Tag: sustainable farming

CDA’s Innovative Approach Doubles Farmers’ Yields

Written by dmedina on March 14, 2025. Posted in Blogs.

Improved seeds of sorghum and groundnut have been a game-changer for farmers in Nigeria, doubling their yields and transforming their livelihoods.

At the Farmers’ Field Day organized by the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) in Tofa Local Government, farmers from 22 adopted communities of CDA shared their remarkable stories of increased productivity and income.

As a partner in the AVISA project and the African Dryland Crop Improvement Network (ADCIN), in collaboration with CIMMYT, CDA plays a vital role in developing and disseminating improved seed varieties tailored for dryland farming systems. Through comprehensive research efforts, CDA focuses on screening and selecting superior seed varieties for multiplication and distribution, ensuring that agricultural practices remain both sustainable and productive.

The AVISA project, funded by the Gates Foundation, aims to enhance food security, resilience, and the livelihoods of small-scale producers and consumers in the dryland regions of Nigeria and eight other countries in West and Central Africa, including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Togo, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. By strengthening networks to modernize crop breeding and fostering public-private partnerships, AVISA works to improve the productivity, profitability, and marketability of key dryland crops, including sorghum, millet, groundnut, cowpea, and common bean.

Similarly, ADCIN, established in August 2023 and convened by CIMMYT through its Dryland Crops Program (DCP), serves as a collaborative platform bringing together over 200 scientists from more than 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. ADCIN’s mission is to foster a dynamic and sustainable network dedicated to improving dryland crop varieties and ensuring their accessibility to farmers. By leveraging the collective expertise of its multidisciplinary members, the network aims to accelerate the adoption of resilient and high-yielding crops, ultimately transforming dryland agriculture.

Farmers shared compelling testimonies about the impact of CDA’s work on their productivity and income. Faruk Haruna, a beneficiary of CDA’s training and improved seeds, testified that his millet yield skyrocketed from 15–20 bundles to 52 bundles, a staggering increase of 200%. He jokingly referred to CDA as the “Cash Development Association” due to the significant financial gains.

Nasiru Yusuf, another farmer, reported an impressive four-fold increase in yield—approximately a 400% increase—with the improved sorghum seeds, leading to a substantial boost in income.

Women farmers also praised CDA’s initiatives. Amina Habibu and Nafisatu Auwalu shared how CDA’s training and improved seeds have transformed their farming practices and benefited numerous women farmers’ associations.

“CDA’s efforts have been instrumental in improving agricultural practices among local farmers,” said Deputy Director of Training, Prof. Sanusi Gaya Mohammed.

He emphasized the center’s commitment to enhancing farming through research and community engagement.

Echoing this sentiment, the Deputy Director of Outreach and Publications of CDA, Professor Amina Mustapha, said CDA is happy with the progress made by the farmers and how their farming systems have improved. She noted that the field day provides farmers with an opportunity to interact with the centre and learn best practices to further enhance their productivity.

Dr. Hakeem Ajiegbe, a senior researcher at CDA, underscored the importance of modern farming practices. “Farming all over the world has changed, and it is imperative for farmers to adopt best practices to improve their yield,” he said.

The district head of Tofa Local Government, Alhaji Sunusi Abubakar Tofa, commended CDA for its impact on farmers in the 22 adopted communities. He urged local farmers to continue embracing CDA’s innovations to enhance food production and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.

The land that gives life: Tomasa and Fabián’s plot

Written by dmedina on March 12, 2025. Posted in Blogs.

Somewhere in the enchanted valley of Santa Catarina Lachatao, Oaxaca, under the vast blue sky and in the heart of a land full of history and hope, Fabián Marcos Cano and Tomasa García Pérez are working toward the future they have long envisioned, their hands deep in the soil. In this land, where the Zapotec language gives its name to the territory, each seed sown by their hands is an act of trust.

Fabián, his gaze marked by years of experience, speaks of his land with the pride of someone who has learned to listen to the voice of the earth. “We used to plant the way God guided us,” he says, recalling the days when farming was a practice of intuition and inherited wisdom.

Today, with the support of SEFADER technicians like Reinalda Gómez and her team, they have transformed their approach to farming. Fabián and Tomasa have learned to respect the rhythms of the soil, to give back what they take, and to see each plant through a new lens. “It’s like food for food,” Fabián explains.

Corn and beans grow unhurriedly in their fields. The land is enriched with crop residues that were once fed only to livestock, along with compost that was once discarded. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s our life,” says Fabián, with the firm determination of someone who understands that effort is part of the cycle.

For Tomasa, each harvest is a link to her ancestors. “The land gives us life,” she says with unwavering certainty. In her fields, milpa thrives alongside squash, beans, amaranth, and purslane, in a balance that requires patience and respect. She has learned to let nature do its work, to understand that burning fields robs the soil of its ability to renew itself. “We pile up the weeds, let them decompose, and that’s how the land nourishes itself,” she explains.

The journey has not been easy. Last year, a violent storm destroyed much of their crop. “It grew beautifully, but the wind tore everything down,” Fabián recalls with resignation. But they are not giving up. “We make do with what God gives us, because it is more than enough for us.” What remains is harvested as seed for the next cycle.

Every application of bio-inputs, every crop diversification, every lesson shared by agricultural engineers has changed their way of farming and their understanding of life. The land, once seen as an adversary that imposed its own rules, is now an ally that responds generously to care.

The story of Fabián and Tomasa is a testament to resilience and learning. It is proof that agriculture can be different, that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand. Because in every bean they harvest, in every ear of corn they save for the next cycle, there is a valuable lesson: the land gives back what it receives. And in Santa Catarina, under the sun that shines on Fabián and Tomasa’s fields, life flourishes with strength.

Advisory services boost bean farming in Malawi

Written by dmedina on January 31, 2025. Posted in Blogs.

For Malawian farmers Monica Levison and Liden Mbengo, the 2023-24 cropping season posed distinct challenges compared to prior years. Like many of their fellow smallholders, they grappled with the El Niño-induced drought, which severely impacted agricultural production across Southern Africa.

Despite these challenges, smallholders demonstrated extraordinary resilience due to crucial advisory services provided by the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub Project. The initiative enabled farmers to adopt climate-smart practices such as using drought-tolerant seeds and improved soil management techniques.

A smallholder farmer in Malawi, proudly showcases the high-quality bean seeds he harvested after adopting AID-I’s climate-smart farming techniques.
(Photos: CIAT and CIMMYT)

Connecting Farmers to Innovative Tools and Information

At the core of AID-I’s approach lies the delivery of innovative advisory services and proven agricultural technologies—strategies that have transformed the lives of farmers like Monica and Liden.

The AID-I project is transforming agriculture in targeted regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.

By providing smallholder farmers with critical information and innovative solutions, AID-I empowers them to enhance food production. The project focuses on strengthening legume and maize seed systems to enhance the availability and access to multi-stress-tolerant and nutritious crops. It also emphasizes delivering agricultural advisories to the last mile and improving soil health and fertilizer efficiency. These efforts are compounded with extensive training conducted by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA).

Seed Multiplication: A Key Entry Point for AID-I in Malawi

In Malawi, seed multiplication is a critical entry point for AID-I interventions. This approach ensures that farmers have access to high-quality, locally adapted seeds, reinforcing seed systems while supporting food security and resilience among smallholders. Through a network of demonstration plots, the initiative introduced high-demand bean varieties while showcasing modern agronomic practices, including proper planting techniques, precise fertilizer application, and effective pest and disease control strategies. These hands-on demonstrations equipped Malawian farmers with practical and sustainable methods to optimize bean cultivation, even during challenging conditions.

Monica’s Journey: From Small Harvests to Realizing Her Dreams

In Thambolagwa village, Monica had spent more than two decades growing beans only for her family’s consumption. After attending AID-I’s bean production training and receiving 2 kilograms (kg) of NUA35 seed from the demonstrations, she harvested 25 kg, significantly increasing her yield.

Building on this success, Monica planted the harvested seeds on one acre of land during the 2023-24 growing season and harvested 15 bags, each weighing 50 kg. She then sold part of her produce to Milele Agro Processing, earning over US$577.

“The training was incredibly valuable,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the 2024-25 season, during which I plan to expand my business by cultivating two acres of land. With the profits, I aim to make future investments in farming and save money to build a modern house for my family.”

AID-I Demonstrates the Power of Knowledge Through Mbengo’s Transformation

Liden, from Kang’oma Village, spent years planting four bean seeds in a single hole, unaware that this practice limited his agricultural potential. AID-I’s training introduced him to effective agronomic practices such as planting techniques, crop rotation, soil fertility improvement, and pest management as guided by PABRA.

“Following these guidelines, I harvested 15 kg of VTTT 924/4-4 and 18 kg of NUA35 from just half a kilogram of seed. In the previous year, I harvested only 3 kg after planting the same number of seeds and then nearly gave up on bean farming. The knowledge I have gained is priceless. It has reinforced my interest in bean farming and will stay with me forever,” said Mbengo.

Liden Mbengo, a farmer from Kang’oma Village, displays his impressive bean harvest, demonstrating the impact of AID-I training on improving yields and resilience.

A New Era for Malawian Bean Farmers

For extension workers such as Chrissy Minjale in Ntcheu district, the AID-I program has been transformative.

“The trainings were eye-opening for both us and the farmers,” she said. “Smallholder bean farmers in Malawi are likely to experience a significant increase in bean seed and grain production in the long run.”

Farmers and extension workers, inspect newly planted bean crops during a field visit, highlighting the hands-on learning provided by AID-I advisory services.

Field Learning and Adoption of Climate-Smart Practices

The program’s emphasis on linking farmers to off-takers, understanding climatic conditions, and adopting modern agronomic practices has sparked interest in bean farming across Malawi. As Yohane Nkhoma, a field extension officer in Ntchisi, observed:

“We now understand the importance of timing the first rains for beans and other crops. I’m committed to sharing this knowledge with hundreds of farmers in my area and helping them pay closer attention to the climatic conditions crucial for bean production. The results we have witnessed will encourage more farmers to engage in bean cultivation as a serious business.”

Scaling Impact: Training Thousands of Farmers

With over 11,007 farmers trained, 6,786 of whom are women, AID-I is not only improving yields but also empowering communities, building resilience, and igniting a wave of agricultural innovation.

The ripple effect of these interventions is clear. Beyond feeding their families, smallholder farmers are also paving the way for a more secure and sustainable future.

These individuals are more than beneficiaries. They are change agents whose successes inspire their communities and beyond.

As AID-I continues to amplify its impact, it is reshaping the trajectory of smallholder farming in Malawi and setting a precedent for resilience and food security across the region.

The future of farming here is thriving, innovative, and full of promise—as illustrated by Monica, Mbengo, and many more.

USAid programme equips rural farmers

Written by dmedina on February 6, 2024. Posted in In the media.

With generous support from USAID, CIMMYT, in collaboration with the lead organization World Food Programme and partner organizations SNV, Tree of Life, and MTDC, has significantly enhanced climate resilience in Zimbabwe through the promotion of conservation agriculture practices under the Zambuko Livelihoods Initiative initiated, since 2020.

Read the full story.

Transforming Agriculture: A Day in Cambodia with Wanjiku Guchu

Written by dmedina on February 1, 2024. Posted in In the media.

The Excellence in Agronomy Initiative, supported by CGIAR centers including CIMMYT, is driving significant advancements in sustainable farming. Highlighting a case from Cambodia, this initiative exemplifies how innovative agronomy, adapted for climate resilience, is transforming agriculture globally. CIMMYT’s role in this collaborative effort underscores its commitment to sustainable agricultural development and climate change adaptation.

Read the full story.

Improved nitrogen use can boost tomato yields

Written by Sarah McLaughlin on December 21, 2022. Posted in Publications.

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and tomato production in Nepal have both been negatively affected by universal fertilizer recommendations that do not consider the soil type, nutrient status, or climate and crop management practices. Improved use of appropriate levels of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, application time, and application methods could increase yields and reduce environmental impact.

Scientists from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), the National Soil Science Research Center (NSSRC), and the International Fertilizer Development Center completed a study to identify the optimum N rate and application method to increase NUE and tomato crop yield as part of the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) project.

Randomized trials with nine treatments across five districts included the omission of N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) (N0, P0, K0), variable N rates of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha⁻¹ (N-100, N-150, N-200 and N-250), use of urea briquettes (UB) with deep placement (UBN-150) and a control (CK).

Considering its anticipated higher NUE, N input in UB was reduced from the recommend N rate of 200 kg ha⁻¹by a quarter. N was revealed as the most limiting plant nutrient based on yield responses from an NPK omission plot.

Tomato yield was increased by 27 percent, 35 percent, 43 percent, and 27 percent over N0 with respective applications of fertilizer at N-100, N-150, N-200 and N-250. Yields responded quadratically to the added N fertilizers, with optimum rates ranging from 150 to 200 kg ha⁻¹.

UBN-150 produced a similar yield to the recommended rate of N-200 and significantly increased tomato yield by 12% over N-150.

At N-100, scientists observed the highest partial factor productivity of N (PFPN), while at N-200, the highest agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) was recorded.

Results suggest that there is opportunity to develop more efficient N fertilization strategies for Nepal, leading to benefits of higher yields and less environmental damage.

Read the study: Optimum Rate and Deep Placement of Nitrogen Fertilizer Improves Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Tomato Yield in Nepal

Cover photo: Generic, non-specific recommendations for fertilizer use in Nepal have affected the production of tomato crops. (Photo: Dilli Prasad Chalise/CIMMYT)

Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS)

Written by Sarah McLaughlin on November 8, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized.

Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS) takes a modular and multi-crop approach, implementing an integrated agrifood system that supports food security, employment, and equity. The project focuses on soil fertility management integrated with agrifood systems based on smallholder farmer productivity gains, leveraging both One CGIAR and non-CGIAR innovation partners to support scaling on the ground by last-mile partners.

SASAS moves beyond humanitarian response and resilience to inclusive agriculture-led economic growth and enables landless and under resourced people to participate in functional and gender-sensitive high-production value chains.

This work contributes to six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Zero Hunger; Good Health and Well-Being for People; Gender Equality; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Responsible Consumption and Production; and Climate Action.

SASAS Feature Film

Technical Overview: Interventions and Food Security Initiative

Abdelrahman Kheir, chief of party for SASAS, highlights the project’s rapid deployment of agricultural technologies across Sudan.

Imtithal Ali Atta Allah from the El-Harram Cooperative

Ali Atta Allah, a farmer, talks about her recent financial gains from selling vegetables cultivated with SASAS-provided seeds.

Aziza Haroun from the El-Harram Cooperative

Aziza Haroun shares her story working with Mercy Corps and SASAS who have provided her with improved seed, doubling her crop yields compared to previous years.

MasAgro is “a gift for Africa”

Written by Sarah McLaughlin on September 23, 2022. Posted in News.

Francisco Mayorga joins the CIMMYT Board of Trustees to reflect on MasAgro. (Credit: Francisco Alarcón/CIMMYT)

Between June 20-23, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) hosted its Board of Trustees meeting, with presentations spanning the breadth of its global projects.

One particular project captured the imagination of attendees: MasAgro, which promotes the sustainable intensification of maize- and wheat-based production systems in Mexico. Through implementing collaborative research initiatives, developing improved varieties, and introducing sustainable technologies and farming practices, the program aims to improve livelihoods and production systems for farmers by enhancing their connections with local value chain actors.

Francisco Mayorga, businessman and former Secretary of Agriculture for Mexico, and Lindiwe Sibanda, CIMMYT board member and member of the CGIAR System Board, presented on the creation of CIMMYT’s MasAgro program and its results. Sibanda interviewed Mayorga to learn where the project’s achievements can be scaled and replicated, describing the project as a “gift for Africa” from Mexico.

Farmers load hybrid maize cobs in sacks for horse transportation over the mountains in Chiapas, Mexico. (Credit: P. Lowe/CIMMYT)

What’s in it for farmers?

Built on the premise of ‘take it to the farmers’, MasAgro helps farmers understand the broader context of agrifood systems in order to facilitate their successful transition to sustainable farming practices. This is accomplished through innovation hubs: core spaces defined by similar agroecological conditions that promote participatory innovation processes and co-implement functional structures for the validation, adaptation, and scaling of sustainable solutions.

Innovation hubs facilitate mentorship by providing closeness between farmers and value chain actors. A physical and virtual network of research platforms, demonstration modules and extension areas support actors to gain skills and knowledge to achieve common objectives. For example, farmers can learn how about agricultural tools and practices and where best to use them on their land, and they now consider the impact of fertilizers on the soil and ecosystem and seek alternatives.

Useful information is provided via multiple communication tools, including mobile messaging, to enable effective knowledge sharing and innovation between actors. The network has led to farmers independently adapting and adopting new practices after learning from others.

The selling point for farmers is understanding why sustainable agriculture creates opportunities for their livelihoods and lives – with improved practices, they can establish a successful long-term setup to increase their yield and income. These opportunities will appeal to smallholders worldwide.

Silvia Suarez Moreno harvests maize in Chiapas, Mexico. (Credit: P. Lowe/CIMMYT)

Benefits for the public and private sector

What also differentiates MasAgro is the emphasis on public and private sector partnerships. CIMMYT collaborated with partners to develop the MasAgro mindset and build their capacity to deliver seed to small- and medium-sized farms. Sibanda praised the use of CIMMYT’s presence in Mexico for developing these connections.

Mayorga highlighted the importance of securing funding and support from the Ministry of Agriculture in the project’s success. He said he initially persuaded colleagues to invest by emphasizing MasAgro’s holistic approach, which considers all elements of farming, rather than dealing with them as individual elements.

Using the different government instruments to support the theory of change towards the impact of MasAgro is part of the success. For example, for businesses, the Mexican government provided funding for laboratory equipment and training needs after identifying seed company partners to support through their research programs and regional markets. Mayorga also celebrated partnerships with small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who were supported by CIMMYT engineers to design more effective machinery and think around scale-appropriate business models. This created additional businesses in the agricultural sector.

Through these partnerships, private sector organizations have invested in agricultural research and development that will benefit smallholders, prevent food insecurity, and support a shift to sustainable farming. Countries in Africa can benefit from similar investment, which could be achieved through exporting and recreating the MasAgro model.

Tzeltal farmer harvests beans in her maize field. (Credit: P. Lowe/CIMMYT)

Flexible government support

Practical support and policy change from the Mexican government further encouraged farmers to adopt sustainable practices. Mayorga explained how a subsidy for farmers’ fuel was replaced with alternative financial support for equipment. Sibanda described this initiative as “visionary” and “a triple win” – farmers could purchase a machine at a subsidized rate, use less labor, and cause less damage to the environment.

To incentivize large companies in Mexico that buy a lot of wheat, Mayorga tapped into their desire “to encourage an economic behavior in the farmer” and introduce a more entrepreneurial approach to agriculture. They encouraged businesses to buy grains from farmers at a better price and learn more about the MasAgro approach.

“You don’t stay with an idea as a policy advisor and politician – you popularize it, look for new champions, walk the talk and put money into it,” summarized Sibanda. “I think that’s a legacy.”