Alliance Bioversity CIAT Conference Papers, Abstracts, and Proceedings

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CGIAR Report to the Twentieth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(Report, 2025-02-03) CGIAR
This report was prepared by CGIAR in response to an invitation from the Secretariat of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It is structured to correspond, in general, to agenda items 2-10 of the Twentieth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-20). Some sections of this report were previously included in the CGIAR submission to the Twelfth Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources (ITWG-PGRFA-12), in December 2024.
Innovative agroecology practices improve maize and bean yields in nutrient-deficient sandy soils of Makueni, Kenya
(Abstract, 2024-09-18) Bolo, Peter; Korir, Hezekiah; Adoyo, Beatrice; Kuria, Anne; Fuchs, Lisa Elena
Agroecology has been highlighted as a sustainable approach with the potential to support food system transformation in both low and middle-income countries. Its potential to improve soil and crop productivity is unmatched. Implementation of innovative agroecology practices is key in promoting soil quality and health, improving agrobiodiversity and enhancing crop productivity. We assessed the influences of select agroecology practices on maize and bean crop performance in nutrient deficient sandy soils in Makueni County, Kenya. The study was conducted on 30 resource-constrained smallholder farms during the short rains season of the year 2023. The innovative agroecology practices tested involved; i) use of biopesticides (IPM); ii) terracing, and iii) use of organic inputs (manure). The three agroecology practices geared towards pest (IPM), water (terraces) and soil (manure) management. We present the results of one cropping season. Preliminary results show that agroecological practices involving combined use of biopesticides and organic inputs increased maize and bean yields relative to the rest of the practices. Across the three agroecology practices implemented, maize yields increased by at least 40 kilograms. Relative to control plots, maize yields increased by 109, 78 and 40 kilograms per acre respectively under terraces, manure and IPM practices, respectively. This was consistent to monetary gains averaging USD$ 50.26, 63.14 and 18.28 per acre in one season under terraces, manure and IPM, respectively. Similarly, increased by 20.7, 33.3 and 19.8 kilograms per acre per season, respectively under IPM, Manure and terraces. These were equivalent to monetary gains of USD$ 25.48, 40.98 and 24.37, respectively under IPM, manure and terraces. These results provide preliminary evidence to support the promotion of agroecological practices among farmers and policy makers. In addition, the outcomes indicate that agroecological practices are effective in boosting crop performance, underpinning the possibility to attain improved productivity and sustainability through integration of agroecology practices. Finally, farmers can effectively and cheaply manage crop pests through the use of biopesticides that reduces dependence on harmful and expensive chemical pesticides.
Examining food environments in Sri Lanka: Gaps in research and implications for diet and health
(Abstract, 2024-12-03) Perera, Thushanthi; Sanjeewani, Madusha; Silva, Renuka; Hunter, Danny; Borelli, Teresa; Mendonce, Sharon
Funded by the CGIAR Initiave on Fruits and Vegetables for Sustainable Healthy Diets (FRESH) this review provides an in-depth analysis of food environments aiming to enhance an understanding of their characteristics and interactions, with a particular focus on F&V supply and demand. F&V are critical for addressing malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the rising non-communicable diseases burden. The review concentrates on publications (n-30) related to food environments in Sri Lanka including their characterization, components, regulations, and enabling factors.
From Afterthought to Forefront: Transforming Agricultural Resilience through CoDesigned Socio-Technical Innovations
(Conference Paper, 2024-09) Cosmas Kweyu Lutomia; Dessalegn Molla Ketema; Eileen Bogweh Nchanji
Although social innovations are recognized as important to enabling technology use, when implemented, they are often considered as an afterthought or rarely co-designed with beneficiaries. The study used data collected from 783 farmers in three counties of Kenya to assess effectiveness co-designed socio-technical innovation bundles (conservation agriculture practices and inclusive, gender-sensitive, and policy-supported innovations) in enhancing climate resilience and productivity. Results indicate significantly higher resilience capacities among users of sociotechnical innovation bundles than non-users. Significant differences in agricultural output were reported, with users demonstrating higher productivity in maize (545 kg/acre vs. 398 kg/acre) and beans (237 kg/acre vs 187 kg/acre) under climate change. The effect of bundles on productivity was higher when co-designed for both crops – maize (556 kg/acre vs 520 kg/acre) and beans (240 kg/acre vs. 231 kg/acre). However, no significant differences were reported regarding the effect of co-designed socio-technical innovation bundles on farming households’ capacity to obtain support from community/local groups in times of climate-related shocks. These findings underscore the importance of co-designing and integrating socio-technical innovations into agricultural programs.
Tank cascade system: A nature-based solution for achieving climate resilience in Sri Lanka’s dry zone
(Conference Paper, 2024-10-31) Ratnayake, Sujith S.; Mendonce, Sharon; Borelli, Teresa; Hunter, Danny; Silva, Ajith; Dissanayake, Thushani
The Tank Cascade System (TCS) is an ancient, man-made rainwater harvesting and irrigation system unique to Sri Lanka’s dry zone. An ecosystem in itself, the TCS consists of an intricate network of small to large ‘tanks’ positioned along a gradient and connected through a series of canals. Within the system, paddy fields and dense forests coexist providing habitats for socio-ecologically significant species. Historically, the system has been crucial in drought and flood mitigation. Furthermore, fully functioning TCSs harvest copious amounts of rainwater, which is primarily used for irrigation to enable year-round crop production by the farming communities of the cascade landscape. The system’s important role in food security, rural livelihoods and local culture led to its designation as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System in 2017. Despite the TCS’s significance, the system has been deteriorating, and its sustainability is threatened by widespread tank neglect, rapid land use changes and biodiversity loss –the impacts of which are exacerbated by the effects of climate variability. There is national interest in safeguarding the TCS, though. The system has been recognized in Sri Lanka’s 2016-2025 National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change Impacts and within the 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions as an important Nature-based Solution (NbS) for strengthening national climate resilience. However, there is little evidence of this national support translating into on the ground action and of effective solutions to the challenges threatening TCS sustainability. This case study aims to fill these evidence gaps by sharing findings from research and project activities carried out under the Healthy Landscapes project. With a special focus on mainstreaming biodiversity and strengthening cascade ecology, the project rehabilitated and promoted the sustainable management of the TCS. This case study will highlight pathways for TCS rehabilitation to strengthen its function as a NbS, including associated challenges and further opportunities. As the cascade landscape community plays an important role in climate adaptation and resilience within the country's dry zone, we also emphasize the importance of investigating their perceptions of current national policy and formulating localized adaptation strategies that benefit climate resilience, food security and rural livelihoods.
The impact of translocation mechanisms and plant architecture on the success or failure of propagation, a thidiazuron case study
(Abstract, 2024-04-22) Wilms, Hannes; Panis, Bartholomeus
While developing a propagation method for coconut (Cocos nucifera), we observed that the addition of thidiazuron (TDZ), a phenylurea based cytokinin, to the medium, did not elicit a reaction. We hypothesized that the apical dominance was too strong, preventing the TDZ from initiating shoot proliferation. To test this, we broke the apical dominance by cutting the plantlets vertically in two, removing the apical meristem from one piece. Both pieces were then placed in a medium containing TDZ. While this resulted in proliferation, more questions arose as it was the apical meristem that reacted. In other plants such as banana, this cut was not necessary, as there the axillary meristems on the outside of the explant proliferated. These observations lead us to hypothesize that TDZ might not be translocated through the plant the same way as adenine type cytokinins. To test this hypothesis, we placed a stem cutting of cactus fig containing many meristem along the stem, vertically in a medium containing BAP or TDZ. In the BAP medium this resulted in shoot formation of meristems on top of the plant, whilst in the case of the TDZ medium, the shoot formation originated from meristems submerged in the medium. With these observations, we can conclude that not all cytokinins are translocated in the same way. When developing proliferation protocols, both plant architecture and translocation of the PGR thus need to be taken into account, as these parameters can determine success or failure
Aspiration adaptation, poverty, and agricultural management: An agent-based modelling study
(Conference Paper, 2024-07-21) Teeuwen, Aleid Sunniva; Dou, Yue; Meyer, Markus A.; Mekonnen, Daniel Ayalew; Teferi, Ermias Tesfaye; Wassie, Solomon Bizayehu; Nelson, Andrew
A multi-platform framework for nowcasting social phenomena: A case study for food insecurity
(Conference Paper, 2024-07) Carneiro, Bia; Resce, Giuliano; Tucci, Giulia; Ruscica, Giosue; Caravaggio, Nicola; Fanelli, Laura; Santangelo, Agapito Emanuele; Cruciata, Pietro
Given the growing significance of internet-based information flows, this research proposes a conceptual framework that integrates digital platforms to nowcast social phenomena, applied to the context of food security monitoring in the Global South. Building on the foundations of Digital Methods and online issue mapping, our research objective is to establish a multi-modal, multi-media model that monitors events from different perspectives to identify potential early warning signals arising from the data, ultimately informing policy actors and supporting early action. We apply three analytical processes: social listening, media monitoring and search interest analysis. Exploratory analysis on data from Zimbabwe point to the feasibility of the models applied to identify food security dimensions in text and search engine data. Further analysis is needed to interpret converging and diverging trends across the data streams, and their implications to food insecurity early warning.
Nowcasting food insecurity interest with google trends data
(Conference Paper, 2024-07-15) Caravaggio, Nicola; Carneiro, Bia; Resce, Giuliano
This research explores the potential of Google Trends (GT) data as a tool for generating a daily index of food insecurity at the national level, focusing on regions monitored by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) and the Global Fragility Act (GFA). Drawing inspiration from previous studies on GT's predictive capabilities, the authors employ Natural Language Processing (NLP) to analyse food security reporting from FEWS NET documents. We identify key predictors of food insecurity using a LASSO regression approach and construct a daily economic sentiment index (DESI) for each country. Unlike traditional methods, the study considers multiple languages and weights search terms based on LASSO coefficients. The resulting Synthetic Search Interest (SSI) index for food insecurity demonstrates a statistically significant correlation with FAO's share of the population in severe food insecurity, affirming GT's potential as a monitoring tool. The research contributes a novel methodology and insights into leveraging real-time data for early warnings in food security.
Proceedings of the National Workshop on Experience Sharing in Landscape Restoration Research implemented by Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) in Ethiopia
(Conference Proceedings, 2024-07-10) Adimassu, Zenebe; Belay, Berhanu; Tamene, Lulseged D.; Tibebe, Degefie; Abera, Wuletawu
Ethiopian public universities and research organizations are actively engaging in landscape restoration efforts to fulfill their community engagement responsibilities. However, challenges exist as restoration practices are not coordinated, data collection and monitoring are inconsistent, and research findings are not effectively shared or documented. There is a lack of advocacy for landscape restoration among stakeholders, necessitating the establishment of a platform for knowledge exchange. The Alliance of Bioversity International, CIAT, and AICCRA organized a workshop to facilitate experience sharing among higher learning institutions, aiming to synergize efforts and scale up successful practices to contribute to national restoration initiatives. Ethiopian higher learning institutions have made significant progress in land restoration projects, showcasing their commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity enhancement. The preliminary results and achievements highlighted during the workshop demonstrate the impactful work being done by these institutions. By analyzing and publishing these results, valuable insights can be shared with end users, contributing to broader knowledge dissemination and potentially inspiring further landscape restoration initiatives in the country. Landscape restoration in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Ethiopia presents a unique opportunity to address environmental challenges while enhancing educational experiences. In Ethiopia, HLIs can play a pivotal role in restoring degraded landscapes, conserving biodiversity, and promoting sustainable land management practices. By integrating native plant species, water-efficient landscaping, and eco-friendly infrastructure development, these institutions can create green spaces that serve as outdoor classrooms for students and research hubs for faculty. Engaging the community in restoration initiatives can also foster environmental awareness and contribute to broader conservation efforts in the country. Overall, landscape restoration in Ethiopian HLIs offers a holistic approach to environmental stewardship, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the academic community and beyond.
Exploring school food provision programs and links to local foods in Pacific Island countries
(Abstract, 2024-04-01) Perry, J.; Horsey, B.; Raneri, Jessica; Hunter, Danny; O’Connor, S.; Hyland-Wood, M.; Casey, E.; Burkhart, S.
Providing access to food in schools can serve as a platform for food system transformation, while simultaneously improving educational outcomes and livelihoods. Locally grown and procured food is a nutritious, healthy, and efficient way to provide schoolchildren with a daily meal while, at the same time, improving opportunities for smallholder farmers (1) . While there is significant potential for school food provision activities to support healthy dietary behaviours in the Pacific Islands region, there is limited evidence of these types of activities (2) , including scope and links to local food production in the region. Therefore, the aim of this scoping study was to understand the current state of school food activities (school feeding, gardening and other food provision activities) and any current, and potential links to local agriculture in the Pacific Islands. A regional mapping activity was undertaken, initially covering 22 Pacific Island countries. The mapping included two steps: 1) a desk based scoping review including peer-reviewed and grey literature (2007-2022) and 2) One-hour semi-structured online Zoom interviews with key country stakeholders. Twelve sources were identified, predominately grey literature (n = 9). Thirty interviews were completed with at least 1 key stakeholder from 15 countries. A variety of school food provision activities were identified, including school feeding programs (n = 16, of varying scale), programs covering both school feeding and school gardens (n = 2), school garden programs (n = 12), and other school food provision activities (n = 4, including taste/sensory education, food waste reduction, increasing canteen capacity for local foods, supply chain distribution between local agriculture and schools). Existing links to local agriculture varied for the different programs. Of the 16 school feeding programs, 8 had a requirement for the use of local produce (policy requirement n = 6, traditional requirement from leaders n = 2). Of the 12 school garden programs, 6 used local or traditional produce in the garden and 5 involved local farmers in varying capacities. Challenges to linking local agriculture into school food provision programs were reported for 17 activities and were context dependent. Common challenges included limited funding, inflation, Covid-19, inadequate produce supply for the scale of program, limited farmer capacity, limited institutional support for local produce, low produce storage life, climatic conditions and disasters, water security, delayed procurement process, and limited professional development and upskilling opportunities. Modernisation and colonisation of food systems resulting in a preference for hyperpalatable foods and challenges in incorporating local produce in a way that is accepted by students was also identified as a challenge. This evidence can be used to develop a pathway to piloting and implementing models of school food provision programs and promoting opportunities for shared learning and collaboration with key stakeholders across the Pacific Islands region.
GeoTree: A participatory digital tool for forest landscape restoration in the tropics
(Conference Paper, 2023-09) Eitzinger, Anton; Feil, Christian; Ekue, Marius; Oduor, Francis; Kettle, Christopher
Forest landscape restoration (FLR) in the tropics is often undertaken by smallholders and communities whose livelihoods rely on agriculture and forestry. While digital technologies can improve efficiency in FLR efforts, socio-technical barriers often impede the participation of these key actors in the restoration process. The main barriers are lack of technical infrastructure, access to digital tools and services, lack of ease of use for non-tech-savvy farmers, and lack of design targeted for low-literate and marginal groups. Moreover, precisely because of the transformative momentum of digitalization, there is a risk for smallholders to enter the digital divide and power asymmetry gap. The platform has been piloted in Kenya and Cameroon and tracks and monitors activities along the entire restoration chain, from seed collection to on-farm tree planting and monitoring of management activities and payouts to farmers. GeoTree offers participatory functionalities, including interactive forms, polls, geospatial features and maps, and community-driven data collection, which can be integrated into community channels. While other digital tools focus on monitoring tree planting for the purpose of carbon offsetting, GeoTree addresses the digital barriers facing smallholders and communities and enables them to participate fully in FLR efforts. GeoTree leverages blockchain technology to provide an integrated planting management process. The system allows gathering ground-level data with offline encryption and supporting low-internet environments and tracing the restoration process to provide transparency, facilitate real-time monitoring, evaluation, and verification, and support mobilization of sponsors.
CGIAR report concerning Centers' implementation of their Article 15 Agreements: for the 9th Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(Conference Paper, 2022-09-01) Halewood, Michael; Lopez Noriega, Isabel
This CGIAR report concerning centers' implementation of their Article 15 agreements was presented to the 9th session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty), in 2022
Supporting vegetable agrobiodiversity for better food and nutrition diversity: Insights from ethnic minority communities in Northern Vietnam
(Abstract, 2023-09-18) Phuong, Thi Nguyen; Swaans, Cornelis P.M.; Hoang, The Ky; Struik, Paul; Stomph, Tjeerd-Jan
10th International Conference on Agriculture 2023 (AGRICO 2023), in Bali, Indonesia, from 18-19 September 2023. Oral presentation titled “Supporting vegetable agrobiodiversity for better food and nutrition diversity: Insights from ethnic minority communities in Northern Vietnam”.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of the dual-purpose cattle value chain in the Colombian Amazon
(Conference Paper, 2023-05-19) Lienert, Anja; Burkart, Stefan
The cattle sector plays an important role in the economy of the Caquetá department, located in the Colombian Amazon. However, the predominantly extensive production system is associated with low productivity and negative environmental impacts, such as land degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and deforestation. Efforts to introduce improved practices (e.g., improved forages or silvopastoral systems) have been made over the last decades, but adoption rates remain low. Though several studies have analyzed the cattle value chain (VC) to enhance the understanding of adoption barriers, the heterogeneity of farmers has been considered only marginally when trying to explain their adoption behavior. To narrow this knowledge gap, a VC analysis was carried out in March 2022, using semistructured interviews with key informants. Four types of cattle farmers were identified to operate along a gradient reaching from the Andean foothill in the department’s northwest to the deforestation frontier in the southeast. While specialized and dual-purpose milk farms are located close to the foothill, dual-purpose cheese and cattle fattening farms operate closer to the deforestation frontier. The associated spatio-temporal dynamics seem to be associated with differences in infrastructure, access to inputs and services, and the presence of armed groups. The observed enabling environment gradient is important for a more context-specific design of policies and interventions aimed at supporting the adoption of sustainably intensified cattle production systems, while needs and preferences of the heterogenous farmer groups should be further researched.
Genotype-By-Environment Interaction in interspecific Urochloa hybrids using factor analytic models
(Conference Paper, 2023-05-19) Jauregui, Rosa; Hernández, Luis Miguel; Aparicio, Johan Steven; Mazabel, Johanna; Cardoso Arango, Juan Andrés; Atencio-Solano, Liliana M.; Mejía Kerguelén, Sergio L.; Castiblanco, Valheria; Peters, Michael
Impact of the Brachiaria hybrids on both soil health and carbon stock on livestock production
(Conference Paper, 2023-05-19) Silva, Adriano; Madeira, T.; Florian, David; Pizarro, E.; Jauregui, Rosa; Lobato, G.; Santi, A.; Fagundes, D.; Pinheiro, F.; Rieger, A.; Cagliari, A.
Public policies for the development of a sustainable, forage-based cattle sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica: A comparative analysis
(Conference Paper, 2023-05-19) Burkart, Stefan; Díaz, Manuel Francisco; Moreno Lerma, Leonardo
Projected increases in global food demand highlight the importance of Latin America as one of the major future food suppliers, particularly regarding animal-source foods such as beef or milk. Despite the importance of the cattle sector for the region, its negative environmental impacts are numerous and the shift towards sustainability is perceived as slow and uncoordinated. This study aims to identify achievements and difficulties in the implementation of public policies for a sustainable cattle sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica, for which policies focused on the use of silvo-pastoral systems and forage-based solutions are prioritized. Based on the review of scientific articles, government reports, and publications of international organizations, a comparative qualitative analysis was carried out, documenting the policy developments between 2010-2020. For the three countries, the findings highlight a large number of public policies focused on the implementation of silvo-pastoral systems, both at the local and national levels. At the same time, the efforts of the governments to include such strategies in the National Development Plans and stimulate legislative advances are evident. However, they also coincide in difficulties, such as the disconnection and lack of continuity between policies, unclear budgets for their financing, and little socialization within the communities. Another obstacle to the success of public policies is the way in which they are perceived by producers, who on many occasions refuse to make the transition from conventional to sustainable methods, considering that it implies the availability of economic resources, knowledge, and training that are difficult to access. The results also indicate that, despite the initiatives developed over the last ten years, problems such as deforestation and increasing greenhouse gas emissions persist in the three countries, although to different extents and at different levels. It is concluded that the policy efforts for the implementation of silvo-pastoral systems should be seen as initial steps in a longterm process towards achieving a sustainable cattle sector. Recommendations are provided that could help increase the success of these and new policies at different stages, from the identification of the problem to their evaluation, particularly given the difficulties of financing, disconnection, and participation of citizens and producers.
Economic benefits of sustainable, forage-based cattle systems in Colombia and Nicaragua
(Conference Paper, 2023-05-19) Burkart, Stefan; Enciso, Karen; Díaz, Manuel Francisco; van der Hoek, Rein
Forage-based cattle systems play a key role in rural economies of developing countries in terms of food security and poverty alleviation, particularly in tropical Latin America. However, they are often related to being a major cause of negative environmental impacts by contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and the reduction of biodiversity. Significant resources have been allocated to research and development in forage material improvement, including selection and breeding. A broad range of improved materials were released by private and public sector actors showing superior characteristics in terms of productivity and environmental impacts compared to native or naturalized materials. Profitability is a fundamental attribute to incentivize or generate adoption of new systems by cattle producers, but this information is often not available to the livestock producer or the extension agents supporting decision-making processes. This research provides an overview on the economic viability of integrating different improved forage varieties in sustainably intensified cattle production systems in Colombia and Nicaragua. Our evaluations show that, despite higher establishment and management costs, integrating improved forage technologies (and management practices) in sustainably intensified cattle systems, either as monoculture, grass-legume associations, silvo-pastoral systems, or in combination with improved management strategies (e.g., intensive, or rotational grazing), not only make sense from the environmental and productive perspectives but also in terms of economic viability. In nearly all evaluated scenarios, the economic indicators improve by integrating improved forage technologies. Strong increases were observed for the following indicators: a) net income, b) unit profit margin, c) Net Present Value, d) Internal Rate of Return, and f) benefit-cost ratio. Strong decreases were observed for the following indicators: a) unit production cost, b) risk of obtaining economic loss, c) payback time, d) minimum area required for a profitable system, and e) sensitivity of the system to external shocks. This information will help cattle producers, extensionists and policymakers to make more holistic and informed land-use decisions that include productive, environmental, economic, and social benefits, and by this contributes to the broader adoption of more sustainable production systems.
Environmental co-benefits of improved forages in smallholder dairy systems of Kenya
(Conference Paper, 2023-05-19) Notenbaert, An Maria Omer; Mwendia, Solomon W.; Burkart, Stefan; Karimi, Peggy; Musau, Emmanuel Mwema
Livestock play a major role across Kenya, especially in smallholder mixed farms through provision of household nutrition and income through milk and meat. Equally, fertilization of cropland benefits from livestock manure, and livestock often act as insurance and saving. Despite the opportunities and benefits livestock production presents, livestock systems are also key drivers of environmental degradation, including increased nutrient loads, GHG emissions, water use, grassland degradation and land-use conversion. Low livestock productivity, largely due to use of low-quality crop residues and natural grasses often not endowed with nutrients key for animal performance, limits the potential positive contributions of livestock and at the same time reduces the efficiency of natural resource use. In response to this and with smallholder dairy farmers’ participation, we undertook an evaluation of 5 selected improved cultivated forages from Urochloa and Megathyrsus genus as an alternative to the Napier grass commonly grown by farmers. We evaluated impact on livestock productivity, farmers’ income, land and water requirement, soil erosion, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions. We observed more efficient use of farmers’ lands and financial resources through integrating improved forages and optimization of feeding strategies. We have also shown that the production and use of improved forages can act as a good climate change mitigation option.

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