Alliance Research Lever 5: Digital Inclusion

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/107453

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The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Annual Report 2022: People at the heart of food systems
(Annual Report, 2023) Bioversity International; International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Discover research, case studies, and highlights encapsulating the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT's mission to transform people's lives during a climate crisis. Highlights span: Land, Crops, Food, and Markets.
Accuracy of farmer-generated yield estimations of common bean in decentralised on-farm trials in sub–Saharan Africa
(Journal Article, 2025-06-06) Nabateregga, Mabel; Dorado-Betancourt, Hugo; Ø Solberg, Svein; Van Etten Etten, Jacob; van Heerwaarden, Joost; Gregory, Theresia; De Sousa, Kaue
Improving agricultural productivity and resilience is essential to meet future food needs in sub-Saharan Africa under changing climate conditions. Achieving this will necessitate the development of high-yielding locally adapted crop varieties to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Despite advancements in crop improvement, varietal turnover in smallholder farms remains notably low. Continuous turnover of locally adapted varieties is essential, necessitating active dissemination of new varieties and withdrawal of obsolete ones across diverse target populations using participatory breeding approaches. A decentralised experimental approach, known as tricot, supported by citizen science, has proven effective in accelerating genotype selection while promoting inclusivity and diversity. However, the methodology has strongly relied on farmer-generated rankings, which provide relative performance insights but fall short in informing breeders with absolute yield data, limiting the ability to measure genetic gain or assess economic returns on breeding investments. To address this gap, we validated the accuracy of farmer-generated yield data for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), by comparing it with technician-generated volumes and researcher-generated absolute yield data. Results revealed strong cor relations between farmer and technician volumes (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). The mean difference in farmer-technician log-yield was close to zero, indicating significant agreement. We further developed a predictive model to estimate absolute yields using farmer showing minimal influence from intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Our findings demonstrate that farmer-generated yield data can reliably inform breeding decisions and support the accelerated turnover of improved varieties. Integrating such data into breeding programs offers a cost-effective and scalable pathway to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability across smallholder systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
Farmer selection of drought‐tolerant enset landraces reduces trait diversity in drier environments
(Journal Article, 2025-05-19) Chase, Rachel; Borrell, James S.; Rodenburg, Jonne; Roux, Nicolas; Wendawek, Abebe; Büchi, Lucie
Increasing drought stress driven by climate change presents a significant challenge to global food security, requiring crop adaptations. Indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices in drought‐prone agricultural systems may offer effective climate adaptation strategies. This study investigates the functional traits associated with the reported drought tolerance of enset ( Ensete ventricosum ), a multipurpose Ethiopian staple crop providing food security to more than 20 million people. Through field surveys and farmer interviews along three aridity gradients in southwest Ethiopia, we determined how domestication and farmer cultivation choices have shaped enset trait and landrace diversity. We measured 12 morphological and physiological traits of 430 cultivated enset plants on farms and a subset of traits of 30 wild enset plants. We also conducted interviews on farmers' knowledge of drought and enset, and how it influenced their choice of landraces. We showed that domestication reduced trait variance in cultivated enset and lowered landrace diversity in drier environments. Farmers in drier areas chose landraces with drought tolerance traits, resulting in trait differentiation between wetter and drier farms. Cultivated enset exhibited lower stomatal density and a narrower aridity niche compared to wild enset, suggesting adaptation to reduce water loss. We also found increased leaf wax coverage, leaf number, leaf temperature differential and plant height growth rate and reduced stomatal conductance on drier farms. Our findings are globally relevant, highlighting that climate adaptation and farmer selection may reduce trait and genetic diversity in drier environments, potentially resulting in less adaptative capacity under climate change.
Integration of national Ag-Data Hubs with advisory platforms expands reach and services for over 250,000 farmers
(Case Study, 2025-05-26) Grossi, Amanda; Ghosh, Aniruddha
Through technical expertise and partnership, national climate and agricultural data hubs (Ag-Data Hubs) have been launched in 6 sub-Saharan countries. These hubs have been subsequently integrated with agro-advisory platforms and processes in Kenya and Senegal, expanding reach of forecasts at scale, and spurring new and bundled services for more than 250,000 farmers to support climate-sensitive decision making. These services include location-specific advisory services, crop monitoring, and market advisories, available in various formats through multiple technology channels.
Citizen science fast-tracks crop technologies to boost 3 million farm households’ resilience and livelihoods
(Case Study, 2025-06-02) Mengistu, Dejene; Hailemariam, Bogale Nigir; Melaku, Mulugeta Tilahun; Kidane, Yosef Gebrehawaryat; Fadda, Carlo
Since 2014, ex-Bioversity International's (now the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT) Seeds for Needs program has evaluated, selected, and disseminated over 50 varieties of major crops to over three million Ethiopian farmers. Using participatory varietal selection and crowdsourcing, the program has empowered farmers, spanning over 1.5 million hectares, with 20‒60% productivity increases, strengthened resilience, and improved food and nutrition security. The program has also increased the varietal portfolio three- to six-fold, while reducing reliance on agrochemicals. Over 31% of direct beneficiaries have been women.
Review of tricot principles and data analysis workflows
(Presentation, 2025-05-15) De Sousa, Kaue; Laporte, Marie-Angelique; Van Etten, Jacob
Open traceability tool for EUDR compliance through co-designed digital infrastructure adopted by Honduran coffee farmers
(Case Study, 2025-05-15) Ceballos Sierra, Federico
TraceFoodChain.org is an open-access traceability tool for EUDR compliance, developed by Permarobotics based on a digital infrastructure blueprint co-created with stakeholders of the Honduran coffee value chain. Facilitated by the Alliance, the three-month prototyping process defined key elements for interoperability, data ownership, and confidentiality. With a potential adoption by IHCAFE and ICF as a national standard, this blueprint could benefit up to 120,000 farmers and foster pre-competitive collaboration, enabling transparent and verifiable compliance with EUDR through integrated digital solutions. 
Empowering Ghanaian communities to conserve their forests through a private-sector-led payment for ecosystem services mechanism
(Case Study, 2025-05-12) Nguyen, Phuong Minh; Talsma, Tiffany; Reymondin, Louis; Vantalon, Thibaud; Molina, Luis; Kyeretwie, Bram Nana Safo; Adzi, George Bush; Nguyen Perperidis, Emily
The Landscapes for Cocoa Livelihoods project reduced deforestation by 71% over 1,044 hectares in Ghana's Tano Offin Forest Reserve, conserving 6,911 tons of CO2 equivalent, 65,303 m³ of water recharge, and 39 hectares of biodiverse landscape over a period of 1 year (July 1st 2023 – June 30th 2024). This project demonstrates the scaling potential of a private-sector-funded Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model, where cacao-producing communities conserve the forest in exchange for collective rewards that improve every household’s living conditions.
Citizen science informs demand-driven breeding of opportunity crops
(Journal Article, 2025-05-13) Voss, Rachel C.; De Sousa, Kaue; N'Danikou, Sognigbé; Shango, Abdul; Aglinglo, Lys Amavi; Laporte, Marie-Angelique; Legba, Eric C.; Houdegbe, Aristide Carlos; Diarra, Danfing dit Youssouf; Dolo, Aminata; Sidibe, Amadou; Ouedraogo, Colette Ouidyam; Coulibaly, Harouna; Achigan-Dako, Enoch G.; Kileo, Aishi; Malulu, Dickson; Matumbo, Zamira; Dinssa, Fekadu; van Heerwaarden, Joost; Van Etten, Jacob; Riar, Amritbir; van Zonneveld, Maarten
From genebanks to farms: How citizen science is transforming crop variety evaluation through the tricot approach
(Presentation, 2025-04-23) De Sousa, Kaue
MyFarmTrees: 6000 empowered Kenyan and Cameroonian farmers restoring 2800 hectares, expanding towards global scale-up
(Case Study, 2025-05-05) Chiriboga Arroyo, Fidel; Eitzinger, Anton; Ekue, Marius; Elias, Marlene; Feil, Christian; Guettou Djurfeldt, Nadia; Jalonen, Riina; Krishnan, Smitha; Oduor, Francis; Vinceti, Barbara; Kettle, Christopher
The MyFarmTrees (MFT) digital MRV platform combines mobile applications for capacity building, restoration monitoring, and digital payments. Developed through community-driven iterations in Kenya and Cameroon, MyFarmTrees has transformed tree growing and supported a network of >300 local tree nursery enterprises. MyFarmTrees users track seed collection, seedling production and tree establishment. Empowered by the platform, close to 6000 farmers have participated in the forest-landscape restoration activities using native species, and >400 stakeholders, including farmers and nursery owners, have received digital economic incentives. MyFarmTrees scales across the Global South, attracting partnerships and investments.
Segunda fase de implementación de la plataforma Terra-i para el Valle del Cauca
(Report, 2023-12-20) Tapasco Alzate, Jeimar Alirio; Reymondin, Louis; Paz Garcia, Paula Andrea; Tello Dagua, Jhon Jairo; Perez Escobar, Jorge Andres; Enciso Arango, Angelica Maria; Phanith, Chou
Talleres de consolidación del conocimiento en el manejo de la herramienta de alertas tempranas y capacitación en el uso de la herramienta de cuantificación de área boscosa
A FAIR and project-oriented template for open science data workflows
(Template, 2025-04-15) De Sousa, Kaue; Laporte, Marie-Angelique
Terra-i, a Bioversity–CIAT-developed environmental monitoring tool supports reduced deforestation globally
(Case Study, 2025-04-07) Reymondin, Louis; Paz, Paula Andrea; Nguyen, Thuy; Tello, Jhon Jairo; Perez, Jorge Andres; Luong, Phuong
Terra-i has become crucial in proactive environmental management, offering near real-time deforestation alerts. Institutions gain precise data to drive conservation strategies by leveraging high-resolution sentinel imagery. Its expansion from Latin America to Africa and Asia countries underscores its scalability and adaptability. In countries where deforestation alerts have been implemented, such as Colombia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, calibrated and validated alerts support law enforcement, while global organizations use their insights for broader policy frameworks. Strengthening local capacities and fostering informed decision-making, Terra-i continues to shape sustainable land-use practices worldwide.
Scaling Agroclimatic Services: Reaching 810,000 farmers with Climate-Resilient Solutions across three Latin-American countries
(Case Study, 2025-04-01) Giraldo, Diana; Aye, Irma; Navarro, Carlos
Mainstreaming Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees (MTA, in Spanish) across Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico has significantly enhanced agroclimate information dissemination, directly benefiting 214,000 farmers and indirectly reaching around 600,000 farmers through channels such as radio broadcasts and digital platforms. Strengthened institutional frameworks and strategic partnerships have facilitated the co-production and delivery of actionable climate data, helping farmers with informed decision-making for implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices. Sustained funding and policy commitments further reinforce the long-term impact of these initiatives.
Post-composing ontology terms for efficient phenotyping in plant breeding
(Journal Article, 2025-03-21) Menda, Naama; Ellerbrock, Bryan J.; Simoes, Christiano C.; Karaikal, Srikanth Kumar; Nyaga, Christine; Flores-Gonzalez, Mirella; Tecle, Isaak Y.; Lyon, David; Agbona, Afolabi; Agre, Paterne A.; Peteti, Prasad; Akech, Violet; Asiimwe, Amos; Fauvelle, Eglantine; Meghar, Karima; Tran, Thierry; Dufour, Dominique; Cooper, Laurel; Laporte, Marie-Angelique; Arnaud, Elizabeth; Mueller, Lukas A
Ontologies are widely used in databases to standardize data, improving data quality, integration, and ease of comparison. Within ontologies tailored to diverse use cases, post-composing user-defined terms reconciles the demands for standardization on the one hand and flexibility on the other. In many instances of Breedbase, a digital ecosystem for plant breeding designed for genomic selection, the goal is to capture phenotypic data using highly curated and rigorous crop ontologies, while adapting to the specific requirements of plant breeders to record data quickly and efficiently. For example, post-composing enables users to tailor ontology terms to suit specific and granular use cases such as repeated measurements on different plant parts and special sample preparation techniques. To achieve this, we have implemented a post-composing tool based on orthogonal ontologies providing users with the ability to introduce additional levels of phenotyping granularity tailored to unique experimental designs. Post-composed terms are designed to be reused by all breeding programs within a Breedbase instance but are not exported to the crop reference ontologies. Breedbase users can post-compose terms across various categories, such as plant anatomy, treatments, temporal events, and breeding cycles, and, as a result, generate highly specific terms for more accurate phenotyping.
Kitui county leverages ADD-IT app for JICA-backed nutrition initiative and conducts dietary assessment across 322 households
(Case Study, 2025-03-26) Morimoto, Yasuyuki; Maundu, Patrick; Irie, Kenji; Kenjiro, Ban; Takemura, Tomo; Minakuchi, Kosuke
In January 2024, the Kitui County government of Kenya, supported by IFNA, AUDA-NEPAD, and JICA, adopted the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ)—a key feature of the Alliance's ADD-IT app. The pilot project aims to improve the nutritional status of children under two years old and their mothers. The dietary assessment was conducted across 322 households in two communities. County officials and 20 community health promoters (CHPs) identified dietary gaps to raise awareness of individualized challenges and guide evidence-based improved dietary practices.
Farmers’ preferences for the next generation of maize hybrids: application of product concept testing in Kenya and Uganda
(Journal Article, 2025-03-19) Donovan, Jason; Rutsaert, Pieter; Mawia, Harriet; De Sousa, Kaue; Van Etten, Jacob
Step-change innovation in seed product design by public sector crop breeding has led to major contributions to global food security. The literature, however, provides few insights on how to identify forward-looking innovation opportunities. Inspired by discussions in the product innovation literature, this article describes our application of product concept testing in the context of hybrid maize in Uganda and Kenya. We identified the following eight maize seed product concepts based on interactions with seed companies, crop breeders, and farmers: ‘Resilience’, ‘Drought escape’, ‘Food and fodder’, ‘Home use’, ‘Green maize’, ‘Livestock feed’, ‘Intercropping’, and ‘Family nutrition’. These were described and presented to 2400 farmers using videos, where each farmer saw three concept-presentation videos. Farmers were most likely to have selected the resilience (Kenya and Uganda), drought escape (Uganda), and intercropping (Kenya) concepts. Farmers showed mixed interest in other concepts, such as home use and food and fodder, suggesting that investments in product production and promotion would be required in addition to investments in breeding. These results provide new entry points for conversations among transdisciplinary teams at regional and national levels on the current and future opportunities for crop breeding to respond to farmers’ requirements for new seed products.
Evaluación y estimación de curvas de calibración de dispositivos para medir humedad de suelo
(Journal Article, 2024-01-09) Gonzalez De Leon, Aquileo Daniel; Sandoval Mejia, Luis Alberto; Arevalo Valderrama, Gloria Elizabeth; Gomez, Oriana Michelle; Caro, Brian Stiven
Las medidas de adaptación al cambio climático requieren de la toma de decisiones informadas. Sin embargo, la agricultura de pequeña escala muestra bajas tasas de adopción de tecnologías por su costo y falta de conectividad. Objetivo. Evaluar tres prototipos de dispositivos para agricultura de pequeña escala y de bajo costo para medir humedad de suelo en diferentes texturas, determinar las respectivas ecuaciones de calibración y los efectos de conductividad eléctrica y temperatura en la medida de humedad. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron tres prototipos de dispositivos de medición y registro de humedad de suelo, en suelos con diferencial en contenido de arcilla/arena y conductividad eléctrica en parcelas productivas de la Universidad Zamorano, en Honduras; y Finca demostrativa en Popayán, Colombia, durante el primer trimestre de 2022. Se tomaron como referencia sensores comerciales para la comparación del desempeño de los prototipos, mediante análisis de regresión de las lecturas por hora de los sensores durante 90 días. Se recolectaron las variables de conductividad eléctrica (dS/m) y temperatura para determinar la influencia en la precisión de la lectura de humedad. Resultados. Los dispositivos de medición y registro de humedad presentaron un mejor desempeño en suelos con menor contenido de arena. La medición de los dispositivos sobrestimó entre 0,19 y 0,52 puntos porcentuales la lectura de humedad por cada grado adicional de temperatura del suelo, y que por cada dS/m adicional de conductividad eléctrica la lectura se debe ajustar entre 8 y 55 puntos porcentuales. Conclusiones. El prototipo A fue el dispositivo más exacto, mientras que el prototipo B fue el más preciso, con respecto a los sensores comerciales. Los dispositivos de humedad presentaron un mejor desempeño en suelos con menor contenido de arena. Los tres modelos evaluados obtuvieron el mejor desempeño en suelo franco con contenido medio de arcilla.
Impact of agricultural credit on productivity, cost and returns from cocoa production in Ghana
(Journal Article, 2024-09-19) Boansi, David; Gyasi, Michael; Nuamah, Stephen; Tham-Agyekum, Enoch Kwame; Anyuki, Fred; Frimpong, Richmond; Gbafah, Albert; Gyan, Charles Bosompem
This study identified the determinants of cocoa farmers’ access to credit in Ghana and estimated the impact of credit access on yield, yield gap, gross income, cost of production, and net income using propensity score matching. A total of 384 cocoa-farming households were included in the analysis. Only 33.3% of cocoa farmers accessed credit for production and cooperative unions were the main source of credit accessed by the farmers. The study finds significant positive impacts of agricultural credit on yield, gross income, and net income, while yield gap decreases significantly (by 12.2–16.7%) with access to credit. Policy efforts to improve cocoa farmers’ access to credit could therefore enhance the productivity and profitability of cocoa production. It was found that male-headed households with access to credit derive greater benefits than their female counterparts. This may be attributed to differences in resource endowments and marginalization (between male and female heads). In addition, it was found that with access to credit, cultivating more than one cocoa farm could make cocoa production more productive and profitable. This indicates more efficient and profitable use of credit on fragmented farms, than on non-fragmented farms. However, under credit constraint, the practice of land fragmentation could be counterproductive.

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