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Tag: gender and social inclusion

Atubandike: Breaking down gender barriers in Zambia’s agricultural advisory services

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

A digital champion trained by CIMMYT in climate-smart agricultural practices, shares her knowledge with her community (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti/CIMMYT)

Zambia’s agricultural sector has long grappled with significant gender disparities, particularly in rural areas where women often face unique barriers to accessing essential agricultural information. Despite playing a critical role in food production, women remain significantly underrepresented as agricultural extension agents, a trend that persists not only in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) but also globally. Changing this narrative demands a coordinated effort from government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the private sector and communities to challenge deep-rooted stereotypes about women’s roles and capabilities in agriculture.[1]

The Atubandike approach, a key part of the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub, addresses these challenges head on. Through initiatives focusing on gender-inclusive seed systems and agricultural advisories on climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices, Atubandike is actively working to increase women’s representation among Zambia’s agricultural advisors. By equipping communities with inclusive advisory services and training women and men digital champions, Atubandike is paving the way for a more equitable agricultural future.

This blog delves into the gender biases uncovered during recent community consultations organized by the AID-I Atubandike team in Zambia’s Southern Province across various rural districts, held in November 2023, as well as July 2024.[2] These consultations, aimed at addressing gender and youth stereotypes in agriculture, highlighted Atubandike’s initiatives to reshape the agricultural landscape for women and marginalized groups.

Community dialogues reveal deep-rooted gender biases in advisory access and spring up encouraging perspectives for female advisors

Staying true to the name, Atubandike—meaning “Let’s Chat” in Tonga—the AID-I team implementing the initiative, facilitated community discussions with over 1,700 farmers in Zambia’s Southern Province to explore underlying gender challenges in agriculture. Through these conversations, deep-seated gender biases emerged as a significant barrier. Many female agricultural advisors contend with cultural stereotypes that undermine their leadership and technical skills. As one participant noted, “Women are mostly seen as subordinates to men, so it is only natural that female agricultural advisors are viewed as less capable.” Such remarks highlight the difficult path women often tread to establish their authority in agricultural roles. Unfortunately, this bias isn’t limited to men; some female farmers also expressed a preference for male advisors, sharing the belief that “a fellow woman cannot provide valuable information.”

Women participating during a focus group discussion (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti/CIMMYT)

Studies on agricultural extension services confirm that  gender disparities in advisory roles severely  limit women farmers’ access to timely, high-quality  information in SSA and other developing regions. This, in turn, impedes their ability to boost productivity and provide for their families. [3] Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) are often designed with men as the primary beneficiaries, overlooking the need to make services more accessible and relevant to women. The dominance of male extension agents further exacerbates this issue, especially in societies where cultural norms restrict interactions between women and men outside their immediate family. These societal norms reinforce traditional gender roles, undermining the effectiveness of women as agricultural advisors. As a result, women are often excluded from opportunities that would enable them to fully participate in, and benefit from, agricultural development. This exclusion not only limits their potential but also perpetuates poverty and inequality.

On a positive note, a more nuanced perspective also emerged during the discussions. Some community members recognized the unique strengths that female advisors bring to their work. As one participant observed, “Female advisors are more careful and easier to talk to,” noting that women often prioritize technical knowledge, while men may base advice more on personal experience. This insight provides a glimmer of hope: with increased exposure and trust, farmers could become more receptive to female advisors, recognizing their effectiveness alongside their male colleagues.

A female farmer shares her experience during a CIMMYT visit to her village where farmers were discussing gender youth and social inclusion (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti/CIMMYT)

In some settings, women farmers even prefer female advisors, feeling more comfortable discussing issues and having a greater sense of shared experiences. According to a study conducted in Mozambique, women farmers were more likely to be reached as well as learn when agricultural content was delivered by female advisors. [4] This highlights the potential impact of gender-sensitive approaches in improving the efficacy and accessibility of advisory services for women.

Achieving equal footing for women in AAS requires addressing a broader range of barriers. This not only entails efforts to recruit and retain women in these roles but also providing equal opportunities for education and training, as well as developing explicit policies to safeguard women advisors from gender-based discrimination.

Breaking barriers: How Atubandike is transforming AAS

The goal of the Atubandike approach is to identify, understand and dismantle entrenched gender barriers in agriculture. By adopting an innovative and inclusive strategy, this initiative equips both men and women with the tools they need to become digital champions and agricultural advisors, playing pivotal roles in their communities. With a deliberate focus on increasing female representation, Atubandike ensures that at least 50% of these champions are women, amplifying their visibility and influence in the sector.

Central to Atubandike is its emphasis on community engagement through a feedback-driven process. This approach facilitates open dialogue among community members, urging them to confront existing social biases and develop practical solutions. Through these discussions, the initiative fosters collective action aimed at promoting gender equity and social inclusion. Additionally, Atubandike provides comprehensive training on gender, diversity, and inclusion, equipping its digital champions not only with technical knowledge but also with the skills required to challenge and navigate gender biases effectively.

One of the initiative’s most transformative elements is its focus on diverse role models. By ensuring that half of its village-based digital champions are women, Atubandike boosts their digital literacy, agricultural expertise, and standing as leaders and role models within their communities.[5] These women are featured prominently in digital content and on talk shows, reshaping perceptions of women as agricultural leaders and breaking down longstanding negative narratives that have historically sidelined them.

Sustaining Atubandike’s momentum: Community-driven support for female advisors

Community members balanced the discussions by proposing valuable insights and strategies to overcome the deeply rooted stereotypes that challenge female agricultural advisors. Raising community awareness about the value of female advisors emerged as a crucial approach to fostering their acceptance. As one participant emphasized, “More training on gender norms is essential so that the community can become more open-minded.” Others argued that establishing trust in female advisors from the outset could empower them as agents of change: “If we begin by placing our trust in female agricultural advisors, we can encourage other communities to do the same.”

Community leaders were urged to facilitate meetings to address any disrespect toward agricultural advisors, irrespective of gender. A farmer emphasized the necessity of mutual respect, stating, “The community should be encouraged to work cooperatively with their agricultural advisors.”

Participants also highlighted that agricultural advisors must actively demonstrate their competence to build trust. In one community, it was stressed that both female and male advisors “must practice the agricultural technologies they promote so that people can have faith in their competence.” Additionally, participants suggested that advisors wear uniforms to clearly distinguish their professional roles, signaling their commitment to serving the community in an official capacity.

A model for inclusive agricultural development

Atubandike transcends the role of a conventional agricultural advisory initiative; it stands as a beacon of inclusive development, extending its impact across Zambia and setting a model for the region. By delving into the roots of gender bias and driving practical, community-led solutions, Atubandike aligns with the AID-I project’s mission of “delivering with a difference.” Through empowering female digital champions and fostering dialogues on social equity, Atubandike demonstrates that meaningful change is both attainable and sustainable. As a testament to AID-I’s dedication to equitable innovation and resilience, Atubandike is not only reshaping gender norms in Zambia but is also establishing itself as a blueprint for inclusive impact across Southern Africa’s agricultural landscape.

[1] BenYishay, A., Jones, M., Kondylis, F., & Mobarak, A. M. (2020). Gender gaps in technology diffusion. Journal of development economics, 143, 102380.

[2] The informed consent statement and methodology used in the community conversations are available upon request m.fisher@cgiar.org.

[3]Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (2020). Gender and agricultural advisory services. https://www.gatesgenderequalitytoolbox.org/wp-content/uploads/BMGF_AG-Advisory-Services-Brief_web.pdf

[4] Kondylis, F., Mueller, V., Sheriff, G., & Zhu, S. (2016). Do female instructors reduce gender bias in the diffusion of sustainable land management techniques? Experimental evidence from Mozambique. World Development, 78, 436-449.

[5] Lecoutere, E., Spielman, D. J., & Van Campenhout, B. (2023). Empowering women through targeting information or role models: Evidence from an experiment in agricultural extension in Uganda. World Development, 167, 106240.

How Atubandike dialogues are redefining gender and youth inclusion in Zambian agriculture

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in Blogs.

Women and youth are essential drivers of agricultural and economic resilience in Zambia’s rural farming communities. However, they frequently encounter significant barriers such as restrictive social norms and inadequate access to vital resources which hinder their ability to participate fully in the economy.

Female youth sharing her views (Photo: Moono Seleketi).

Recognizing the critical roles of women and youth in shaping the present and future of Zambian agriculture, the ‘Atubandike’ approach, under CIMMYT’s USAID-funded Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub project, has been actively engaging with communities to address systemic barriers faced by these groups. This initiative combines digital tools with face-to-face interactions, creating spaces where community members can share their stories, challenges, and questions to co-create solutions.

Atubandike, which means ‘let’s have a conversation’ in the local Tongo language, was launched in Zambia in 2023 as an advisory service. The model represents a scalable, community-led approach that empowers marginalized groups, including women and youth, as active contributors and leaders in agriculture. With each interaction building upon the previous one, this ongoing work advances the broader mission of fostering inclusivity and resilience across Zambia’s agricultural sector.

To uncover and tackle the structural barriers faced by women and youth, the Atubandike team recently engaged over 1,700 farmers across 14 communities in Southern Zambia, gaining critical insights into the biases that persist in rural areas.

Stereotypes and structural barriers

The community conversations highlighted generational divides and deeply rooted stereotypes that cast youth as disengaged or disinterested in farming. Older community members opined that young people are more drawn to urban lifestyles and reluctant to take on the demanding labor associated with agriculture. One elderly farmer said: “Many youths prefer a comfortable lifestyle and quick money. They don’t have the patience for the hard work farming requires.”

In contrast, younger participants shared that this perception overlooks the genuine obstacles they face such as limited access to land, financing, training, and mentorship opportunities. They emphasized that their lack of involvement often stems from these barriers rather than a lack of motivation.

Young male farmer speaking (Photo: Moono Seleketi).

The consultations also underscored pervasive gender norms that limit women’s roles in agriculture. Despite their significant contributions to household food security, female farmers are often relegated to secondary roles, focusing on ‘women’s crops such as groundnuts, while men cultivate staple crops such as maize and cash crops such as soybean. A participant shared, “The community always perceives men as the real farmers because they are considered the heads of the household.” This perception frequently limits women’s access to critical resources and their decision-making power within the agricultural sphere.

However, through Atubandike’s sessions, communities are beginning to confront these entrenched norms, shedding light on the vital contributions of women and youth in agriculture. This shift is laying the groundwork for a more equitable approach, where both men and women, young and old, are recognized as essential to farming success and household resilience. As these conversations grow, Atubandike is paving the way for solutions that promise meaningful and lasting change for both women and youth in agriculture.

Community-driven solutions

  • Building youth capacity through skills and leadership: Many community members expressed a strong desire to see more youth involved in agricultural activities, emphasizing the importance of hands-on training. “We need to get the youth involved in actual farming [tasks] such as irrigation and crop management. It keeps them busy and teaches them valuable skills,” shared one local leader.

To support this vision, Atubandike is training young community members as digital champions, equipping them with both technical expertise and leadership skills that allow them to mentor their peers and encourage youth participation in agriculture. These digital champions not only extend the reach of Atubandike’s initiatives but also serve as relatable role models, inspiring other young people to engage in agriculture as well as see it as a viable and rewarding path.

  •  Towards a more inclusive future for Zambian agriculture
    The Atubandike initiative – by fostering open community dialogue, empowering digital champions, and promoting household-level collaboration – lays the foundation for a more inclusive future for Zambian agriculture. As each community engagement builds momentum, CIMMYT, through the AID-I project, creates a cycle of empowerment and growth that ensures women and youth are not only heard but also empowered to lead.
Women celebrating at community meeting (Photo: Moono Seleketi).

Amidst the challenges of erratic weather patterns and economic constraints, building resilience through cross-generational and gender-inclusive collaboration is crucial. Atubandike is addressing these geographic and social challenges and paving the way for a future where every farmer, regardless of age or gender, plays a pivotal role in Zambia’s agricultural success.

Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia: a boost for resilient agriculture

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

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 Colombia’s 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 production challenges 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. 

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. 

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. 

Breaking barriers in Mshewe: How Zinduka Women are Transforming Agriculture and Empowering Communities

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Features.

(Photo: CIMMYT)

In the sleepy village of Mshewe in Tanzania’s Mbeya District, a group of women is quietly revolutionizing their community through a powerful blend of agricultural entrepreneurship and social transformation. Since its inception in 2010, the Zinduka Women group has grown from a collective of women survivors of gender-based violence to an inspiring force for change that is uplifting families and challenging societal norms. 

Empowerment through economic independence is at the heart of their mission, and their name “Zinduka”— a Swahili word meaning “to wake up, come to one’s senses, or gain consciousness,”—aptly describes the group’s journey. Supported by the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) project, these women have moved beyond the shadows of their past to redefine their future. Today, they stand as role models, not only in agriculture but as champions of women’s empowerment.  

From Beans to Big Dreams 

Since their inception in 2010, the women of Zinduka have faced the challenges of limited yields and outdated farming methods. Taking a leap of faith, they sought out partnerships that could provide them with the necessary tools and training. Collaborating with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the women embarked on an ambitious two-year journey of modern agricultural training, transforming their humble bean farm into a scalable, profitable venture. By adopting improved seed varieties like the Zinc and iron-rich Jesca beans, the group saw their yields soar from 120 kg to over 500 kg per hectare—a testament to the power of education and perseverance.

Witness Kayanga, the group’s chairperson, recalls the turning point for the women of Zinduka: ‘We realized that to break the cycle of poverty and oppression, we needed more than just hard work; we needed knowledge and resources. That’s when things started to change.’

Innovation Meets Empowerment 

With support from USAID, through CIMMYT’s AID-I project, the Zinduka Women’s Group has made remarkable progress. Today, 11 of the 38 group members are Quality Declared Seed (QDS) producers, enabling them to contribute to local food security by producing high-quality seeds while also generating a sustainable income. The group has also received a production machine that has significantly improved their efficiency. When not in use by the group, the machine is rented out to others in the community, creating an additional revenue stream.

The group’s association with NMB Bank has given them access to credit facilities that have strengthened their financial position. Furthermore, the acquisition of a digital weighing scale has brought much-needed precision to their work. These developments have enabled them to expand their business, and the impact is visible not only in their increased earnings but also in their confidence. One group member proudly shared, ‘We used to face heavy losses as some traders exploited us by using tampered tins, causing us to sell more grain for less. Now, we are more than just farmers; we are businesswomen.’

This support has empowered the Zinduka Women’s Group to not only improve their agricultural output but also elevate their standing in the community as businesswomen.

Recognizing the untapped potential for value-added products, they began producing bean flour, cakes, and pastries, which quickly gained popularity in their village and beyond. Bean flour has emerged as a healthier, more nutritious alternative, leading to an increase in demand within Mshewe. As part of their forward-thinking approach, the Zinduka Women’s Group is now exploring the introduction of premium packaging for their high-zinc and iron-rich Jesca beans. This differentiation will enable them to command higher prices in the market, further increasing their profitability and sustainability.

The group still needs more support in terms of access to capital and mechanization, as their production scale increases and so does their reliance on equipment and market linkages. Efficiently matching seed supply with market demand remains critical to avoid the risk of selling valuable seed stocks as regular grain. Nonetheless, their progress is a testament to how access to training, tools, and financial services can transform the lives of smallholder farmers and strengthen local food systems.

Beyond Agriculture: A Beacon for Women’s Rights 

While the Zinduka Women Group’s agricultural success is impressive, it is their role as advocates for gender equality that truly sets them apart. Most members have overcome significant personal trauma, using their economic success as a shield against future abuse. The group’s work is now seen as a model for integrating gender empowerment into rural development.

Not only are they transforming their own lives, but they are actively mentoring other women and youth in the region, amplifying their impact. Their success has attracted attention from various organizations, keen to replicate their model of combining agricultural innovation with social change.

A Future Built on Partnership and Hope 

USAID’s support has unlocked a future of potential for the women’s group. By equipping them with the tools to succeed in agriculture and beyond, the foundation has been laid for sustainable growth, not only for the Zinduka Women’s Group but for the entire community.

(Photo: CIMMYT)

CIMMYT Expands Climate-Smart Interventions in Southern Africa

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Press releases.

As Southern Africa faces unprecedented drought conditions CIMMYT continues to lead efforts in reducing the devastating impact of extreme weather. Through its role as a partnership convener, CIMMYT has brought together climate change advisories and climate-smart agriculture to empower farmers, who are demonstrating incredible resilience by continuing to produce food for their families and communities. 

“The current climate crisis highlights the urgency of scaling resilient agricultural practices. At CIMMYT, we believe that empowering farmers to adopt drought-tolerant crops and sustainable methods is essential to securing food systems and ensuring communities can weather the challenges ahead,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT. 

By strengthening seed systems and applying global best practices, CIMMYT has empowered farmers across Zambia and Malawi to adapt to drought, ensuring nutritional security and improved livelihoods. The adoption of innovations, including conservation agriculture and resilient legume systems, is increasing farmers’ resilience and buffering against future shocks. 

Strengthening Early-Warning Systems 

CIMMYT has expanded access to early-warning systems and climate advisories through the GROWSMART campaign, which has reached over 1 million farmers in Zambia and Malawi. Through a network of digital champions and voice-activated advisories accessible via simple mobile phones, CIMMYT has provided critical, real-time information. This has enabled farmers to plan more effectively, reducing crop losses and optimizing planting schedules in response to changing weather patterns. 

Scaling Resilient Solutions 

CIMMYT has strengthened private sector and civil society partnerships to significantly expand the production of climate-resilient legumes, which were harvested early to provide nutritious food. In combination with maize hybrids like SC 555 and Ntondo (MH35), these legume systems have improved the food security of over 700,000 smallholder farmers.  

Moving forward, CIMMYT plans to expand seed systems further, aiming to support the adoption of game-changing crops and conservation agriculture by the end of 2025. This expansion will provide farmers with the tools needed to mitigate the impacts of unpredictable weather patterns, ensuring food security in the face of persistent droughts. 

Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture 

Recognizing the vital roles that women and youth play in agriculture, CIMMYT has prioritized gender-sensitive training programs and access to financing for women farmers, who comprise 78% of Zambia’s agricultural workforce. In Malawi, youth-focused initiatives, such as the LUANAR Agribusiness Hub, are helping young agro-entrepreneurs adopt climate-resilient farming methods. These efforts are not only boosting food production but also driving economic empowerment. 

Climate-Resilient Maize and Legume Systems: A Lifeline for Farmers 

CIMMYT’s Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) as part of the USAID Feed the Future investments has played a key role in providing smallholder farmers access to drought-tolerant maize hybrids like SC 555 in Zambia and Ntondo (MH35) in Malawi. These hybrids, combined with legume systems such as groundnut and pigeonpea, are designed to thrive under extreme weather conditions, improving soil health and ensuring profitable, nutritionally secure cropping systems. 

In Zambia, the SC 555 maize hybrid has shown exceptional resilience during the 2023-2024 season. Farmers like Mr. Chizela from Chinwe Mpongwe, who faced a six-week dry spell, have harvested abundantly despite the drought, ensuring food security and income stability. Similarly, in Malawi, the Ntondo (MH35) hybrid has demonstrated remarkable drought tolerance at Msunga Farm, with yields of up to 4.37 tons per hectare—far exceeding those of non-drought-resistant varieties. 

Building for the Future 

CIMMYT’s ongoing research and innovation efforts are focused on developing even more resilient maize and legume varieties to withstand both drought and extreme temperatures. Set for release by 2025, these new varieties will offer farmers sustainable, high-yield solutions to address the growing threat of climate change. 

About CIMMYT 

CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, nonprofit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working toward a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. 

CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources. 

For more information, visit cimmyt.org. 

Enhancing the resilience of our farmers and our food systems: global collaboration at DialogueNEXT

Written by Mike Listman on . Posted in Features.

“Achieving food security by mid-century means producing at least 50 percent more food,” said U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security, Cary Fowler, citing a world population expected to reach 9.8 billion and suffering the dire effects of violent conflicts, rising heat, increased migration, and dramatic reductions in land and water resources and biodiversity. “Food systems need to be more sustainable, nutritious, and equitable.”

CIMMYT’s 2030 Strategy aims to build a diverse coalition of partners to lead the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems. This approach addresses factors influencing global development, plant health, food production, and the environment. At DialogueNEXT, CIMMYT and its network of partners showcased successful examples and promising directions for bolstering agricultural science and food security, focusing on poverty reduction, nutrition, and practical solutions for farmers.

Without healthy crops or soils, there is no food

CIMMYT’s MasAgro program in Mexico has enhanced farmer resilience by introducing high-yielding crop varieties, novel agricultural practices, and income-generation activities. Mexican farmer Diodora Petra Castillo Fajas shared how CIMMYT interventions have benefitted her family. “Our ancestors taught us to burn the stover, degrading our soils. CIMMYT introduced Conservation Agriculture, which maintains the stover and traps more humidity in the soil, yielding more crops with better nutritional properties,” she explained.

CIMMYT and African partners, in conjunction with USAID’s Feed the Future, have begun applying the MasAgro [1] model in sub-Saharan Africa through the Feed the Future Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), where as much as 80 percent of cultivated soils are poor, little or no fertilizer is applied, rainfed maize is the most widespread crop, many households lack balanced diets, and erratic rainfall and high temperatures require different approaches to agriculture and food systems.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and CIMMYT are partnering to carry out the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) movement in Africa and Central America. This essential movement for transforming food systems endorsed by the G7 focuses on crop improvement and soil health. VACS will invest in improving and spreading 60 indigenous “opportunity” crops—such as sorghum, millet, groundnut, pigeon pea, and yams, many of which have been grown primarily by women—to enrich soils and human diets together with the VACS Implementers’ Group, Champions, and Communities of Practice.

The MasAgro methodology has been fundamental in shaping the Feed the Future Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub, an effort between government agencies, private, and public partners, including CGIAR. AID-I provides farmers with greater access to markets and extension services for improved seeds and crop varieties. Access to these services reduces the risk to climate and socioeconomic shocks and improves food security, economic livelihoods, and overall community resilience and prosperity.

Healthy soils are critical for crop health, but crops must also contain the necessary genetic traits to withstand extreme weather, provide nourishment, and be marketable. CIMMYT holds the largest maize and wheat gene bank, supported by the Crop Trust, offering untapped genetic material to develop more resilient varieties from these main cereal grains and other indigenous crops. Through the development of hardier and more adaptable varieties, CIMMYT and its partners commit to implementing stronger delivery systems to get improved seeds for more farmers. This approach prioritizes biodiversity conservation and addresses major drivers of instability: extreme weather, poverty, and hunger.

Food systems must be inclusive to combat systemic inequities

Successful projects and movements such as MasAgro, VACS, and AID-I are transforming the agricultural landscape across the Global South. But the urgent response required to reduce inequities and the needed investment to produce more nutritious food with greater access to cutting-edge technologies demands inclusive policies and frameworks like CIMMYT’s 2030 Strategy.

“In Latin America and throughout the world, there is still a huge gap between the access of information and technology,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras, Laura Elena Suazo Torres. “Civil society and the public and private sectors cannot have a sustainable impact if they work opposite to each other.”

Ismahane Elouafi, CGIAR executive managing director, emphasized that agriculture does not face, “a lack of innovative science and technology, but we’re not connecting the dots.” CIMMYT offers a pathway to bring together a system of partners from various fields—agriculture, genetic resources, crop breeding, and social sciences, among others—to address the many interlinked issues affecting food systems, helping to bring agricultural innovations closer to farmers and various disciplines to solve world hunger.

While healthy soils and crops are key to improved harvests, ensuring safe and nutritious food production is critical to alleviating hunger and inequities in food access. CIMMYT engages with private sector stakeholders such as Bimbo, GRUMA, Ingredion, Syngenta, Grupo Trimex, PepsiCo, and Heineken, to mention a few, to “link science, technology, and producers,” and ensure strong food systems, from the soils to the air and water, to transform vital cereals into safe foods to consume, like fortified bread and tortillas.

Reduced digital gaps can facilitate knowledge-sharing to scale-out improved agricultural practices like intercropping. The Rockefeller Foundation and CIMMYT have “embraced the complexity of diversity,” as mentioned by Roy Steiner, senior vice-president, through investments in intercropping, a crop system that involves growing two or more crops simultaneously and increases yields, diversifies diets, and provides economic resilience. CIMMYT has championed these systems in Mexico, containing multiple indicators of success from MasAgro.

Today, CIMMYT collaborates with CGIAR and Total LandCare to train farmers in southern and eastern Africa on the intercrop system with maize and legumes i.e., cowpea, soybean, and jack bean. CIMMYT also works with WorldVeg, a non-profit organization dedicated to vegetable research and development, to promote intercropping in vegetable farming to ensure efficient and safe production and connect vegetable farmers to markets, giving them more sources for greater financial security.

Conflict aggravates inequities and instability. CIMMYT leads the Feed the Future Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS) which aims to deliver latest knowledge and technology to small scale producers to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen local and regional value chains, and enhance community resilience in war-torn countries like Sudan. CIMMYT has developed a strong partnership funded by USAID with ADRA, CIP, CRS, ICRISAT, IFDC, IFPRI, ILRI, Mercy Corps, Near East Foundation, Samaritan’s Purse, Syngenta Foundation, VSF, and WorldVeg, to devise solutions for Sudanese farmers. SASAS has already unlocked the potential of several well-suited vegetables and fruits like potatoes, okra, and tomatoes. These crops not only offer promising yields through improved seeds, but they encourage agricultural cooperatives, which promote income-generation activities, gender-inclusive practices, and greater access to diverse foods that bolster family nutrition. SASAS also champions livestock health providing food producers with additional sources of economic resilience.

National governments play a critical role in ensuring that vulnerable populations are included in global approaches to strengthen food systems. Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Victor Villalobos, shared examples of how government intervention and political will through people-centered policies provides greater direct investment to agriculture and reduces poverty, increasing shared prosperity and peace. “Advances must help to reduce gaps in development.” Greater access to improved agricultural practices and digital innovation maintains the field relevant for farmers and safeguards food security for society at large. Apart from Mexico, key government representatives from Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, India, and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to CIMMYT’s work.

Alice Ruhweza, senior director at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, and Maria Emilia Macor, an Argentinian farmer, agreed that food systems must adopt a holistic approach. Ruhweza called it, “The great food puzzle, which means that one size does not fit all. We must integrate education and infrastructure into strengthening food systems and development.” Macor added, “The field must be strengthened to include everyone. We all contribute to producing more food.”

Generating solutions, together

In his closing address, which took place on World Population Day 2024, CIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts thanked the World Food Prize for holding DialogueNEXT in Mexico and stressed the need for all partners to evolve, while aligning capabilities. “We have already passed several tipping points and emergency measures are needed to avert a global catastrophe,” he said. “Agrifood systems must adapt, and science has to generate solutions.”

Through its network of research centers, governments, private food producers, universities, and farmers, CIMMYT uses a multidisciplinary approach to ensure healthier crops, safe and nutritious food, and the dissemination of essential innovations for farmers. “CIMMYT cannot achieve these goals alone. We believe that successful cooperation is guided by facts and data and rooted in shared values, long-term commitment, and collective action. CIMMYT’s 2030 Strategy goes beyond transactional partnership and aims to build better partnerships through deeper and more impactful relationships. I invite you to partner with us to expand this collective effort together,” concluded Govaerts.

[1] Leveraging CIMMYT leadership, science, and partnerships and the funding and research capacity of Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry (SADER) during 2010-21, the program known as “MasAgro” helped over 300,000 participating farmers to adopt improved maize and wheat varieties and resource-conserving practices on more than 1 million hectares of farmland in 30 states of Mexico.

Visual summaries by Reilly Dow.

Children, native maize, and gender perspectives

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Blogs.

A farmer in Nariño, Colombia on a diversified chagra with native maize, potato, oca, squash, fava bean, and other perennial and wild crop harvests. (Photo: González, Alpala, Pinzón, Rodríguez, Bolaños, Romero, González)

In the mountains of Nariño and the Cauca Valley, Colombia—as in many other rural regions of Latin America—farming systems are usually family-operated and divided by gender. Women’s and men’s roles are separate and differ in terms of expertise, involvement, and decision-making.

Roles traditionally assigned to women often limit their capacity to bring about changes in agriculture. “Food preparation, house cleaning, family care, and especially childcare, limit their ability to participate in agricultural training”, says a team of CIMMYT specialists who recently carried out a series of participatory diagnostics in these regions of Colombia.

Participatory diagnostics are designed to document and understand farmers’ perspectives on native maize conservation and the desertion of rural regions in order to jointly develop conservation strategies for these regions. However, CIMMYT specialists noted that women farmers struggle to participate and learn when they are burdened with childcare.

Group of women farmers discuss men’s and women’s roles in native maize conservation in Córdoba, Nariño, Colombia. (Photo: González, Alpala, Pinzón, Rodríguez, Bolaños, Romero, González)

“Even when women try hard to attend events, they cannot fully take in the new information because they are busy tending to their children.” In response, the event organizers came up with a novel solution: providing childcare during workshops. “So, mothers can focus on what they are doing during workshops, children partake in organized games and exploratory and artistic activities in a safe space where their mothers can see them.”

During a recent diagnostic “several activities were planned, like board games—CIMMYT developed memory and bingo games, as well as snake and ladder board games on principle maize practices and pests—and some art projects allowing the children to talk about how they interact with the land and what it means to them. At the end, they displayed their work about what they learn with their mothers and family in the tulpa (fire pit) or chagra,” the specialists explain.

“These types of activities are important and enriching for the children because they replace day-to-day cellphone play with recreational games about agriculture. So, it seems that we should make sure that the local children know about these types of events,” expressed the attendees.  They also reflected on how this type of inclusion helps strategies addressing generational replacement, particularly in places like Nariño, where the number of young people in the fields is notably decreasing.

With this in mind, including young people in program development and design is key to “ensuring a future rural population, given that they introduce the community to new, fresher ideas and visions,” says Don José, a farmer from Córdoba, Nariño, making note of how the Herederos del Planeta Los Tucanes represents a victory. It is a space where girls, boys, and young people can use their voices to influence issues related to natural reserves, their education, and the preservation of native seeds.

This is how the children—who originally could only hope to be expected to sit silently or play on their phones— became an important part of the participatory processes in Nariño. And now, with this support, women from rural communities, don’t just have the opportunity to expand their knowledge. They can also make positive contributions to household decisions and phytogenetic resource conservation.

Girls make a presentation about their territory to their mothers and fathers, based on the activities during the workshops in Nariño, Colombia. (Photo: González, Alpala, Pinzón, Rodríguez, Bolaños, Romero, González)

“Yes ma’am, the children’s space was the best because that way we were able to focus on the topics,” reported a woman in Cumbal. This is an example of how an agricultural extension strategy requires us to identify the preferences, interests, and incentives of men and women in relation to their gender roles in order to create environments that facilitate the development of sustainable agricultural technologies and practices. We must understand that the work women farmers perform both in the fields and within the household are inextricable from each other.

These types of strategies are crucial for combatting the environmental and food crisis because small-scale farmers implement sustainable agrifood systems and promote agrobiodiversity conservation. We find the resources essential for agrifood security in their milpas, orchards, backyards, and chagras—in Mexico and Colombia—where they handle, use, and preserve native crops and determine the selection of improved climate-resilient varieties.

Transforming agricultural systems in Mozambique

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

With 96% of its population engaged in farming and crop production, residents of the province of Niassa in the northern part of Mozambique rely heavily on agriculture for both their own nutritional needs and household income.

Famers in Niassa face many challenges in achieving successful agricultural development, including a 60% yield gap between male head of household farms and female led farms and while improved crop varieties are available, their rate of adoption is uneven across the province.

Implemented by CIMMYT in partnership with key collaborators and supported by Irish Aid, the Transformative Dryland Crops Project aims to enhance food security and boost incomes for more than 14,000 farm families in Niassa.

Delegation from CIMMYT and the Embassy of Ireland led by Moses Siambi, Africa’s regional director, and Adrian Fitzgerald, chief of cooperation at the Embassy of Ireland, during discussions at the launch of the Transformative Dryland Crops Project in Mozambique. (Photo: Mozambique)

Speaking at the launch meeting, Niassa’s Secretary of State, Lina Maria da Silva Portugal said, “This project focuses on leveraging technology and innovative approaches to bolster resilience and sustainability which will benefit all of Niassa.”

The Transformative Dryland Crops Project will focus on crops known for their drought tolerance, such as pigeon peas, groundnuts, common beans, and soybeans. By adopting a ‘hub-model’ approach, the project will enhance learning and technology dissemination, facilitating collaboration among farmers, farmer organizations, service providers, buyers, and processors. This collaborative effort will ensure the effective implementation of the project and maximize its impact on the ground.

“Through collaborative efforts with local stakeholders, we aim to narrow the gender yield gap, increase adoption rates of improved crop varieties, and enhance overall agricultural productivity, said Irish AID Ambassador, Adrian Fitzgerald.

Governor of Lichinga, Judite Massengele, Niassa’s capitol, said, “The launch of this project marks a significant milestone in the journey towards enhancing food security and improving livelihoods here in Niassa.”

Governor of Niassa, Judite Massengele, hosts a meeting in her office during the launch of the transformative dryland crops project in Mozambique. (Photo: Mozambique)

Transformative changes

Besides increased agricultural productivity, enhanced food security, and income generation, the Transformative Dryland Crops Project promotes gender equity, increases resilience to climate shocks, implements sustainable resource management, builds capacity among farmers and extension agents and facilitates inclusive market systems.

“The Transformative Dryland Crops Project will impact many different parts of the agricultural system of Niassa,” said Moses Siambi, CIMMYT Africa regional director. “The key part of our implementation plan is the knowledge that all these systems and stakeholders are interconnected and any intervention in one of part of the system must account for its effects on the entire system in order to be sustainable.”

Everyone is welcome! Building an inclusive and respectful workplace at CIMMYT: our 2030 vision and commitment

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in News.

CIMMYT’s strategy integrates gender equity and social inclusion into all areas of its research and operations. Organizational values of excellence, integrity, and teamwork guide CIMMYT’s mission of innovation and agrifood systems transformation.

“We believe that access to food is a human right that must be provided to everyone regardless of identity markers,” said CIMMYT’s Director General, Bram Govaerts. “CIMMYT was founded in a time of great need to prevent hunger. Today, we remain tasked with ensuring that nutritious food is available to everyone. Our mission explains our commitment to social inclusion.”

Aligned with CGIAR and CIMMYT’s Framework for Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, CIMMYT established a Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Steering Committee. This committee tracks progress and champions the implementation of the GESI Action Plan, aiming to close gender and diversity gaps and foster inclusivity in all our activities.

“CIMMYT is a diverse, multicultural space that benefits from varied talents and perspectives. Our collective workforce is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment. It’s rewarding to see the results of our efforts, and I am proud to be part of this journey,” said Director of the Genetic Resources Program, Sarah Hearne.

CIMMYT joins the international community in recognizing June as a month to celebrate diversity and raise awareness on issues impacting communities based on identity. CIMMYT reiterates its commitment to implementing its GESI Action Plan under one main principle:

  • CIMMYT is a non-discriminatory place for all. Our code of conduct does not tolerate treating individuals less favorably because of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Aide Molina, GESI champion and research associate, added, “The GESI initiative is a crucial starting point. While change takes time, starting is key. As an international institution, CIMMYT leads in both technological and social aspects. Declaring itself a ‘non-discrimination zone’ sets a powerful example for other institutions to follow.”

Achieving greater inclusion requires consistency and effort, and 2024 is not different. Our collective commitment includes ensuring that our current policies and initiatives are inclusive and supportive in accordance with local regulations.

“Our leadership team has to be proactive in integrating an inclusion lens into our research and operations and also address the needs of inclusion and equality for all, considering local contexts,” said Govaerts.

CIMMYT has made notable strides in gender parity and inclusion, for example, female hiring rates have increased from 21% in 2020 to 43% in 2023.

“We’ve made significant progress in better serving smallholders and creating a non-discriminatory working culture that promotes innovation,” said Govaerts. “Our transformation must be intersectional. While this is continuous work, we must accept that some populations are still left behind. It’s our job to bring them in. Everyone is welcome; CIMMYT is a non-discriminatory place for all!”

Specialist centers empower women and youth farmers

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Features.

Joseph Gambi began as a groundnut seed producer in Ukwile village, Mbozi District, Songwe, Tanzania. He struggled to make a living from agriculture, an experience shared by many young people and women in his village. Low yields, limited opportunities in agricultural value chains, and low productivity in current production systems meant that there were fewer opportunities for income generation, which all negatively impacted the involvement of youth and women.

Based on his experience as a young farmer, Joseph believed groundnut farming could be more profitable than maize. “Although groundnut farming is promising and earns good money, its productivity is very low. Most of us opt for maize because quality seeds and other inputs are available, despite its high capital needs,” said Joseph.

To improve the situation, CIMMYT’s Dryland Crops Program aims to increase the adoption of quality seeds among youth and women farmers through behavior change interventions. Led by CIMMYT and implemented in partnership with the Center for Behaviour Change and Communication (CBCC) and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the project targets sorghum and groundnut improvement in Tanzania’s Songwe region.

Joseph was selected by his community to lead the way in changing perceptions of groundnut in his village and trained as a last-mile change agent, equipped with knowledge on social behavior change. As a youth champion and seed producer in Ukwile village, he has created awareness about quality seeds and good farming practices among at least 600 farmers across more than 15 villages in the district.

As a dedicated youth champion and seed producer, Joseph educates over 600 farmers on quality seeds and advanced farming practices. (Photo: CBCC)

Seed demand creation

Through the Drylands Crop Program, Joseph has been trained in various awareness and demand creation strategies, such as farmer mobilization. He uses these skills to raise farmers’ interest in different technologies and products, creating demand for various agricultural inputs and seeking out suppliers.

His efforts have attracted a variety of stakeholders to his village. These include four TARI centers, five seed companies, three non-government organizations (NGOs), one agrodealer, and two off-takers. While most stakeholders partner with him to demonstrate and promote their technologies to the farmers he has mobilized, others enter into agreements and pay him a commission for each sale he facilitates.

In the first season, Joseph created demand for more than two tons of groundnut seed, partnering with Pavig Agro, a groundnut seed company, to distribute almost 1.2 tons of quality seed to farmers in his village. The seed company could not adequately meet the aggregated demand, creating an opportunity for Joseph and 17 others to train as Quality Declared Seeds (QDS) producers.

Dedicated support for youth and women

After creating traction for quality seeds, inputs, and other agricultural services, the project established the Youth and Women Quality Center (YWQC) in Ukwile, managed by Joseph and three other community champions. The center serves more than 1,000 farmers across five villages and currently hosts more than ten demonstration plots featuring nine varieties of groundnut, maize, five bean varieties, and sorghum.

Furthermore, the center is now registered and licensed to distribute seeds and offers services such as seed planting using a manually operated seed planter, pesticide and herbicide spraying, extension support, market information, farmers’ advisory services, input demand creation and distribution, and produce aggregation.

Joseph at the Youth and Women Quality Center (YWQC) in Ukwile. The center is managed by three other community champions and serves farmers in five villages. (Photo: CBCC)

The project has proved to be transformational for Joseph, who has now received certification as a seed producer and dealer, as well as for his family and wider community. Before the training, Joseph allocated half an acre for groundnut production each season; he now uses three acres, with an additional acre for sorghum seed and a further half acre for bean seed production.

He has also mobilized and supported the registration of ten farmer groups, three of which were trained as seed producers and now produce groundnut seed and mentored five youths and women to become seed producers. This work means that the Ukwile YWQC now has 12 seed producers cultivating 13.5 acres of groundnut seed. Joseph and other experienced seed producers multiply basic seed to produce QDS 1, which is then sold to other seed producers at affordable prices.

Thanks to Joseph’s awareness and demand creation initiatives, Ukwile YWQC generated US $4,000 in revenue from seed and input distribution between November 2022 and January 2024. From two acres alone of groundnut seed production, Joseph earned US $1,456 from selling groundnut QDS between December 2023 and January 2024.

His increased income has supported his family, including paying for education for his four children, and has purchased a plot of land, on which he is constructing a three-bedroom house.

Cover photo: Joseph at his groundnut seed farm (Naliendele variety) in Ukwile Village, Songwe. (Photo: CBCC)

Quality seeds reduce hunger in Tanzanian schools

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Blogs.

The Songwe Region in Tanzania faces a variety of challenges in its agricultural communities, including low productivity, poor farming practices, and limited access to resources. Low yields from white sorghum, the crop of preference in the area, contribute to food insecurity, and insufficient extension support compounds the challenges for farmers.

Schools in the region face their own problems, with students experiencing a lack of food during certain months, resulting in poor academic performance and attendance. Parents, burdened by financial constraints and the low yields of sorghum, struggle to contribute to the school feeding program, further aggravating the situation. The School Feeding Program provides at least one nutritious meal daily to students in rural Tanzania to combat hunger and enhance academic performance. Most schools in rural areas have enough farmland for learning purposes; by utilizing this land, the program aims to produce food locally, reducing reliance on parental contributions and involving the community in addressing food and nutrition insecurity.

To address these challenges, the Center for Behavior Change and Communication (CBCC), initiated a proactive intervention during the 2022-2023 farming season to increase awareness of improved sorghum seed varieties (TARI SOR 1 and TARI SOR 2) through the school feeding program in Momba district, Tanzania. This collaborative effort between the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), CIMMYT, local seed producers, and the local government aimed to address the persistent food and nutrition insecurity in the area.

School children and community members engage in hands-on learning by practicing good agricultural practices on their school farms. (Photo: CBCC)

One of the key strategies employed by CBCC was using schools as platforms for raising awareness. Schools primarily grow sorghum for food rather than trade, making them ideal places to introduce these new, higher-yielding, and nutritionally valuable seed varieties.

Leveraging school farmland

The Youth and Women Quality Centres (YWQCs) are part of an innovative model implemented through the Dryland Crops Program (DCP) through the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Systems in Africa (AVISA) project, led by CIMMYT and implemented in partnership with CBCC and TARI. Its goal is to increase the adoption of improved variety and quality seeds among young and female farmers through behavior change interventions, with a focus on sorghum and groundnut improvement in the Songwe Region.

Using schools as focal points for raising awareness, the initiative leveraged the YWQCs to provide extension support and distribute seeds to schools. Training materials tailored to the school environment facilitated practical learning on agronomic practices such as farm preparation, seed selection, planting, fertilizer application, weeding, and pest management.

Mkama Secondary School was one of the first to enroll in the program, setting aside 0.5 acres to demonstrate the performance of TARI sorghum seed varieties. With the use of good agronomic practices, the pilot led to an increase in yield, with 350 kilograms (kg) of sorghum harvested. This was an increased improvement compared to their previous yield of 200 kg per acre on their four-acre farm, representing an increase of approximately 75%.

Concerns raised by teachers about the limited yield of local seeds, yielding less than 200 kg per acre, necessitate the urgency of implementing sustainable solutions. The low productivity observed on school farms is also attributed to poor farming practices and inadequate extension support.

Growing these new varieties offers many practical benefits. The increased yield enabled the school to provide lunch to its 129 students during the critical period when food insecurity is most pronounced (October-April). “The new improved sorghum varieties have higher yields, and TARI SOR 2 makes good Ugali,” said Johnas Marwa, the school headmaster. Motivated by their success, the school will plant TARI SOR 1 and TARI SOR 2 on all four acres of their farm during the 2023-2024 season.

Community-wide benefits

The project’s success also inspired confidence in the broader community, leading to a surge in demand for the new sorghum seeds. Consequently, eight seed producer groups and five individual seed producers decided to cultivate these improved varieties in the coming season.

Initially, some community members were hesitant to adopt the new varieties because they were not as white as the traditional local seeds. However, the impressive performance of TARI SOR 1 and TARI SOR 2 quickly won them over, capturing the attention of both farmers and parents due to their potential to reduce food insecurity at household level.

The achievements at Mkama Secondary School led to the expansion of the initiative across 19 additional schools in 14 villages. These schools were chosen based on their willingness to participate and the availability of their farmland. Out of the schools involved, only five produced sorghum on their farms, with the rest relying on parental contributions for the feeding program, but they all relied upon sorghum as the main source of food. Some primary schools only provided porridge, while most of the secondary schools only offered lunch.

Across the 19 schools, a total of 58 acres were allocated for farming sorghum. The project provided 190 kg of seeds, 21% of which were the Macia variety, a popular choice because of its whitish appearance and marketability.

Emmanuel Mwenda, national sorghum coordinator at TARI, said, “This intervention is one of a kind and will bring a huge impact to farmer communities in Momba district.”

Project legacy

The initiative has already had a significant impact and will continue to do so for future planting seasons and generations. “Given the level of effort and investment by partners, in the next season, 4 out of 10 farmers purchasing improved seed at YWQCs will choose either TARI SOR 1 or 2,” said Michel Amson from CBCC.

More than 2,000 students and 50 teachers were trained in agronomic practices by dedicated youth champions. This training caused a ripple effect, with parents visiting YWQC to purchase quality seeds too for growing on their own land.

To ensure the project’s sustainability and longevity, education officers will work with more schools and YWQCs would provide seeds on credit, with schools repaying after harvest to make the improved varieties more accessible when they are needed most.

“This initiative not only improves nutrition and food security for school children, but also benefits the wider community by increasing yields and extending meal provision periods. The collaborative efforts of various stakeholders have been instrumental in driving the success of this initiative”, says Chris Ojiewo, seeds systems lead at CIMMYT.

Cultivating healthier communities with provitamin A maize varieties

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Publications.

In Murehwa District, situated in Zimbabwe’s grain basket in the eastern part of the country, vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in almost all households, regardless of their wealth, reveals a study striving to quantify the nutritional yields of provitamin A maize across a diverse range of smallholder farms in Zimbabwe and to understand the potential role of improved agronomy in increasing nutritional yields. Published in the Journal of Nutrition, the study is part of a collaborative project between CIMMYT and Rothamsted Research, funded by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund, administered by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

The study revealed that vitamin A deficiency is most prevalent in the wet seasons when the number of people within a household is higher. Using a range of realistic provitamin A concentration levels, modelling showed that the consumption of provitamin A maize could ensure that almost three-quarters of households reach 50% of their vitamin A requirement.

“This study highlights how provitamin A maize could make a real difference in vitamin A intake of smallholder farmers in rural areas of Zimbabwe,” said Frédéric Baudron, the lead author of this study. “And the impact could be even higher as greater gains are made through breeding and supported by better agronomy, a key determinant of nutrient concentration in the grain produced.”

Thirty households participated in the study, quantifying the composition of their diet across the main agricultural (wet) season and off (dry) season. A market study of locally available food was also conducted at the same time. In Murehwa District, almost 80% of the population is engaged in small-scale agriculture as their primary livelihood and stunting rates have increased over the past decade in this district, in sharp contrast to the rest of Zimbabwe.

Though maize is a dietary staple widely consumed in various forms in Zimbabwe, vitamin A deficiency exerts a heavy toll on people’s health, particularly in rural communities where its impact is most keenly felt. The consequences, ranging from preventable blindness in children to heightened maternal mortality rates and reduced immune function, emphasize the urgency of sustainable interventions.

Preparation of “sadza” a local staple widely consumed in Zimbabwe. (Credit: Jill Cairns/Alan Cairns)

The first provitamin A maize variety was released in Zimbabwe over a decade ago. Subsequent breeding efforts, aiming to develop varieties capable of providing 50% of the estimated average requirement of vitamin A, have focused on increasing the provitamin A concentration in maize and yields obtained under a range of stresses that farmers frequently encounter. To date, 26 provitamin A varieties have been released in Southern Africa. However, several key research questions remained unanswered. For instance, how prevalent is vitamin A deficiency within vulnerable populations and what is the cost of an affordable diet providing enough vitamin A? Furthermore, can the nutritional concentration of provitamin A maize grown by smallholder farmers help significantly decrease vitamin A deficiency for the majority of rural households?

The nutritional concentration of biofortified crops is related to the environment they are grown in. Biofortified maize primarily targets resource-poor farmers, holding potential in addressing nutritional gaps. However, existing research on the potential health outcomes of the consumption of provitamin A has largely been centered on maize grown in controlled environments, such as on experimental research stations or commercial farms.

The CIMMYT-led study concludes that the consumption of provitamin A maize alone would not fully address vitamin A deficiency in the short-term, calling for additional interventions such as diet diversification, industrial fortification, and supplementation. Diet diversification is one viable option highlighted by the study: modelling showed most households could obtain a diet adequate in vitamin A from food produced on their farms or available in local markets at a cost that does not exceed the current cost of their diets.

In Murehwa District, the CIMMYT-led study estimated the daily costs of current diets at USD 1.43 in the wet season and USD 0.96 in the dry season. By comparison, optimization models suggest that diets adequate in vitamin A could be achieved at daily costs of USD 0.97 and USD 0.79 in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Another study conducted in 2023 showed that almost half of the farms in the district had knowledge of PVA maize and its benefits but did not grow it, primarily due to a limited availability of seed.

With courage, they are an example of innovation in the field

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Blogs.

Women and the milpa in Chiapas, Mexico. (Illustration: FMG/OpenAI, 2024)

With its transversal focus on gender and social inclusion, CGIAR’s Latin American regional initiative AgriLac Resiliente shows how, through sustainable agriculture, women in the Latin American countryside are a fundamental piece to building resilient and inclusive food systems.

One of the most inspiring examples comes from the Tzotzil women’s group of Tzabaló, in Larráinzar, Chiapas, Mexico. These women have found in the Chiapas Hub a platform that has allowed them to contribute significantly to the development of their households and environments.

“We are a group of women who have worked in pig and chicken farming for some years now. In 2022, we started working with CIMMYT and DAI (Desarrollo Alternativo e Investigación AC). We liked it a lot because we see that they are interested in women. They give us the opportunity to learn which awakens our interest in working in the field because we want to help our husbands, but with knowledge,” they said.

According to their testimonies, the opportunity to train in sustainable agriculture has been transformative. Previously, their participation in agricultural activities was limited. Now, with new knowledge acquired, they are producing healthy and nutritious food.

“If we just stay at home, we don’t do much, but when we go out to the countryside, we feel free, we clear ourselves of so many tasks around the house, and we bring tender beans and fresh vegetables. Now we can produce our food free of toxins and store our maize in airtight containers without chemicals,” they pointed out.

The experience has given them not only autonomy in making decisions about their food but also a sense of freedom and purpose when working in the field where the power of group work has also been a major factor in their success.

“It is always better to work in a group than individually, but it is necessary to find a good manager or leader to guide you and teach you how to work. As a group, we have obtained knowledge that we share among ourselves, we learned to prune fruit trees, we no longer burn stubble to recycle nutrients, there is more production and the product is bigger, and we also expect good fruit production.”

Plot in Chiapas where sustainable practices have been implemented. (Photo: García, Ramírez and Meentzen/CIMMYT)

However, the path has not been without challenges. The community faces a sociopolitical context that makes collaboration between groups difficult, although these women persist and demonstrate with their achievements that female participation in agriculture is fundamental for community development.

“What we do, people see it badly and ask us why we go to the countryside to learn something that is not for us, that we leave because we don’t have chores at home, but we don’t get discouraged. When they see the results of the work, they ask us how we did it, and we tell them what we learned by not staying alone at home, and we invite them to join the group,” they mentioned, emphasizing that if you are in the group, it does not matter what political group you belong to because the only thing that matters is knowledge and the desire to improve oneself.

Their courage and determination have not only transformed their own lives but is also inspiring other women to join and follow this path of empowerment through sustainable agriculture.

These success stories are proof of the positive impact that the inclusion of women in the field can have. Their voice and experience are fundamental to building more resilient and sustainable food systems, where gender equity and the active participation of all actors are pillars for a prosperous future in rural areas of Latin America.

How improved seeds empower women farmers in South Kordofan

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Blogs.

Fanta Mohamed, a 48-year-old widow with three children, lives in Aldagag village in South Kordofan. For years, Fanta has worked on her small farm to feed her children. Fanta used local seeds, and her agricultural yield was very poor. It made her wonder where she was going wrong. Fanta, like thousands of women farmers in remote and hard-to-reach areas of South Kordofan in central Sudan, has limited access to quality inputs and agricultural extension services.

In South Kordofan, Mercy Corps, aided by USAID-funded Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS), trained 15 local farmers and producers in the Farmer Field School methodology and climate-smart agriculture with the support of officials from the State Ministry of Agriculture.

“At SASAS, we work to empower women farmers, especially those who live in remote areas such as South Kordofan. We help them with agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, new agricultural skills, and techniques to increase their production and help enhance food security amid the looming food crisis in Sudan,” said Abdelrahman Kheir, SASAS chief of party.

Women farmers apply new agricultural techniques in South Kordofan. (Photo: CIMMYT)

To address the challenges of poor seed quality, Mercy Corps contracted local supplier Alzahra Seed for Trade to sell improved seeds at a subsidized price and expand access by establishing last-mile seed retail networks. Alzahra Seed for Trade would also deliver agronomic extension training to farmers in remote villages such as Aldagag.

Fanta recalls how she and other women farmers came to know about the improved seeds. “We were at a coffee gathering at my neighbor’s house, when one of the women told us that Alzahra Seed for Trade’s retail agent had brought improved seeds from Dilling town for sale. We were not even aware of the existence of improved seeds,” she said.

With accessible and affordable improved seeds in Aldagag, Fanta was one of the smallholder farmers who bought seeds from a retailer in her village. She bought groundnut and vegetable seeds and received basic agronomic extension training from the retailer who offered it as an embedded service. In addition to getting access to improved seeds, Fanta was visited by an extension officer from Alzahra Seed for Trade.

Women farmers participate in an agronomic extension training. (Photo: CIMMYT)

Fanta recalls how she managed her farm before she was introduced to improved seeds. “In the seasons before I got the training, my farm looked disorganized. Like other farmers in my area, I didn’t care about the distances between the plants. Local seeds yielded about four or five sacks of groundnut per one feddan (unit of area in Sudan),” she shared. Post training, Fanta planted two feddans of groundnut using the improved seeds and followed the agronomic guidance. “I harvested 18 sacks from the two feddans–much higher than before.”

Increased income provides women farmers with greater financial resources, and many of them feel empowered. “Women famers in my area who have used improved seeds and followed new agricultural techniques have become stronger and feel confident enough to have a voice within our community,” said Fanta.

Roots of resilience: my journey as a Conservation Agriculture champion

Written by Julian Bañuelos-Uribe on . Posted in Features.

I am Grace Malaicha, a proud native of the Zidyana Extension Planning Areas in Central Malawi, where my journey with Conservation Agriculture (CA) began. In 2005, I observed neighboring farmers practicing CA techniques on their land. Intrigued and inspired, I decided to embark on this path myself, joining the CA program initiated by CIMMYT and Total LandCare in 2006. I started practicing it on my demonstration plot and observed that yields were getting higher from the second year onwards.

My dedication to CA has changed not only myself but also influenced other members of my farming community. As a mother trial host farmer under the CGIAR Initiative: Diversification for resilient agribusiness ecosystems in East and Southern Africa today, I have been implementing different treatments, which include maize doubled-up legume system and improved drought-tolerant maize varieties planted under CA on flat land and comparing it to the traditional ridge tillage system that involves substantial soil movement.

But what does CA mean to me? It is more than just a set of principles that I apply like minimum soil disturbance, mulching, and crop rotation. CA reduces drudgery, secures yields, and maintains productivity in times of climate change. CA has changed my approach to farming, transforming my once conventional maize monocrop into a diverse maize-legume system. By intercropping with two crops, I have spread the risk of unanticipated crop failure, while incorporating groundnut, cowpeas, and pigeon pea into the mix, which are more drought tolerant. I increased the land area under CA and tried it on many other crops including different legumes as rotation or intercrops, birds-eye chili, vegetables, and cassava.

Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of a changing climate in central Malawi, from intense heat to prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns. This year, 2024, has even been worse due to the prolonged dry spells between January and February, and the erratic rainfall during this time. Despite these challenges, our CA plots have continued to thrive, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of climate-smart farming practices.

Grace trains farmers on Conservation Agriculture. (Photo: Christian Thierfelder/CIMMYT)

Recognizing the power of knowledge sharing and from the encouragement by CIMMYT and Total LandCare, I started to train fellow farmers, both locally and across borders. At first, I worked with women groups around my homestead and trained about 100 female farmers on the principles of CA. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to train other farmers in other districts of Malawi. Since 2008, I have also trained farmers in eastern Zambia and from Mozambique where all farmers speak my language Chichewa. Farmers believe other farmers more and are now realizing the benefits of implementing CA in their own fields.

I enrolled to be a local trainer in CA within my community in 2016. My passion for teaching and catalyzing change has led to the adoption of CA by numerous farmers. I embrace my commitment to ongoing learning through carefully implementing these CA trials and playing an active role during awareness meetings.

My life had changed so much. I was speaking on the radio and television. In 2012, the Minister of Agriculture visited my plot, and I was asked to speak in front of a Parliamentary Committee about my experiences as a smallholder woman farmer in Malawi. I spoke about what women can do in agriculture and what changes I made on my land. From representing my country at high level meetings, each step has shaped me into a resilient and empowered woman.

However, my journey has not been without obstacles, including hardships in my personal relationship. In 2012, I made the decision to join my husband in South Africa where I took up menial jobs to earn a living, abandoning my plot back home. But my true passion lay in farming, and I decided to make the bold decision to come back home, leaving my husband and continue with farming. Through perseverance and determination, I have overcome these challenges, and I am now much stronger.

Grace Malaicha stands in her field. (Photo: Christian Thierfelder/CIMMYT)

Today, I stand with pride in front of my CA plot, not only sustaining my family but also sending all my children to school. I now converted all my land to conservation agriculture, 3ha are under maize and 2ha under groundnuts. Beyond farming, I have investments in housing, claiming rentals in the nearby town of Salima to sustain my financial income and expand in farming.

I will continue on this path as I learned so much over the years and believe that CA may be the only climate-smart agriculture response in reach of smallholder farmers that everybody can apply, and I will continue to support others as a champion of CA.