Alliance Research Lever 6: Crops for Nutrition and Health

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/107454

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Editorial: Sustainable and resilient food systems in times of crises
(Journal Item, 2025-02-11) Ben Hassen, Tarek; El Bilali, Hamid; Daher, Bassel; Burkart, Stefan
The global food system is facing multiple and multifaceted challenges and crises: increasing population, climate change, pandemics, conflicts, economic shocks, and natural disasters. These challenges have exposed its fragility and underscored the urgency of transitioning to sustainable and resilient food systems. Such systems ensure equitable access to nutritious food, minimize environmental impacts, and enhance resilience against shocks. In crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the vulnerabilities of the global food system have become starkly apparent, leading to disruptions in supply chains, food shortages, and inflation. Additionally, climate change and natural disasters further threaten food security worldwide. This Research Topic explores innovative approaches—including agroecological practices, circular economies, and localized food systems—to build resilience and sustainability. To provide a comprehensive understanding of these pressing issues, the 17 articles of this Research Topic are organized into four thematic areas: the impacts of crises on food systems, the effects of COVID-19 on food systems, sustainable food systems and practices, and the social, economic, and waste management dimensions of food systems.
The importance of genotyping within the climate-smart plant breeding value chain – integrative tools for genetic enhancement programs
(Journal Article, 2025-02-06) Garcia-Oliveira, Ana Luisa; Ortiz, Rodomiro; Sarsu, Fatma; Rasmussen, Søren K.; Agre, Paterne; Asfaw, Asrat; Kante, Moctar; Chander, Subhash
The challenges faced by today’s agronomists, plant breeders, and their managers encompass adapting sustainably to climate variability while working with limited budgets. Besides, managers are dealing with a multitude of issues with different organizations working on similar initiatives and projects, leading to a lack of a sustainable impact on smallholder farmers. To transform the current food systems as a more sustainable and resilient model efficient solutions are needed to deliver and convey results. Challenges such as logistics, labour, infrastructure, and equity, must be addressed alongside adapting to increasingly unstable climate conditions which affect the life cycle of transboundary pathogens and pests. In this context, transforming food systems go far beyond just farmers and plant breeders and it requires substantial contributions from industry, global finances, transportation, energy, education, and country developmental sectors including legislators. As a result, a holistic approach is essential for achieving sustainable and resilient food systems to sustain a global population anticipated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100. As of 2021, nearly 193 million individuals were affected by food insecurity, 40 million more than in 2020. Meanwhile, the digital world is rapidly advancing with the digital economy estimated at about 20% of the global gross domestic product, suggesting that digital technologies are increasingly accessible even in areas affected by food insecurity. Leveraging these technologies can facilitate the development of climate-smart cultivars that adapt effectively to climate variation, meet consumer preferences, and address human and livestock nutritional needs. Most economically important traits in crops are controlled by multiple loci often with recessive alleles. Considering particularly Africa, this continent has several agro-climatic zones, hence crops need to be adapted to these. Therefore, targeting specific loci using modern tools offers a precise and efficient approach. This review article aims to address how these new technologies can provide a better support to smallholder farmers.
TreeEyed: A QGIS plugin for tree monitoring in silvopastoral systems using state of the art AI models
(Journal Article, 2025-01-29) Ruiz-Hurtado, Andres Felipe; Bolaños, Juliana Perez; Arrechea-Castillo, Darwin Alexis; Cardoso, Juan Andres
Tree monitoring is a challenging task due to the labour-intensive and time-consuming data collection methods required. We present TreeEyed, a QGIS plugin designed to facilitate the monitoring of trees using remote sensing RGB imagery and artificial intelligence models. The plugin offers several tools including tree inference process for tree segmentation and detection. This tool was implemented to facilitate the manipulation and processing of Geographical Information System (GIS) data from different sources, allowing multi-resolution, variable extent, and generating results in a standard GIS format (georeferenced raster and vector). Additional options like postprocessing, dataset generation, and data validation are also incorporated.
Advisory services boost bean farming in Malawi
(Brief, 2025-02-11) Chideya, Yohane; Magwaya, Eunice; Nkhata, Wilson; Rubyogo, Jean Claude; Moyo, Nobel; Madzonga, Oswin
The Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) has made a significant impact on smallholder bean farming in Malawi, especially during the challenging 2023-24 cropping season, exacerbated by an El Niño-induced drought. Through innovative advisory services, AID-I facilitated the adoption of climate-smart practices, including drought-tolerant seeds and improved soil management techniques. The initiative has empowered farmers like Monica Levison and Liden Mbengo to overcome challenges and increase their yields. By focusing on seed multiplication, effective agronomic practices, and extensive training, AID-I has enhanced food production and resilience among smallholders. The project has trained over 11,000 farmers, with a notable percentage of women, driving community-level agricultural transformation. These efforts have not only improved crop yields but also sparked long-term economic growth, food security, and resilience in Malawi’s farming communities.
Private sector led multi-stakeholder platforms positively influence certified seed supply in Malawi
(Journal Article, 2024-08-24) Gondwe, Wanangwa; Phiri, Alexander; Birachi, Eliud; Magreta, Ruth; Larochelle, Catherine; Machira, Kennedy; Mutua, Mercy; Rubyogo, Jean Claude; Nkhata, Wilson
Common bean yields in Malawi remain low, primarily due to the use of low-yielding, recycled local seeds by most smallholder farmers. The low uptake of certified bean seed is attributed to limited incentives from the private sector. This study hypothesizes that the sustainable adoption of market-preferred varieties can be achieved by synchronizing and linking seed production to the grain market through committed value chain actors in a private sector-led multi-stakeholder platform. This paper examines the role of private sector-led multi-stakeholder platforms in the supply of certified common bean seed in Malawi. The research draws on both qualitative and quantitative primary data collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and interviews with key informants. Data were analyzed using an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model. The results indicate that several variables representing membership in multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) significantly affect the supply of certified common bean seed. Participation in MSPs, contractual arrangements, market structure, extension services, and seed demonstrations positively influenced seed supply. The findings underscore the need for a well-coordinated multi-stakeholder platform to enhance the supply of certified common bean seed, supported by effective policies and incentives from policymakers.
SOP for water absorption capacity and cooking time in beans
(Report, 2025-01) Manzano, Kelly Tatiana; Soto Betancourt, Fabricio; Gallego Castillo, Sonia
This standard operating procedure (SOP) describes the stages involved in the process of estimating the water absorption capacity and cooking time of bean grain samples, using a Mattson Bean Cooker
Enabling Sustainable Livestock Development: ‘CLEANED’ tool effectively supports Environmental Impact Assessments across 34 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
(Case Study, 2025) Notenbaert, An; Mwema, Emmanuel; Gonzalez, Ricardo; Van Der Hoek, Ringenerus; Isiaho, Glarion; Ewell, Hanna
By generating evidence of environmental footprints, our impact-assessment tool ‘CLEANED’ improves sustainable livestock enterprise planning. Numerous trainings/workshops have taught the next users (researchers, livestock-industry stakeholders, educators, and policy advisors) how to use CLEANED effectively. Several CLEANED assessments have been conducted (of which 20 have been documented), presented to, and discussed with decision-makers at different levels throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This has led to greater environmental awareness and environmentally-sensitive planning of livestock interventions.
Interspecific urochloa breeding program: Technical report - A521
(Report, 2024-12) Mejia, Juan Camilo
The genetic gain of yield, seed yield, and nutritional quality in the interspecific Urochloa pipeline was estimated through an ERA trial conducted at the CIAT campus in Palmira, Colombia. Each trial included 150 genotypes from seven cycles of selection at different stages, along with genebank accessions and cultivars. The assessed traits were shoot dry weight (SDW), cover (calculated from drone images), seed gross yield (SGY), crude protein content (CP), neutral detergent fiber content (NDF), and acid detergent fiber content (ADF). For the genetic gain estimation, we used a two-stage approach, considering only the hybrids in stage 4, which were selected after multi-location trials in Latin America by the Papalotla Group company (PG). Genetic gain rates were positive for SGY, SDW, and CP. Conversely, NDF and ADF showed negative genetic gain values, as the objective of these traits is to reduce them by improving the percentage of protein content and enhancing nutritional quality of the crop.
Uganda’s yellow star to launch nutritious bean-based flour to tackle malnutrition
(Blog Post, 2025-01-29) Munthali, Justice; Birachi, Eliud; Rubyogo, Jean Claude
Malnutrition remains a critical issue in Uganda, with high rates of child stunting and food insecurity. Despite the country’s agricultural resources, nearly one-third of children under five suffer from stunting, and a significant proportion face acute malnutrition. In response, Yellow Star Produce and Food Processors, in collaboration with the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), has developed an innovative solution: the Bean-Based Bio-Available Composite Flour. This nutrient-rich flour targets vulnerable populations, including children, expectant mothers, and individuals with chronic illnesses, providing essential nutrients to combat malnutrition. The flour is rich in protein, iron, and energy, supporting growth, immunity, and overall health. By incorporating biofortified beans, pumpkin flour, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and millet, Yellow Star ensures enhanced digestibility and nutrient absorption. With a commitment to sustainability and local farmer partnerships, Yellow Star not only offers a healthier alternative to combat malnutrition but also fosters economic and environmental sustainability. This product represents a critical step toward improving food security in Uganda, promoting long-term health and well-being.
Gold mining and social accountability: An empirical approach in Colombia
(Journal Article, 2025-01-24) Saldarriaga-Isaza, Adrián; Florez-Herrera, Fernando; Ibáñez-Diaz, Marcela
This paper aims to understand the impact of potential gold mining on social accountability. By using the Mediation Analysis method, we have developed an impact evaluation for a region of Colombia, through an empirical strategy that allows for the comparison of municipalities with and without potential gold mining. Our model's estimation considered two set of indicators: social accountability and social capital, which underwent Principal Component Analysis. We found that potential gold mining has a positive effect on social accountability, meaning that in municipalities with gold mining potential there is a greater use of participation tools, surveillance and control mechanisms by the local community. This effect is mediated by social capital, i.e., social capital causes the population of gold mining municipalities to implement social accountability. Some policy recommendations and conclusions are presented below.
Gendered value chains, market segmentation, and customer profiling for breeding programs
(Book Chapter, 2024-01-01) Katungi, Enid; Tufan, Hale Ann; Isoto, Rosemary
Unleashing strategies to mitigate methane emissions in rice fields and livestock system
(Journal Article, 2024-12-02) Joseph-Fernando, Ezhilmathi Angela; Selvaraj, Michael; Arango, Jacobo
Participatory plant breeding to develop biofortified upland rice for marginal environments
(Journal Article, 2024-10-29) Castro-Pacheco, Sergio Antonio; Rabekijana, Ravo; Andriamiarana, Mahevanirina; Raveloson, Harinjaka; Rakotomalala, Joël; Ramanantsoanirina, Alain; Garin, Vincent; Grenier, Cecile; vom Brocke, Kirsten
Abstract In the Highlands of Madagascar, where rice is the main staple food, explosive demographic growth has driven the need for the development of upland rice. In that context, a Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) program conducted by the FOFIFA-Cirad partnership, aims to develop upland rice varieties adapted to farmers’ needs, with superior agronomic performances, and with high grain zinc concentration. In the area, where ferralitic soils with N and P deficiencies prevail, limited fertilizer usage persists due to elevated costs, and upland rice varieties must adapt to these low fertility environments. Thus, this paper aims to identify the adequate selection conditions and methods that allow combining the above-mentioned criteria for selection. So, 56 rice breeding lines, including high-zinc genotypes, were evaluated in field trials with contrasting fertility conditions. A relative selection efficiency analysis demonstrated that selection for yield should be done in moderate fertility environments, while selection for grain zinc concentration could be done across a diverse range of conditions. Through participatory evaluations, we identified that, for this case, grain appreciation was the most important character for deciding whether to select a line, followed by productivity and earliness. We also noted that farmers were more willing to accept a variety if it had higher grain zinc concentration. Finally, we proposed a selection index that combines agronomic, farmers’ and nutritional criteria, with the purpose of selecting lines that fulfill the expectations on these areas. Overall, this paper proposes an adapted methodology for the combination of PPB and biofortification in marginal environments.
Salt tolerance in mungbean is associated with controlling Na and Cl transport across roots, regulating Na and Cl accumulation in chloroplasts and maintaining high K in root and leaf mesophyll cells
(Journal Article, 2024-09) Iqbal, Md Shahin; Clode, Peta L.; Malik, Al Imran; Erskine, William; Kotula, Lukasz
Salinity tolerance requires coordinated responses encompassing salt exclusion in roots and tissue/cellular compartmentation of salt in leaves. We investigated the possible control points for salt ions transport in roots and tissue tolerance to Na
Artificial intelligence in science and society: The vision of USERN
(Journal Article, 2025-01-01) Dorigo, Tommaso; Brown, Gary D.; Casonato, Carlo; Cerdà, Artemi; Ciarrochi, Joseph; da Lio, Mauro; D’Souza, Nicole; Gauger, Nicolas R.; Hayes, Steven C.; Hofmann, Stefan G.; Johansson, Robert; Liwicki, Marcus; Lotte, Fabien; Nieto, Juan J.; Olivato, Giulia; Parnes, Peter; Perry, George; Plebe, Alice; Rao, Idupulapati; Rezaei, Nima; Sandin, Fredrik; Ustyuzhanin, Andrey; Vallortigara, Giorgio; Vischia, Pietro; Yazdanpanah, Niloufar
The recent rise in relevance and diffusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems and the increasing number and power of applications of AI methods invites a profound reflection on the impact. The Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), an organization that promotes initiatives to support interdisciplinary science and education across borders and actively works to improve science policy, collects here the vision of its Advisory Board members, together with a selection of AI experts, to summarize how we see developments in this exciting technology impacting science and society in the foreseeable future. In this review, we first attempt to establish clear definitions of intelligence and consciousness, then provide an overview of AI’s state of the art and its applications. A discussion of the implications, opportunities, and liabilities of the diffusion of AI for research in a few representative fields of science follows this. Finally, we address the potential risks of AI to modern society, suggest strategies for mitigating those risks, and present our conclusions and recommendations
Revolutionizing livestock feeding: The future of feed databases
(Blog Post, 2025-01-29) Karimi, Peggy; Mwendia, Solomon; Notenbaert, An; Jones, Chris; Sonja, Leitner
Participatory AI for inclusive crop improvement
(Journal Article, 2024-07-24) Lasdun, Violet; Guerena, David Tonatiuh; Ortiz-Crespo, Berta; Mutuvi, Stephen Mutisya; Selvaraj, Michael Gomez; Assefa, Teshale
Crop breeding in the Global South faces a 'phenotyping bottleneck' due to reliance on manual visual phenotyping, which is both error-prone and challenging to scale across multiple environments, inhibiting selection of germplasm adapted to farmer production environments. This limitation impedes rapid varietal turnover, crucial for maintaining high yields and food security under climate change. Low adoption of improved varieties results from a top-down system in which farmers have been more passive recipients than active participants in varietal development.
Building capacity and resources for genomic prediction in forage grass and legume breeding
(Report, 2024-12) Jones, Chris; Jauregui, Rosa Noemi
Forage seed market analysis in Vietnam
(Report, 2024) Bravo, Aura; Huyen, Le Thi Thanh; Dao Thu, Hang Thi; Pazos, Mateo; Triana, Natalia; Philp, Joshua; Atieno, Mary; Burkart, Stefan
The rapid expansion of animal-protein markets in Asia, coupled with the socioeconomic importance of livestock for communities in northern Vietnam, has further driven national and provincial governments to prioritize development policies aimed at modernizing and transforming the livestock sector (Dung et al., 2020; Decision No. 1520/QD-TTg issued on October 6, 2020 by the Prime Minister; Pham et al., 2020; Hansen, 2018). Consequently, technology-driven solutions and innovations aimed at improving the diets and nutrition of cattle, buffalo, and pigs have become essential to enabling the transition toward sustainable and inclusive livestock systems. The SAPLING initiative (Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition, and Gender Inclusion) under the CGIAR Initiative in Vietnam (2022 and 2024), aimed improve the value chains of pigs and cattle in the Northwest Highlands (NWH) region. To address the challenges of low productivity, the initiative targeted farmers by providing training on technical innovations in breeding, feed and forage management, and animal health. The Feed and Forages (F&F) component focused at transforming livestock feeding and nutrition practices to overcome challenges such as feed shortages during winter and dry seasons, the low nutritional quality of livestock feed (often reliant on native pastures and crop residues), and the lack of knowledge and skills in forage management and feed technologies (Hammond et al., 2021; Tran et al., 2023).
Avances en el pre-mejoramiento del arroz: Estrategias de piramidación para mejorar la tolerancia a pyricularia (pyricularia oryzae cav.) Mediante la integración de cinco genes clave
(Poster, 2024-06-12) Pineda, Marcela; Agrono, Tomas; Quintero, Constanza; Morales, Mabel; Alvarez, Maria Fernanda
The fungus Pyricularia oryzae Cav., is the cause of the most important disease in rice cultivation, blast, due to its widespread presence in the world. Consequently, the development of rice plants tolerant to this disease is a key factor to maintain crop yields. By incorporating techniques such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) to screen genes of interest and the production of Double Haploid plants to generate homogeneous populations, we accelerate the development of resistant materials with several blast resistance genes. This study aims to obtain plants carrying five resistance genes to Pyricularia using molecular markers and tissue culture. Three parents were involved which have been identified as carriers of Pyricularia tolerance genes: CIFED 11 A (Pish, Pi2, and Piks-Zh), IRBLt-K59_LTH (Pi-t) and FL13032 (Pish and Pii). Two simple crosses were carried out (CIFED 11 A x IRBLt-K59 and CIFED 11 A x IRBLT-K59) and the F1 plants carrying the genes of each parent involved were selected, subsequently, A double cross was made between the two F1 to obtain a population of 1424 seeds that were planted to confirm the presence of the genes and with the selected plants the anther culture was carried out. In the tissue culture process, calluses were obtained, and plants were regenerated as a result of these. According to the phenotypic evaluation, double haploid plants were identified and evaluated to confirm the presence of the five resistance genes. Seven plants were confirmed as carriers of the genes of interest that present genotypic and phenotypic stability, which can be included in breeding program schemes for the generation of varieties tolerant to Pyricularia.

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