Alliance Research Lever 6: Crops for Nutrition and Health
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/107454
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Item Mr. Bean: a comprehensive statistical and visualization application for modeling agricultural field trials data(Journal Article, 2024-01-03) Aparicio, Johan; Gezan, Salvador A.; Ariza-Suarez, Daniel; Raatz, Bodo; Díaz, Santiago; Heilman-Morales, Ana; Lobaton, JuanCrop improvement efforts have exploited new methods for modeling spatial trends using the arrangement of the experimental units in the field. These methods have shown improvement in predicting the genetic potential of evaluated genotypes. However, the use of these tools may be limited by the exposure and accessibility to these products. In addition, these new methodologies often require plant scientists to be familiar with the programming environment used to implement them; constraints that limit data analysis efficiency for decision-making. These challenges have led to the development of Mr.Bean, an accessible and user-friendly tool with a comprehensive graphical visualization interface. The application integrates descriptive analysis, measures of dispersion and centralization, linear mixed model fitting, multi-environment trial analysis, factor analytic models, and genomic analysis. All these capabilities are designed to help plant breeders and scientist working with agricultural field trials make informed decisions more quickly. Mr.Bean is available for download at https://github.com/AparicioJohan/MrBeanApp.Item The Nutrition-Sensitive Food Environment Index: A comprehensive approach to assessing food environments in association with health risks for policy decision making(Journal Article, 2025-06-02) Akingbemisilu, Tosin Harold; Jordan, Irmgard; Asiimwe, Robert; Bodjrenou, Sam; Nabuuma, Deborah; Odongo, Nicanor; Onyango, Kevin Omondi; Teferi, Ermias; Tokeshi, Casey; Lundy, Mark; Termote, CelineFood environment indices often focus on food affordability, overlooking public health aspects. This study introduces a Nutrition-Sensitive Food-Environment Index (N-FEI) that assesses the interplay between food diversity, accessibility, and water and sanitation facilities linked to malnutrition risks. Data from 17,294 food vendors collected between 2020 and 2023 in six countries were used. Sensitivity analyses, Monte Carlo simulations, and variance decomposition were conducted to validate the index’s robustness. The machine learning algorithm XGBoost was used to predict health risks from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data, integrated into food environment data through geospatial techniques. The index model is scalable and adaptable for global use. Integrating comprehensive food environment assessments at the administrative census level is recommended to reduce estimation biases and to enhance the policymaking process. Future research should examine using the index for monitoring and evaluating food system transformations, tracking changes in food environments and related health outcomes.Item Making the most of small amounts of seed(Brief, 2025-05) Schultze-Kraft, Rainer; Ciprián, Arsenio; Urrea-Benítez, José L.; González, Juan JoséItem Boosting livestock productivity and sustainability in East Africa: The role of forage seed systems(Blog Post, 2025-02-13) Burkart, Stefan; Mwendia, Solomon WaweruLivestock farming plays a critical role in the economies of East African countries, with millions of people depending on cattle, goats and sheep for food, income and employment. However, despite the region's vast agricultural potential, livestock production faces a significant feed deficit - nearly 40% of the total ruminant feed demand is unmet annually. This challenge, compounded by climate change, is limiting the region's ability to maximize livestock productivity. Addressing this feed shortage is essential for improving food security, rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability.Item Near-infrared spectroscopy and wet chemistry dataset for forage nutritional quality assessment in Urochloa humidicola(Data Paper, 2025-05-13) Camelo, Rodrigo Andres; Mazabe, Johanna; Espitia-Buitrago, Paula; Jauregui, Rosa Noemi; Cardoso, Juan AndresAssessing the nutritional quality traits of pastures is crucial for germplasm and breeding evaluations, enabling the selection of high-quality forages to enhance livestock productivity. However, traditional laboratory analytical methods are logistically demanding and costly, particularly in large-scale trials, underscoring the need for rapid, precise, and high-throughput evaluation methods. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) optimizes the estimation of forage nutritional quality parameters by developing chemometric models that predict these parameters with high accuracy and precision, based on the association between NIRS data and wet chemistry analyses. This dataset, collected over ten years by the Tropical Forages Program at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Colombia, comprises 1112 samples. It includes 995 measurements of Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), 996 of Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), 995 of In Vitro Dry Matter (IVDMD), and 469 of Crude Protein (CP), all obtained through wet chemistry methodologies. Additionally, the 1112 samples contain absorbance data spanning 400 to 2498 nanometers (nm) in 2 nm intervals, generating 1050 spectral data points per sample. Finally, this dataset is a valuable resource for predicting forage nutritional quality beyond conventional parameters, incorporating plant reflectance attributes to enhance selection strategies for optimized forage selection.Item From deficiency to demand: Consumer preferences for zinc-biofortified rice in Colombia(Journal Article, 2025-05-01) Oswalt, Sara; Durand-Morat, Alvaro; Rivera, Tatiana; Gallego, Sonia; Andrade, Robert; McFadden, Brandon; Bonatti, MichelleUndernourishment caused by micronutrient deficiencies (hidden hunger) remains a critical global challenge affecting billions worldwide. Approximately 25 % of the population in Colombia has inadequate zinc intake. Biofortification of staple crops, such as rice, offers a promising solution to address this problem. However, changes in the physical and culinary attributes due to biofortification may hinder consumer acceptance and limit the benefits of this approach. This study assesses the impact of zinc fortification, information, and consumer nutrition knowledge on consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for rice in Cartagena, Colombia. We used a non-hypothetical experimental auction including 400 consumers. The results indicate that, without labelling and information treatment, zinc-biofortified rice is priced equal to premium-quality rice, and at an 18.8 % premium relative to standard-quality rice, highlighting that the high zinc content did not affect rice quality. Labelling results in an increase in WTP for both zinc-biofortified and premium-quality rice but not for standard-quality rice. Information about the benefits of zinc and the problems of zinc deficiency increases the WTP for zinc-biofortified rice by 8.2 % premium relative to premium-quality rice and a 43.8 % premium relative to standard-quality rice, which was reinforced by participants' nutrition knowledge. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to address malnutrition effectively, suggesting the implementation of targeted educational initiatives to enhance consumer acceptance, as well as the rice industry and retailers hoping to produce and market biofortified staple crops.Item Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 2 regulates secondary metabolism and confers manganese tolerance in Stylosanthes guianensis(Journal Article, 2025-01-06) Wang, Linjie; Li, Jifu; Liu, Liting; Dong, Rongshu; Liu, Guodao; Idupulapati, Rao; Chen, ZhijianItem From capacity building to local adoption: Manufacturing and diffusion of cassava flash dryers in DR Congo(Case Study, 2025-06-02) Tran, Thierry; Taborda , LuisFlash drying enhances cassava processing efficiency, reducing fuel consumption by 44% (from 132 to 74 liters/ton) and saving USD 60 per ton at current diesel prices (USD 1.036 per liter). Consistent drying lowers product rejection, boosting financial gains. Initially introduced through projects, local manufacturers are now independently producing flash dryers, with one training non-participants, signaling decentralized adoption. While cutting diesel reliance, integrating biomass systems remains critical for sustainability. The growing use in the DRC underscores the technology’s scalability and transformative potential for cassava value chains, offering cost efficiency and quality improvements.Item Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Operations manual [Lao language version](Manual, 2025-05-15) Delaquis, Erik; Malik, Al Imran; Newby, Jonathan; Escobar, Roosevelt; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Sok, Sophearith; Cu Thi, Thuy Le; Nhan, Pham ThiItem Women’s participation in the forage and dual-purpose maize seed market in Laos(Brief, 2025-05) Pazos Cardenas, Mateo; Bravo, Aura Maria; Triana Ángel, Natalia; Burkart, Stefan; Snyder, Katherine; Atieno, Mary Otieno; Philp, JoshuaIn rural Laos, women have historically played crucial roles in agricultural activities, including rice cultivation, forest harvesting, and more recently, livestock and maize production. However, ongoing modernization and commercialization processes are reshaping their roles, leading to diversification into new crops and agricultural practices. This adaptation is driven by the necessity to respond to evolving economic and technological conditions. Yet, women continue to encounter significant challenges in agricultural markets, particularly in trade, underscoring the critical need for gender-sensitive approaches to support their agricultural roles (Ireson, 1996; Millar & Connell, 2010; Moglia et al., 2020). The analysis adopted Porter’s Five Forces Framework for Industry Analysis (Ghemawat & Collis, 2010), adapted to accommodate various actor types within the seed system. These forces include competition, the threat of new entrants, supplier bargaining power, customer bargaining power, and the availability of substitutes for sector products. Given the diverse nature and multilocation of the forage seed landscape, involving various industries such as logistics and distribution, our study focused on companies assuming roles in seed selection, innovation, harvesting, and production. This approach assumes a high degree of vertical integration within the forage supply chain. Furthermore, we explored how other actors in the system integrate into the value network and contribute to the functioning of the forage seed value chain.Item Land, cows and bullets: A complex history of cattle ranching and armed conflict in Colombia(Blog Post, 2025-02-18) Triana Ángel, Natalia; Pazos Cardenas, Mateo; Burkart, StefanCattle ranching in Colombia has been at the heart of the country’s agricultural economy for centuries, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods and national development. However, the sector has also played a profound role in the country’s armed conflict, where the dynamics of land ownership, power and violence are deeply intertwined.Item Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Operations manual [Khmer language version](Manual, 2025-05-10) Delaquis, Erik; Malik, Imran; Newby, Jonathan C; Escobar, Roosevelt; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Sok, Sophearith; Cu Thi, Thuy Le; Nhan, Pham ThiItem Updating high-resolution image dataset for the automatic classification of phenological stage and identification of racemes in Urochloa spp. hybrids with expanded images and annotations(Data Paper, 2025-04-28) Arrechea-Castillo, Darwin Alexis; Espitia-Buitrago, Paula; Florian-Vargas, David; Estupinan, Ronald David; Velázquez-Hernández, Riquelmer; Ruiz-Hurtado, Andres Felipe; Hernandez, Luis Miguel; Jauregui, Rosa Noemi; Cardoso, Juan AndresThis dataset is an expanded version of a previously published collection of high-resolution RGB images of Urochloa spp. genotypes, initially designed to facilitate automated classification of phenological stages and raceme identification in forage breeding trials. The original dataset included 2400 images of 200 genotypes captured under controlled conditions, supporting the development of computer vision models for High-Throughput Phenotyping (HTP). In this updated release, 139 additional images and 24,983 new annotations have been added, bringing the dataset to a total of 2539 images and 47,323 raceme annotations. This version introduces increased diversity in image-capture conditions, with data collected from two geographic locations (Palmira, Colombia, and Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, Mexico) and a range of image-capture devices, including smartphones (e.g. Realme C53 and Oppo Reno 11), a Nikon D5600 camera, and a Phantom 4 Pro V2 drone. Images now vary in perspective (nadir, high-angle, and frontal) and capture distance (1–3 meters), enhancing the dataset applicability for robust Deep Learning (DL) models. Compared to the original dataset, raceme density per plant has nearly doubled in some samples, offering higher raceme overlap for advanced instance segmentation tasks. This expanded dataset supports deeper exploration of phenotypic variation in Urochloa spp. and offers greater potential for developing adaptable models in crop phenotyping.Item Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Construction manual [Lao language version](Manual, 2025-05) Delaquis, Erik; Newby, Jonathan; Malik, Al Imran; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Escobar, RooseveltItem Cassava rapid stem multiplication tunnel: Construction manual [Khmer language version](Manual, 2025-05) Delaquis, Erik; Newby, Jonathan C.; Malik, Al Imran; Youabee, Laothao; Oudthachit, Saythong; Escobar, RooseveltItem 250 Colombian cassava farmers and a processor gain access to digital dry-matter measurement for quality control and pricing criteria transparency(Case Study, 2025-05-07) Tran, Thierry; Taborda, AlejandroA portable digital scale and web-based tool enable precise on-site measurement of dry matter which could harmonize cassava pricing and quality control. The innovation enables farmers measure cassava dry matter, aligning their quality standards with their buyers’ processors needs. Adoption is growing in Colombia with international interest. A manufacturing partner continues to produce and sell the device, ensuring scalability and sustainability. By bridging the information gap, the tool enhances fairness, transparency, and efficiency in cassava trade and processing.Item BrRacemeCounter: An AI-based desktop tool for counting racemes in Urochloa spp.(Journal Article, 2025-05-08) Arrechea-Castillo, Darwin Alexis; Espitia-Buitrago, Paula; Arboleda, Ronald David; Gallego-Muñoz, Ana Marcela; Moreno-Domínguez, Valeria; Gaviria-Valencia, Juan Manuel; Bravo, Valeria Andrea; Ruiz-Hurtado, Andres Felipe; Jauregui, Rosa Noemi; Cardoso, Juan AndresSeed yield prediction in forage plants involves the detection and counting of individual racemes that comprise an inflorescence. However, this task is labor-intensive to perform manually across large numbers of plants and overly complex for classical machine learning techniques due to challenges such as high raceme overlap, large variations in raceme numbers per image and spectral signature similarities between the racemes and the vegetative parts of the plant. To address these challenges, a deep learning-based desktop tool was implemented to count individual racemes in RGB images of Urochloa genotypes, showing different phenological stages and wide variation in number of racemes per plant.Item PestDisPlace transforms pest and disease monitoring with collaborative (or community) surveillance and genomic analysis(Case Study, 2025-05-08) Cuellar, Wilmer; Rodriguez, Rafael.The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT-developed platform, PestDisPlace, is transforming pest and disease monitoring by providing real-time community tracking and genomic analysis, enabling rapid-response strategies in the Global South. PestDisPlace has helped successfully track Cassava Witches’ Broom Disease (CWBD) outbreaks in Brazil and French Guiana and is currently used in Ecuador to for preemtive monitoring and early warning of Fusarium TR4. These devastating diseases pose high phytosanitary risks and exacerbate food insecurity. PestDisPlace has informed policy, improved early warning systems, and contributed to climate-driven pest research, and agricultural workers’ capacities, which are being applied for more effective disease management.Item Manejo estratégico de Urochloa humidicola (Pasto Humidícola) para la optimización de sistemas ganaderos de la Orinoquía colombiana. Manual Técnico - Volumen 2(Manual, 2025-05) Bastidas, Mike; Ospina, Luciano; Aguiar, André; Márquez, Manuel; Idupulapati, Rao; Montoya, Alejandro; Jiménez, Juliana; Jaramillo, Gabriel; Yedra, Anny; Rivas, Isabela; Arango, JacoboLa región de la Orinoquía en Colombia, que se destaca por su producción ganadera, enfrenta desafíos significativos debido a prácticas de manejo inadecuadas y a la degradación del suelo. Este manual ofrece una guía integral para la gestión estratégica de Urochloa humidicola (pasto Humidícola o Tully – CIAT 679), con el objetivo de optimizar la productividad y sostenibilidad de los sistemas ganaderos en esta región. La gestión eficiente de U. humidicola, ejemplificada en el caso exitoso de la Hacienda San José en Vichada, abarca prácticas innovadoras y detalladas para la planificación y manejo de pasturas. Esto incluye la adecuación de infraestructura ganadera, como caminos, corrales y cercas eléctricas; y la implementación de sistemas rotacionales. Estas estrategias permiten maximizar la eficiencia operativa y asegurar la salud y el bienestar del ganado, garantizando un acceso constante a agua fresca a través de un acueducto ganadero bien diseñado. El manejo estratégico del pastoreo es fundamental para mantener la salud de las pasturas y la productividad del ganado. Este manual introduce un modelo de cálculo de capacidad de carga basado en la altura y la cobertura del pasto, permitiendo ajustar dinámicamente la carga animal para mantener una capacidad sostenible de aproximadamente 1 unidad gran ganado (UGG) por hectárea durante todo el año1. La técnica de rotación de potreros y el manejo diferido de pasturas durante las estaciones secas aseguran un uso óptimo del forraje disponible, mejorando tanto la calidad del pasto como la salud del suelo. Este manual proporciona una hoja de ruta detallada para transformar la ganadería en la Orinoquía (sobretodo en la altillanura), promoviendo prácticas que no solo aumentan la productividad y los ingresos de los ganaderos, sino que también aseguran la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de los recursos naturales. La experiencia de la Hacienda San José sirve como un modelo replicable y demuestra la viabilidad y los beneficios tangibles de estas prácticas en la región.Item Biotechnical, economic, and environmental assessment of dairy systems in the Peruvian Amazon utilizing the CLEANED tool(Journal Article, 2025-01-22) Irigoin, Victor; Pizarro, Dante; Fuentes, Eduardo; García, Carlos; Wattiaux, Michel; Picasso, Valentín; Arango, Jacobo; Romero, Gelver; Gómez-Bravo, CarlosSilvopastoral systems have been proposed as a sustainable alternative for climate change mitigation, but quantitative information comparing with other systems is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the biotechnical, economic, and environmental impacts of conventional dairy production systems (CPS) and silvopastoral systems (SPS) in San Martin, Peru, using the CLEANED modeling tool. Notably, CLEANED does not explicitly model tree presence on farms. However, after downloading the tool, it was possible to model and precompute each farm’s characteristics based on input data, considering the exploitation mode outside the tool’s standard scope. This adaptation represents a significant contribution, showcasing how CLEANED can be tailored to evaluate SPS effectively. The analysis focused on methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, water use per kg of product, changes in carbon storage, and economic performance. Silvopastoral systems had 3.63 kg CO2-eq/kg fat and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) lower emissions for CH4, 0.28 kg CO2 eq/kg FPCM lower for N2O, reduced water consumption (24 m3/kg protein produced) (P < 0.05), and higher carbon storage (3.48 t CO2-eq/ha/year) (P < 0.05) than CPS. Conventional systems derived 85% of income from milk sales, while SPS generated 70% from milk, with additional income from live animal sales (20%), wood (6%), firewood (3%), and other activities (1%). Silvopastoral systems were more profitable ($493/farm/month) than CPS ($247/farm/month). The study concluded that SPS are more sustainable due to better water use efficiency, higher profitability, and lower GHG emissions, recommending their broader adoption to increase profits and reduce environmental impacts.