CGIAR Initiative on Excellence in Agronomy

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/117888

Part of the CGIAR Action Area on Resilient Agrifood Systems.

Primary CGIAR impact area: Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs

https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/11-excellence-in-agronomy-eia-solutions-for-agricultural-transformation/

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 689

The fungal and protist community as affected by tillage, crop residue burning and N fertilizer application
(Journal Article, 2025) Dendooven, Luc; Pérez‑Hernández, Valentín; Gómez-Acata, Selene; Verhulst, Nele; Govaerts, Bram; Luna-Guido, Marco; Navarro–Noya, Yendi E.
The bacterial community in soil is often affected by agricultural practices, but how they affect protists and fungi is less documented. Soil from treatments that combined different N fertilizer application rates, tillage and crop residue management was sampled from a field trial started by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) at the ‘Campo Experimental Norman E. Borlaug’ (CENEB) in the Yaqui Valley in the northwest of Mexico in the early 1990s, and the fungal and protist community determined. Tillage, residue burning, and N fertilizer application had no significant effect on the fungal and protists alpha diversity expressed as Hill numbers and no significant effect on the fungal and protist community structure considering all species. The relative abundance of plant pathogens and undefined saprotrophs as determined with FUNGuildR increased significantly with tillage, while that of dung-plant and dung-soil saprotroph, and plant pathogens by burning (P < 0.05). It was found that the protists and fungal community structures were not altered by different agricultural practices, but some fungal guilds were, i.e., plant pathogens and saprotrophs, which might affect soil organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling and crop growth.
Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya
(Report, 2025) Rickards, Chima Benita; Otieno, Wycliffe; Marenya, Paswel
Agricultural extension services remain critical for bridging the gap between agronomic research and on-farm adoption, yet systemic inefficiencies such as low farmer-to-agent ratios, fragmented knowledge dissemination, and limited accessibility of traditional methods of learning hinder progress. Digital tools offer transformative potential through scalability, real-time interaction, and tailored content delivery. However, their impact is often constrained by poor usability, lack of farmer-centric design, and uneven technological access. In 2023, we piloted a case study in Western Kenya’s Siaya and Busia counties, focusing on sorghum and millet cultivation. The initiative tested a hybrid extension model integrating GeoFarmer, a digital platform, with existing farmer networks. We explored the following research questions: 1. What insights can be drawn from the integration of peer-to-peer learning and two-way knowledge exchange in digital extension platforms? What specific mechanisms and interactions appear to facilitate or hinder knowledge sharing within the examined agricultural community? 2. How do farmers with varying technological backgrounds engage with a Human-Centred Design (HCD) digital platform? Which design elements ease adoption, and what challenges persist in the studied communities? 3. What emerging patterns suggest how digital extension networks can complement traditional in person demonstration methods to support the wider adoption of improved agronomic practices?
Empowering farmers through a human-centered advisory approach: Enhanced support yields tangible benefits
(Case Study, 2025-03-25) Desta, Lulseged Tamene; Mesfin, Tewodros; Degefie, Tibebe; Ebrahim, Mohammed; Abera, Wuletawu; Endrias, Abrhame
A human-centered, socially inclusive approach to advisory services combines financial support with tailored agronomic advice. Partnering the private sector, LERSHA , we developed integrated solutions that link credit and insurance with advisory services, fostering evidence-based practices. This approach encouraged financial institutions to offer customized agricultural financing, addressing resource-limited farmers’ needs. Collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (the Alliance) enabled data-driven credit scoring for 8,608 farmers across five regions, with 1,450 farmers securing microloans. These efforts empower farmers to adopt improved practices while ensuring financial inclusion.
Transforming Ethiopia’s agroadvisory: Harmonizing two agronomy use-cases for tailored, site-specific agronomic solutions
(Case Study, 2025-03-26) Desta, Lulseged Tamene; Mesfin, Tewodros; Degefie, Tibebe; Chernet, Meklit; Abera, Wuletawu; Tilaye, Asmalu; Ebrahim, Mohammed; Yitaferu, Birru; Abera, Dejene
The Alliance- and ICRISAT-led Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) Initiative use cases are transforming Ethiopia's agroadvisory services with tailored, site-specific agronomic solutions. By harmonizing the Alliance’s NextGen agroadvisory and ICRISAT’s landscape-based Decision Support Tools (DSTs) into a unified platform, the Initiative is enhancing advisory precision, reducing duplication, and minimizing stakeholder confusion. The National Agricultural Research System validated the harmonized DST on 2,500 crop farms, confirming its effectiveness. The Ministry of Agriculture aims to scale this technology to reach 4 million farmers by 2030, driving sustainable agricultural transformation nationwide.
Sustainable cocoa sourcing under the EUDR. Maximizing benefits for planet and people – research dialogue results, WCC Brussels, Belgium
(Brief, 2025-03) Schmidt, Paul Gunter; Bunn, Christian
Making water pivotal in the design of food systems
(Journal Article, 2024-12) Hellegers, P.; Schmitter, Petra; Talbi, A.; van Iwaarden, C.
Water plays a crucial role in our food systems and food security. However, the essential role of water for a functioning food system and the impacts of food systems on water availability and quality have not yet been adequately recognized. Due to a lack of coordination among water and food systems actors, there are siloed water, food security, and nutrition strategies. This paper presents the case to make water pivotal in designing food systems, laying out action perspectives for different actors to move toward what we call “water-responsible food systems”. This paper is based on input from many participants during workshops and existing literature. A food systems approach provides an excellent entry point to link food with water considering climate change and energy. Moreover, collective and cross-cutting actions between actors in food systems are essential to make decisive progress, as well as a common language and insight into the trade-offs of the multiple values of water for a clear prioritization of water use and allocation.
Transitioning to soil health and carbon sequestration with agroforestry and perennial crop systems
(Journal Article, 2024-11-20) Oelbermann, M.; Chang, S.X.; Pulleman, Mirjam; Whalen, J.K.
Integrating seasonal forecast information with crop models to inform decision making in small-scale farming under climate variability
(Journal Article, 2025) Mkuhlani, S.; Rusere, F.; Zinyengere, N.; Crespo, O.
Integrating seasonal forecast information and crop models has the potential to inform farm management decisions under climate variability. The study assessed the feasibility of integrating seasonal forecast information into crop models for decision making in small-scale farming conditions in South Africa. Seasonal forecast outputs from the GCM, CFSv2, were coupled into the DSSAT v4.7 crop model to evaluate the impact of farm management decisions in Limpopo, South Africa. Historical weather and seasonal forecast data for the 2011–2017 and 2017/2018 seasons were utilised to set up and validate decision scenarios. The analysis of maize yield data under different combinations of management practices and seasonal forecasts yielded a range of decision scenarios. Overall, there were no notable differences in farm management decision scenarios among different farmer types. Integrating seasonal forecast information into crop models offers valuable insights in cases where decision capacity is low and climate sensitivity is high, as well as where decision capacity is high and climate sensitivity is weak. The decision support system proved more effective for cereal and vegetable crops than for legumes. In conclusion, integrating seasonal forecast information into crop models is a feasible approach for enhancing farm management decision making in South African small-scale farming systems.
Evaluation of safe planting window predictions for maize in Kano Nigeria-AKILIMO-SAA use case
(Presentation, 2024-12) Tofa, A.I.; Peter, H.; Aliyu, K.T.; Kamara, A.; Kreye, C.
UX for the safe planting window maize DST Nigeria AKILIMO SAA use case
(Presentation, 2024-12) Kreye, C.; Peter, H.; Tofa, A.I.
AgriTech4Kenya Consultation Workshop and Launch: Live Session Recording
(Video, 2024-04) CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform
AgriTech4Kenya Bootcamp Pitch Event: Live Session Recording
(Video, 2024-12-10) CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform
From November 25th to 29th, 2024, 25 selected teams converged in Limuru, Kenya, for a dynamic and interactive Bootcamp experience. This intensive four-day event provided participants with tailored technical mentorship, business strategy sessions, a field visit, and invaluable networking opportunities. The highlight of the Bootcamp was the Pitch Event on November 29th, held during Kenya Innovation Week. Here, innovators showcased their groundbreaking solutions to a distinguished panel of industry leaders, investors, and strategic partners.
Analyzing Farmers’ Behavior in the Adoption of Paid Digital Extension Service: Experimental Evidence of Rice Advice in Nigeria
(Journal Article, 2024) Amoussouhoui, R.; Arouna, A.; Cerjak, M.; Yergo, W.G.; Banout, J.
AgriTech4Kenya: Bootcamp Innovators Booklet
(Brochure, 2024-12) Loiseau, Camille; Khader, Taija; Sanchez, Hannah; Bhansali, M.
AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge 2024: Bootcamp Highlight
(Video, 2025-01-20) CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform
As part of the AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge, 25 selected teams converged in Limuru, Kenya, for a dynamic and interactive Bootcamp experience, from November 25th to 29th, 2024. This intensive four-day event provided participants with tailored technical mentorship, business strategy sessions, a field visit, and invaluable networking opportunities.
Climate change and ecological intensification of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa – A systems approach to predict maize yield under push-pull technology
(Journal Article, 2023-04-05) Alexandridis, Nikolaos; Feit, Benjamin; Kihara, Job; Luttermoser, Tim; May, Wilhelm; Midega, Charles; Öborn, Ingrid; Poveda, Katja; Sileshi, Gudeta W.; Zewdie, Beyene; Clough, Yann; Jonsson, Mattias
Assessing effects of climate change on agricultural systems and the potential for ecological intensification to increase food security in developing countries is essential to guide management, policy-making and future research. 'Push-pull' technology (PPT) is a poly-cropping design developed in eastern Africa that utilizes plant chemicals to mediate plant-insect interactions.PPT application yields significant increases in crop productivity, by reducing pest load and damage caused by arthropods and parasitic weeds, while also bolstering soil fertility. As climate change effects may be species-and/or context-specific, there is need to elucidate how, in interaction with biotic factors, projected climate conditions are likely to influence future functioning of PPT. Here, we first reviewed how changes in temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO 2 concentration can influence PPT components (i.e., land use, soils, crops, weeds, diseases, pests and their natural enemies) across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).We then imposed these anticipated responses on a landscape-scale qualitative mathematical model of maize production under PPT in eastern Africa, to predict cumulative, structure-mediated impacts of climate change on maize yield. Our review suggests variable impacts of climate change on PPT components in SSA by the end of the 21st century, including reduced soil fertility, increased weed and arthropod pest pressure and increased prevalence of crop diseases, but also increased biological control by pests' natural enemies. Extrapolating empirical evidence of climate effects to predict responses to projected climate conditions is mainly limited by a lack of mechanistic understanding regarding single and interactive effects of climate variables on PPT components. Model predictions of maize yield responses to anticipated impacts of climate change in eastern Africa suggest predominantly negative future trends. Nevertheless, maize yields can be sustained or increased by favourable changes in system components with less certain future behaviour, including higher PPT adoption, preservation of field edge density and agricultural diversification beyond cereal crops.
AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge: Bootcamp Pitch Event, 29 November 2024
(Presentation, 2024-11-29) Khader, Taija; Bhansali, Malvika; Wafullah, Nekesah
From November 25th to 29th, 2024, 25 selected teams converged in Limuru, Kenya, for a dynamic and interactive Bootcamp experience. This intensive four-day event provided participants with tailored technical mentorship, business strategy sessions, a field visit, and invaluable networking opportunities. The highlight of the Bootcamp was the Pitch Event on November 29th, held during Kenya Innovation Week. At this occasion, innovators showcased their groundbreaking solutions to a distinguished panel of industry leaders, investors, and strategic partners.
Use case report on scenarios of water availability and use in the Central Highland Ecoregions Foodscapes (CHEF) of Kenya
(Report, 2024-12-30) Owusu, Afua; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan; Velpuri, Naga M.; Magesa, R.; Schmitter, Petra
This report examines water availability and usage in Kenya’s Central Highland Ecoregions Foodscapes (CHEF), highlighting the role of data-driven tools in sustainable agricultural water management. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has developed the Scale Invariant Water Accounting Plus (SIWA+) framework and the Securing Water Use in Agriculture (SWAG) tool to address key water challenges. SIWA+ provides insights into water inflows, outflows, and consumption, aiding policymakers in mitigating water scarcity. SWAG assesses crop water requirements, helping identify water deficits and surpluses to optimize irrigation strategies. Findings reveal significant regional disparities in water availability and usage across the CHEF counties. While Kenya has an average utilizable flow of 21 km³ per year, that of CHEF counties range from 0.06 km³ in Kirinyaga to 1.9 km³ in Isiolo. Isiolo also faces the highest risk of water demand surpassing supply, with a basin closure fraction of 71%, whereas Nyandarua and Nakuru have the lowest risk at 54% and 55%, respectively. Rainfed agriculture dominates CHEF, covering 88% of the cropland, making the region highly susceptible to climate variability. In 2021, the CHEF region experienced a net water deficit of 255 million m³, alongside a 117 million m³ oversupply, highlighting opportunities for localized storage and redistribution to improve water resilience. Future analysis will explore crop-specific comparisons of blue and green water use as well as water oversupply and deficits. This will also incorporate climate change scenarios and land-use planning. The insights gained from this advanced analysis will support crop specific field/farm level water management strategies aimed at enhancing food security in the region.
CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform and Partners launch the AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge 2024
(Blog Post, 2024-07-16) Al Keylani, Ambra; Wafullah, Teresah
AgriTech4Kenya is an initiative powered by Kenyans, for Kenya. Through a participatory and demand-driven approach, the project offers comprehensive support to build a solid go-to-market strategy through business mentorship, scientific technical validation, market opportunities, access to finance, and on-the-ground experimentation with end-users to pilot solutions. In doing so, it aims to create an enabling environment for testing, validating, and transferring knowledge and technological solutions that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of Kenya’s agricultural system, unlocking the nation’s potential in line with its strategic objective to be food secure by 2033.
Highlights: AgriTech4Kenya Consultation Workshop and Launch
(Video, 2024-05-15) CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform
Kenya faces significant challenges in achieving food security despite its fertile land. With annual food imports exceeding USD 1.1 billion and rising, and climate change impacts and urbanization intensifying, there's an urgent need for innovative solutions. The AgriTech4Kenya Innovation Challenge aims to address these issues by fostering science-based agri-tech innovations that are localized within the national context and driven by market demand. By bridging the gap between research and market adoption, the initiative supports sustainability, resilience, and efficiency in Kenya’s agriculture. On April, 16, 2024, a high-consultation workshop brought together key stakeholders to explore the agri-tech innovation landscape in Kenya.

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