripper, a widely adopted tool that aligns with Conservation Agriculture (CA) principles by reducing soil disturbance.

With a background in blacksmithing and metal fabrication from Kasisi, and early career exposure to seed certification at ACCI in Chilanga, Joe has long moved between formal agriculture and on-the-ground adaptation. Joe is aware of declining draft animals and the aging of the farmers in Zambia, which adds to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. He sees a declining interest of rural youths in agriculture who do not want to walk behind the beasts or do labor-intensive manual work. Observing the ease with which large-scale commercial farmers operate rippers and boom sprayers, Joe wondered, “Why not adapt this to smallholder needs?”

Joe designed a double-row ripper and a mini boom sprayer for use with a two-wheel tractor. Compared to the traditional animal-drawn single-row rippers or the knapsack sprayers, the two-wheel tractor double-row ripper saves not only time, costs, and drudgery, but also makes farming interesting. “In just ten minutes, I can finish spraying a 16 m by 39 m field,” he says. It’s a leap in efficiency, and for farmers, who often juggle time, labor, and resource constraints, it’s a game-changer! Joe has sold a few rippers and boom sprayers to his neighboring farmers and different projects. The demand for the machinery is on the rise, which encourages him as a rural manufacturer.

Business with a purpose

Joe isn’t only an innovator; he’s also a sharp businessman. From ripping and planting to boom spraying and shelling maize, his mechanization services are in high demand among farmers in and around Dumba Camp. “Ripping has been the most profitable,” he notes. “Almost every farmer now wants it because of the sustainable farming practices introduced by SIFAZ.” He charges based on plot size and crop type, typically around ZMW 200–450 per hectare (approximately US$7–16) for services like no-till planting. But he also knows the realities farmers face. “Sometimes, I negotiate. I don’t want the price to scare away the farmers.” Demonstration days and field shows are his marketing lifeline. From the Cotton Development Trust-organized mechanization field days to local radio promotions, Joe has built a network of trust and visibility. He’s become a go-to name in the Dumba Camp and beyond.

Joe stands with his 80-year-old client, who, thanks to hiring the no-till soybean planting service, is able to keep his family farm running despite his children’s absence. (Photo: Md A Matin, CIMMYT)

Staying afloat in tough seasons

Last season, the El Niño-induced drought was a huge blow in farmers’ fields. Poor and uneven rainfall and economic strain slashed demand for mechanization services. But Joe stayed afloat by leaning on his farmer instincts. He didn’t sell off all his harvest, but instead, he stored 100 bags of maize and sold another 100 bags to have money for living. That food sovereignty, paired with diversified income from shelling and ripping, kept his business breathing through the drought.

A legacy in the making

Behind the machines and modifications is a father of five, two of whom are already following in his footsteps, bringing civil engineering skills into the family’s growing innovation portfolio. It’s a quiet generational shift powered by resilience, knowledge sharing, and an openness to adapt. Joe’s story reminds us that the future of farming isn’t only shaped by distant policies or global climate models, but also built, welded, and tested in the fields of Southern Zambia, where farmer-innovators like Joe bridge the gap between science and local adaptation.

Sugar Signalling Breakthrough Could Increase Wheat Yields by Up to 12%

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

Extensive multi-year field trials conducted by CIMMYT in Mexico played a pivotal role in validating the efficacy of the Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) spray treatment, confirming its potential to boost wheat yields by up to 12%. Despite challenges posed by fluctuating rainfall—an increasingly common constraint under climate change—CIMMYT’s trial plots consistently outperformed untreated controls across four consecutive crop cycles. These results underscore CIMMYT’s leadership in translating laboratory innovations into resilient, field-ready solutions that enhance food security while advancing sustainable agrifood systems in diverse agroecological conditions.

Read the full story.

Sowing knowledge, Reaping impact: Lydia’s journey from trial farmer to community leader in Monze, Zambia

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Lydia Siankwede explaining her mother trial demonstration to agronomists, sharing insights and results (photo: CIMMYT)

An early morning walk across the fields in Zambia’s Southern province, one is met with maize fields infested with fall armyworm. In contrast to last season’s El Nino induced drought, and as we approached Lydia Siankwede’s field, one is met with her thriving maize and legume field, with its deep-green canopy signaling strong growth and optimal soil health in her crop.

Each morning, Lydia tends to her field with an inquisitive mind, clutching her protocol, which serves as a guide for daily tasks. The dew clings to her shoes as she inspects each plot, checking crop performance, scouting for pests, and noting observations in her trial protocol. Yet beneath this plant vigor, a silent threat lurks—fall armyworm, its larvae discreetly feeding on tender maize leaves.

Her field, which hosts a mother trial under the EU-funded Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) program, is a patchwork of promising technologies. A mother trial is a farmer-managed, researcher-led experiment that serves as a central site for testing a variety of agricultural treatments under controlled conditions.

Mother trials are part of a mother-and-baby trial approach—a participatory research model designed to test and disseminate new farming technologies while involving farmers in the evaluation process. The approach involves mother trials and baby trials. Baby trials are farmer-managed trials conducted across multiple locations, usually in individual farmers’ fields. Each participant chooses a subset of treatments from the mother trial to test in their own field under specific local conditions. In these mother-and-baby trials, science meets farmer reality, and knowledge grows with every season.

Across the Southern Province, mother-and-baby trials are part of a broader research effort to develop crop intensification practices tailored to smallholder farming systems. In Kazungula Camp, where rainfall is low and erratic, the focus has been on integrating livestock and crop systems, rotating maize with fodder legumes like mucuna and lablab. In other communities, experiments are ongoing with integrating soybean into the maize-based cropping systems and intensifying them with pigeon pea and Gliricidia, both leguminous shrubs that provide fodder and enhance soil fertility. Each treatment is carefully monitored across experimental plots over several seasons to assess its effect on yields, soil health, pest pressure, and its longer-term impact in light of a changing climate.

Lydia, a hardworking farmer with 11 hectares of cultivable land, began her journey as a baby trial implementer, testing a single conservation agriculture (CA) practice in her own field. But her passion for learning and strong work ethic quickly set her apart. Within three years, she transitioned to managing a full-scale mother trial, giving her the opportunity to test a wider array and bundle of technologies across a larger plot. Today, Lydia experiments with crop rotations, intercropping, and fodder management—practices designed to boost productivity for humans, soil, and animals; build resilience; and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

A maize–velvet bean (mucuna) rotation aimed at improving maize yield, soil fertility, and fodder production in Southern Zambia. (Photo: CIMMYT)

What do the agronomic results bring to the table?

Each season, unique by nature, has brought valuable lessons, with promising long-term results. Since 2021, more than 1,200 farmers in Kazungula Camp, including Lydia, have adopted CA-based crop rotations beyond the trials. While yield gains for maize and legumes are not always immediate, economic analyses consistently show that CA systems generate higher returns compared to conventional tillage systems with sole maize cropping. This proved especially important in years such as 2023/24, when rainfall barely reached 373 mm due to an unprecedented El Niño year. In Kazungula, trials on maize–mucuna strip cropping and maize–lablab rotations showed resilience, with farmers expressing strong interest in growing more fodder and advancing seed multiplication for these crops.

Her reality on-farm

For Lydia, these trials are more than research—they are a valuable tool for transformation. What impressed her most was the maize–lablab rotation. “It’s a game changer for me,” she says. “Lablab suppresses weeds, improves the soil, and even the leaves and pods are useful to eat as relish.” Although lablab is primarily cultivated as animal feed, Lydia’s family has started to enjoy lablab as part of their diet, reducing food costs and increasing nutrition.

In addition, the strip cropping of alternating four rows of narrowly planted maize with four legume rows has also impressed her, especially in terms of weed management. “Weeds are easier to manage, and although armyworm damage is present, it is not destructive,” she explains.

Her determination has grown with each season. Last year, Lydia harvested just 50 bags of maize from scattered parts of her trial field. But instead of pulling back, she leaned in. This season, with better planning and deeper knowledge, she expects to harvest up to 300 bags—enough to feed her household of seven and still have a surplus to sell.

Lydia’s story highlights how participatory research can empower farmers to lead change from the ground up. With access to the right knowledge, support, and tools, she is not merely surviving uncertain seasons—she is farming with purpose.

Caring for the Earth to Secure the Future

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

The first leaves of a crop emerging through crop residue. (Photo: CIMMYT)

“The conventional way we used to prepare the land involved heavy soil disturbance, and now we see that’s not necessary. We used pesticides that were, let’s say, not kind to the soil. Now, we are becoming increasingly mindful of the environment — and it turns out to be more profitable. Today, I wouldn’t dare use a pesticide or any polluting product that could harm people or the environment.”

Leopoldo is a farmer from Sinaloa participating in the Supporting Responsible Sourcing in Mexico project — a collaboration between Kellogg Company and CIMMYT. For him, ceasing the practice of burning crop residues and instead using them to cover and protect the soil from erosion signifies a shift in values and a better way of practicing agriculture — one that actively contributes to regenerating the Earth.

The agronomic innovations adopted by farmers involved in the project promote a more balanced relationship with nature, aiming to strengthen a responsible sourcing model that ensures equilibrium between the economic, social, and environmental needs of both current and future generations. This contributes to a more sustainable production and consumption model, capable of feeding a growing global population within planetary boundaries.

If current patterns of production and consumption persist, it is estimated that in less than 30 years we would require the resources of three Earths to meet global needs. The rising scarcity of water and the reduction in arable land—driven by urban expansion and soil degradation—are clear reminders that our planet’s natural resources are finite. These facts underline the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices in agrifood systems.

Within the observance of International Mother Earth Day, efforts like the Supporting Responsible Sourcing in Mexico project serve as a reminder of the importance of forging a new relationship with the planet. Above all, they emphasize recognizing the Earth and its ecosystems as the shared home of all humanity. Failing to care for this home could lead us into further crises — in health, socioeconomic stability, and food security — and agriculture offers powerful solutions to safeguard this common home.

Globally, the agriculture sector is responsible for 24% of greenhouse gas emissions — which contribute to climate change — and 70% of freshwater withdrawals from rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Additionally, for every 1°C increase in global temperature, cereal yields are estimated to decrease by about 5%. Therefore, a new model of sustainable production and consumption must aim for reduced environmental impact, while increasing productivity and delivering benefits for farmers.

The Conservation Agriculture practices promoted by the Kellogg-CIMMYT project are advancing these goals: in just three years of work in Sinaloa and Guanajuato, nearly 7,000 hectares have adopted sustainable agricultural practices, leading to a 36% increase in average maize productivity. In 2021 alone, more than 350 farmers were engaged across over 2,400 hectares, producing nearly 26,000 tons of yellow maize through sustainable intensification technologies.

Looking ahead, the initiative aims to impact around 20,000 hectares to produce close to 180,000 tons of maize with a reduced carbon footprint. Already, farmers have achieved reductions in fuel use for grain production and improved water-use efficiency in irrigation.

“We save on machinery, on fuel, on agrochemicals, and on fertilizers. Now we produce with higher quality and at a lower cost because we practice minimal tillage. They also teach us integrated pest management and even how to optimize fertilizer use,” says Leopoldo, highlighting a system that also eliminates crop burning, one of the leading causes of wildfires.

By providing farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to integrate sustainable production methods, we benefit not only the Earth — but all of humanity.

Pest and disease attacks on crops rising due to climate change: Scientist

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

Pest and disease outbreaks in agriculture are increasing at an alarming rate due to the impacts of climate change, with shifting temperatures and erratic weather patterns creating favorable conditions for pests and pathogens to thrive. This growing challenge threatens crop yields and food security across climate-vulnerable regions. Dr. Prasanna Boddupalli, Distinguished Scientist and Regional Director for Asia at CIMMYT, underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient, pest- and disease-resistant crop varieties, alongside robust surveillance systems and strengthened capacity building. Addressing these risks through integrated, science-driven strategies is vital to safeguarding plant health and securing resilient agrifood systems for the future.

Read the full story.

Scaling conservation agriculture: Victor Munakabanze’s journey from trials to transformative adoption

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Victor Munakabanze in his field sharing his scaling story with scientists and district agriculture officers (Photo: CIMMYT)

Each annual field tour offers a fresh perspective on the realities farmers face. It’s a window into how different agroecological conditions shape farming experiences and outcomes, revealing what works in farmers’ fields and what doesn’t under an increasingly unpredictable climate.

This year, in Zambia’s Southern Province, the story is promising, as good rains have set the foundation for a favorable crop—a stark contrast to the past season, marked by the El Niño-induced drought.

In the Choma district’s Simaubi camp, Conservation Agriculture (CA) trials paint a picture of resilience and adaptation. The area experiences a semi-arid climate with erratic rainfall averaging 600–800 mm annually, often prone to dry spells and drought years, such as the last, when only 350–400 mm were received. The soils are predominantly of sandy loam texture, with low organic matter and poor water retention capacity, making them susceptible to drought stress.

The area around Simaubi hosts seven mother trials, where a wide range of technologies are tested, and 168 baby trials, where a subset of favored technologies are adapted to farmers’ contexts. Each trial tests different maize-legume intercropping and strip cropping systems against conventional tillage-based practices. As adoption steadily rises, more farmers are experiencing firsthand the benefits of sustainable intensification.

A Champion in the Making

Meet Victor Munakabanze, a farmer with decades of experience and a passion for learning. He began his CA journey as a baby trial implementer, experimenting with the four-row strip cropping system on a 10 m by 20 m plot, with four strips of ripped maize and four strips of ripped groundnuts. Starting in the 2020/21 season—despite a slow start—he persevered. Instead of giving up, he and his wife embarked on a learning journey that led them to scale up and champion CA technologies in their community.

Victor has been part of CA trials under the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project in the Southern Province for five years and has seen the power of small steps in driving change. His initial trial plots sparked hope, showing him that improved yields were possible even under challenging conditions. Encouraged by these results, he expanded his CA practices to a 1.5-hectare plot during the 2024/2025 cropping season, investing in his farm using income from goat sales. He successfully integrated livestock within the cropping system, using goat manure to complement fertilizers—an approach that has not only improved soil fertility but also strengthened the farm’s sustainability.

From Experimentation to Expansion

Victor’s decision to adopt CA at scale was driven by tangible results. He found that intercropping maize and groundnuts in well-spaced rip lines could optimize overall yields better than conventional methods.

However, the transition wasn’t without challenges. In the first season, he started late and harvested little. The following year, delayed planting resulted in just four bags of maize from the 200 m². The El Niño event during the 2023/24 season wiped out his harvest completely. But through each setback, he refined his approach, improving his planting timing and weed management by incorporating herbicides when needed.

Now, his farm serves as a learning hub for fellow farmers from the surrounding community in Simaubi camp. They are drawn in by his success, curious about his planting techniques, and impressed by his ability to integrate crops and livestock. With 23 goats, a growing knowledge base, and a determination to share his experience, Victor embodies the spirit of farmer-led innovation. His story is proof that CA can be practiced beyond the trial plots—it is about ownership, adaptation, and scaling what works.

Inspiring Adoption, One Farmer at a Time

Victor’s journey highlights a crucial lesson: when farmers see the benefits of CA on a small scale, they are more likely to adopt and expand these practices on their own. His resilience, coupled with a keen eye for what works, has made him a role model in his community. From testing to real-world application, his success is growing evidence of the replicability of CA technologies. As adoption spreads, stories like Victor’s pave the way for a future where sustainable farming is not just an experiment—but a way of life.

Bridging borders: A South-South exchange between Ethiopia and Nepal to tackle soil health challenges

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

CIMMYT and Nepalese delegation and Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center research team in the field (Photo: CIMMYT)

Soil health is fundamental to agricultural productivity, food security, and climate resilience. In Ethiopia and Nepal, deteriorating soil conditions—driven by acidity, nutrient depletion, and land degradation—pose a significant challenge to farmers and policymakers alike. Addressing these issues is not just a technical necessity but a pathway to ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability and economic stability.

Recognizing these shared challenges, CIMMYT facilitated a South-South exchange between Ethiopia and Nepal to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, and explore innovative solutions for improving soil health.

Shared challenges, shared solutions

Both Ethiopia and Nepal face persistent soil health challenges that hinder agricultural productivity. In Ethiopia, soil degradation—stemming from issues like soil acidity, salinity, and nutrient depletion—has become a barrier to achieving higher agricultural productivity. Similarly, Nepal is navigating soil health concerns amidst small landholdings, urban migration, and climate impacts.

For both nations, sustainable soil management is critical to strengthening their agricultural sectors. This exchange provided an opportunity for researchers, policymakers, and agricultural experts to learn from each other’s experiences, leveraging successful approaches to improve soil quality and boost productivity.

CIMMYT and Nepalese delegation listening to explanations by Experts and technicians about the various activities taking place at the soil and plan analysis laboratory
(Photo: CIMMYT)

A unique exchange of knowledge

From November 25–28, a Nepalese delegation—including CIMMYT scientists and representatives from Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)—visited Ethiopia to gain insights into its soil health initiatives.

Ethiopia has made significant progress in soil management through collaborations between government agencies, research institutions, and international partners. With CIMMYT’s support, the country has developed a National Soil Information System (NSIS), a comprehensive data-driven approach that guides interventions to improve soil health, increase productivity, and enhance food security.

During the visit, the Nepalese delegation met with leading Ethiopian institutions, including:

  • The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
  • The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)
  • The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI)
  • The Holeta Agricultural Research Center
  • The National Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center

Through site visits and discussions, the delegation explored Ethiopia’s Vertisol management strategies, sub-soil acidity solutions, and data-driven soil health policies—areas that could be adapted to Nepal’s agricultural landscape.

A shared commitment to agricultural innovation

Beyond knowledge exchange, the visit served as a catalyst for long-term collaboration between the two countries. CIMMYT has been working in Ethiopia for over three decades, supporting research and technology development to enhance soil health and food security. In Nepal, CIMMYT scientists collaborate with national partners to strengthen agricultural commercialization and climate resilience.

During their visit, Nepalese delegates expressed particular interest in Ethiopia’s Geo-Nutrition approach, which connects soil quality to human health by analyzing how soil nutrients influence the nutritional value of crops. Nepal sees great potential in adopting this model to enhance both agricultural and public health outcomes.

Shanta Karki, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (Photo: CIMMYT)

Shanta Karki, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, reflected on the visit: “The insights we gained in Ethiopia will be instrumental in improving our soil health strategies.

We see great potential for collaboration between Ethiopia and Nepal in tackling common challenges like soil acidity and water management.” She added that another key area of learning was Geo-Nutrition, an innovative field that connects soil health to human health.

The concept, which Ethiopia has been actively exploring, looks at how soil quality influences the nutritional value of crops and ultimately the health of the populations that depend on them. The Nepalese delegation saw this as an opportunity to further develop their own approach to improving soil and human health simultaneously.

Looking Ahead: Building stronger partnerships

Shanta Karki, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoA), presents a token of appreciation to Dr. Samuel Gameda, Senior Soil Scientist at CIMMYT-Ethiopia, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen partnerships between Nepal and Ethiopia in the framework of improving soil health (Photo: Desalegne Tadesse/CIMMYT)

As CIMMYT continues to facilitate South-South exchanges, the goal is to adapt successful models from Ethiopia to Nepal while drawing lessons from Nepal’s unique agricultural landscape. The delegation left Ethiopia with renewed motivation to enhance soil health, not just for the benefit of farmers but for broader food security and economic resilience.

Narayan Prasad Khanal, Business Development Manager at CIMMYT Nepal, emphasized the importance of such exchanges. “The lessons learned here, particularly on sub-soil acidity management and Geo-Nutrition, will be crucial for enhancing our regulatory systems and addressing challenges in Nepal’s agriculture. This experience has shown us how important it is to adapt successful models from other countries and incorporate them into our own agricultural practices.

Dr. Shree Prasad Vista, Senior Scientist at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), shares his reflections and lessons learned during the experience-sharing visit (Photo: Desalegne Tadesse/CIMMYT)

Shree Prasad Vista, Senior Scientist at the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), was particularly fascinated by Ethiopia’s innovative work on Vertisol management and soil acidity. He remarked, “The insights we gained from CIMMYT, particularly on Geo-Nutrition and soil acidity, will help enhance our agricultural practices and regulatory systems in Nepal.”

A Path toward collaborative solutions

As Ethiopia and Nepal continue to navigate similar agricultural challenges, the knowledge gained from this exchange will play a crucial role in shaping future soil health strategies. By learning from each other’s successes, both countries are positioning themselves to implement sustainable, climate-resilient soil management practices tailored to their unique context.

This exchange stands as a powerful example of how international collaboration fosters innovation, resilience, and food security. Through shared expertise and collective action, Ethiopia and Nepal are laying the foundation for stronger agricultural systems that will benefit future generations.

Decades of research deliver drought-tolerant maize for a hotter, uncertain future

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

In Zimbabwe, smallholder farmers like Ranganai Shonhiwa and Martha Chivengwa are facing the harsh realities of climate change, with erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts threatening their maize crops—their primary source of food and income. However, drought-tolerant maize varieties, developed through decades of research by CIMMYT and partners, are proving to be a game-changer. These resilient crops, combined with climate-smart farming practices such as reduced tillage and intercropping with legumes, are helping farmers maintain yields despite extreme weather conditions. With CIMMYT’s ongoing efforts in 19 districts across Zimbabwe, farmers are seeing improved harvests, increased incomes, and renewed hope for a more food-secure future.

Read the full story.

Advanced Training in Conservation Agriculture: Fostering Sustainable Agronomic Systems

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Participants attended the opening ceremony at NAS Complex in New Delhi (Photo: CIMMYT)

CIMMYT, the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) jointly organized a three-week training course on conservation agriculture (CA) and regenerative agriculture (RA). The program focused on the potential of sustainable farming methods as vital tools for managing risks in agrifood systems in both irrigated and rainfed areas.

Held from December 3–23, 2024, the training brought together farmers, scientists, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions to agrifood challenges. Sessions were held at the ICAR Indian Institute of Maize Research and BISA in Ludhiana, Punjab; the ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute in Karnal, Haryana; and the ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Building Resilient Agrifood Systems

Conservation agriculture (CA) and regenerative agriculture (RA) are approaches to land management that prioritize ecosystem health. These practices are based on three core principles: minimal soil disturbance, continuous soil cover, and crop diversification. Together, they improve yields, restore natural resources, reduce farming costs, and develop resilient agricultural systems that protect the environment, enhance climate resilience, and improve rural livelihoods, particularly in the Global South.

In South Asia, where rural communities rely heavily on natural resources, farmers face significant challenges, including loss of soil fertility, water scarcity, pollution, and the effects of climate change. These pressures are straining agricultural systems, particularly in irrigated and dryland farming areas.

Despite the clear benefits of CA, adoption remains limited due to barriers such as lack of knowledge on how to implement CA in different agro-ecologies, limited access to appropriate tools, insufficient policy support, and low awareness of the long-term benefits of CA. To address these challenges, training and capacity development are essential for scaling up CA technologies among smallholder farmers and ensuring their long-term impact.

The Advanced Course on CA/RA in Asia was launched in 2010 by CIMMYT in partnership with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to address the challenges of sustainable agriculture. Since its inception, advanced training workshops have been held annually, and this is the 13th edition.

The training bridges cutting-edge scientific research and multidisciplinary strategies, equipping participants with skills in sustainable intensification, diversification of production systems, resilience-building, and natural resource conservation. To date, CA training has benefited more than 220 researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners from 20 countries.

The 13th edition, held in India, welcomed mid-career researchers from Uzbekistan, Morocco, and India. The course was coordinated by Mahesh Gathala, Cropping Systems Agronomist, and Alison Laing, Agroecology Specialist, both from CIMMYT; Madhu Choudhary, Senior Scientist at ICAR-CSSRI; and Raj Kumar Jat, Senior Scientist at BISA.

Key Highlights of the Advanced Conservation Agriculture Training Course

The Advanced Conservation Agriculture (CA) course was inaugurated on December 4, 2024, at the NASC Complex in New Delhi. The inaugural address was delivered by S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General for Natural Resource Management at ICAR, who highlighted the importance of CA in addressing climate challenges and managing agronomic risks. Chaudhari emphasized CIMMYT’s leadership in promoting CA in India and reflected on the impact of the program, saying, “I have been watching this course for many years. Many young scientists have benefited from this course.” He also fondly recalled the inaugural training session held 13 years ago and extended his best wishes to all the participants. Watch his complete statement here.

Participants experiencing hands-on training at the BISA farm in Ludhiana.

During the course, participants explored a wide range of topics related to conservation agriculture (CA) and regenerative agriculture (RA) in different agro-ecologies. Key areas of focus included the role of emerging technologies such as drones, carbon credits, soil fertility, nutrient management, crop modeling, and soil testing in informing policy. Experts from various scientific disciplines provided valuable insights into cutting-edge research for both irrigated and dryland systems.

At BISA’s research station in Ludhiana, participants gained practical experience through hands-on training sessions conducted under the expert guidance of H.S. Sidhu and Manpreet Singh (both from Punjab Agricultural University), with the support of Pardeep Sangwal (BISA).

Participants learning new techniques at CSSRI, Karnal (Photo: CIMMYT)

The training included field visits to ICAR-CSSRI in Karnal, where Director R.K. Yadav, Madhu Choudhary, and Kailash Prajapat presented the Institute’s long-term conservation agriculture (CA) experiments. They also conducted hands-on demonstrations on soil biology and its role in generating evidence for policy decisions.

In addition, Mahesh Gathala conducted hands-on training in basic soil physical and chemical analysis techniques at joint ICAR-CIMMYT field plots in Karnal.

Special visits were organized to innovative agricultural machinery manufacturers, including Landforce and National Agroindustry, where participants observed advanced manufacturing techniques and explored the latest agricultural equipment.

Participants also interacted with the manufacturers’ association at the 5th India International Agri Expo in Ludhiana, gaining insights into emerging trends in agricultural machinery.

Participants visited the National Agro manufacturing unit in Ludhiana, Punjab (Photo: CIMMYT)

In addition, a village visit outside Karnal gave participants the opportunity to interact with farmers practicing conservation agriculture (CA). Farmers shared their experiences, giving participants a first-hand look at the practical benefits and real-world impact of CA on farming communities.

A visit to Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab (Photo: CIMMYT)

The success of the program underscores the importance of continued collaboration and training in advancing sustainable agricultural practices. By equipping participants with practical skills, cutting-edge knowledge, and opportunities to connect with peers across regions, the training was instrumental in advancing conservation agriculture (CA) and regenerative agriculture (RA).

Participants left the program with enhanced technical expertise, greater confidence in applying CA practices, and valuable insights into emerging areas such as carbon credit schemes and innovative agricultural technologies. These results underscore the critical role of capacity development in strengthening food security, building climate resilience, and promoting sustainable development in the Global South.

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29): Navigating Food Systems and Climate Challenges

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

From 11 -22 November 2024, global leaders convened in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29. Dubbed the finance COP, critical intersections of climate change, food systems, and sustainable development took center stage. This year’s conference reflected both the progress and the persistent challenges in addressing the climate crisis, marking a critical moment in the climate negotiations. 

Food Systems at the Forefront 

COP29 highlighted the undeniable importance of transforming global food systems as a cornerstone of effective climate action. Initiatives like the Harmoniya platform and the Declaration on Methane from Organic Waste shows the global community’s recognition of agriculture as both a contributor to and a solution for greenhouse gas emissions. However, the broader discussions were a reminder of the gap between ambition and implementation, with financial commitments and concrete action plans often falling short. 

While food systems gained visibility, the debates often revealed tensions, particularly on issues like global stocktake outcomes, financing, and the integration of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Despite these challenges, the coordination and cohesion within the food systems community were commendable, reflecting a collective resolve to carry the momentum forward. 

COP 29 – Baku, Azerbaijan

Key Outcomes and Agreements 

  1. Climate Finance and the NCQG

A central focus of COP29 was the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG). While the actual need for climate finance is estimated at $1.3 trillion annually, the outcomes of COP29 fell short, with only $300 billion explicitly committed to developing countries. The inclusion of voluntary contributions from non-traditional donors like China and the UAE added nuance but failed to resolve the broader financial gaps. 

  1. Mitigation Work Programme

Discussions on the Mitigation Work Programme highlighted fundamental disagreements over whether the program should prioritize specific actions linked to the global stocktake. While some nations sought prescriptive approaches, others emphasized the voluntary nature of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These debates highlight the complexities of aligning global and national climate priorities. 

  1. Adaptation and Resilience

The global goal on adaptation progressed with the launch of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap, though challenges remain in refining and agreeing upon adaptation-related indicators. Meanwhile, the Sharm El Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture and Food Security moved forward with plans for an online portal to share best practices and tools for climate action. 

  1. Collaborative Frameworks

The conference saw advancements in collaborative mechanisms such as the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism under Article 6, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in carbon markets. Platforms like Harmoniya and the Global Nitrous Oxide Hub were also launched to streamline efforts in addressing specific climate challenges. 

CIMMYT at COP29

Amid these broader discussions, CIMMYT came out to strongly champion for the alignment of scientific innovation with the practical challenges of transforming food systems. Sieglinde Snapp and Tek Sapkota represented CIMMYT at high-level side events, highlighting the critical need to leverage research to tackle climate challenges. Their contributions focused on developing actionable pathways to bridge the persistent gap between ambitious goals and effective implementation. 

Participation in high-level panel discussions

Date: November 12, 2024 
Event: High-Level Panel on Sustainable Agriculture 

Tek Sapkota shared CIMMYT’s efforts in advancing food systems, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability, aligning with the UAE COP28 Declaration on sustainable agriculture. The event featured remarks from distinguished leaders, including H.E. President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia, H.E. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, and H.E. Amna Al Dahak of the United Arab Emirates among other world leaders.  

Date: November 18, 2024 

Event: Making Agriculture Smart by Going Wild

Sieglinde Snapp was part of panel discussions chaired by the United Kingdom Nature minister to discuss leveraging wild crop relatives and underutilized species to enhance agricultural resilience against climate risks. She highlighted CIMMYT’s efforts towards biodiversity in achieving food security. 

(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)
(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)
(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)
(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)

Other events include: 

  • Scaling Innovations for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
    Date: November 12, 2024
    Presented CIMMYT’s research on precision agriculture, showcasing strategies for leveraging site-specific nutrient management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food production and supporting food security. (Link recording) 
  • Pre-COP30 Discussions on Fertilizer Innovations
    Date: November 14, 2024
    Highlighted innovative technologies in fertilizer production and management as part of technological breakthrough to reduce GHG emissions from agricultural sectors.  (Link recording) 
  • Partnerships for Soil Health and Agricultural Resilience
    Date: November 15, 2024
    Explored the role of public-private partnerships in advancing soil health and resilience. The discussion highlighted innovative soil management technologies that conserve nitrogen, preserve soil organic carbon, and promote climate-smart agriculture.  
  • Enhancing Soil Health for Climate Action
    Date: November 16, 2024
    Addressed practical strategies for improving soil health to mitigate climate change and enhance agricultural sustainability. (Link recording) 
  • CGIAR Panel Discussion on Innovation in Soil Fertility Management
    Date: November 18, 2024
    Shared insights on advancing soil fertility management through cutting-edge innovations that balance productivity and sustainability. (Link recording) 
  • Global Nitrous Oxide Hub Launch
    Date: November 19, 2024
    Discussed the importance of reducing nitrous oxide emissions in agriculture, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.  
  • VACS Networking Events
    Date: November 19, 2024
    Discussions highlighting public-private-civil society partnerships for sustaining agricultural resilience and advancing the VACS agenda.  
  • Launch of the 2024 Breakthrough Agenda Report
    Date: November 20, 2024
    (Link recording) 

 

Non-Negotiated Outcomes

Beyond formal agreements, COP29 featured significant declarations and initiatives that highlight emerging priorities: 

The Road Ahead: From Baku to Belém

As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the outcomes of COP29 provide both lessons and opportunities. CIMMYT, aligned with the CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, is uniquely positioned to drive transformative action in food systems. 

Key priorities for COP 30 include: 

  • Strengthening Finance Mechanisms: Addressing the financial gaps in adaptation and mitigation efforts, particularly for low-income nations. 
  • Scaling Collaborative Initiatives: Building on platforms like Harmoniya to foster cross-sectoral and international collaboration. 
  • Embedding Food Systems in Climate Policy: Ensuring that agriculture and food systems are integral to NDCs and national adaptation plans. 
  • Advancing Science for Action: Driving actionable research to close gaps in implementation, particularly in nutrient management and biodiversity conservation. 

In Zimbabwe, Women Are Leading the Battle Against Climate Change

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT, through the CGIAR-supported Ukama Ustawi initiative, is supporting women farmers in Zimbabwe to lead the fight against climate change. By adopting climate-smart practices like zero tillage and growing drought-resistant crops such as orange maize, cowpeas, and lab-lab, farmers like Susan Chinyengetere are ensuring food security, generating income, and inspiring others. These techniques not only strengthen resilience against erratic weather but also enable women to balance traditional roles while driving sustainable agriculture. With access to affordable seeds, mechanization, and strong farmer networks, CIMMYT is fostering lasting solutions to climate adaptation across Zimbabwe and beyond.

Read the full story.

Climate Change and Child Malnutrition in Zimbabwe: Evidence to Action

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Climate Change and Child Malnutrition in Zimbabwe: Evidence to Action will generate evidence to understand the effects of climate change on child malnutrition in rural Zimbabwe. The overarching hypothesis is that climate change and related weather events indirectly increase child malnutrition by increasing food insecurity and decreasing dietary diversity.

This project will use a multisectoral approach to evidence generation and co-creation of community and policy action that incorporates village, district, provincial and national participation. The project aims to generate evidence linking climate change to malnutrition and co-develop mitigation strategies with communities that directly address the link between climate change and malnutrition.

The project has four activities:

  1. Examine the relationship between climate change in rural Zimbabwe and patterns of malnutrition utilizing environmental data (rainfall, temperature) and national Zimbabwe survey data (livelihoods, climate change mitigation strategies, dietary diversity and child malnutrition).
  2. Explore community understanding of the relationships between climate change and malnutrition with a mixed methods approach in two districts (survey and community-led workshops).
  3. Co-develop and refine climate-smart strategies that address the effects of climate change on malnutrition with agricultural and health cadres.
  4. Develop a communication plan with policymakers to disseminate findings about the relationship between climate change to child malnutrition.

Objectives:

  1. Use environmental data and national-level survey data on climate change and shocks related to climate change and examine associations with nutritional outcomes including food security, dietary diversity and child malnutrition.
  2. Conduct household surveys to understand how agricultural and child feeding practices change under climate variability.
  3. Conduct community workshops using community walks and River of Life Methodology to understand community perspectives on the relationship between climate change and child malnutrition.
  4. Co-develop and refine climate-smart strategies that communities can implement to directly address the relationship between climate change and malnutrition.
  5. Pilot implementation of strategies in two sites utilizing community health and agricultural extension workers.
  6. Share results with policy makers to contextualize malnutrition in the context of climate change policy.

Climate Change Threatens Agriculture In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Farmers Struggle To Cope

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT is at the forefront of addressing climate change challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) by introducing drought-tolerant wheat varieties and hybrid seeds for vegetables, tailored to withstand water scarcity, heat stress, and erratic rainfall. Through collaborations with local research institutions, CIMMYT equips farmers with innovative solutions to sustain crop productivity in the face of extreme weather. These efforts directly support smallholder farmers in building resilience and securing their livelihoods amidst the growing threats posed by climate change.

Read the full story.