Will Brazilian Millennials Look to a Future in the Fields?

January 18, 2018

The rural workforce in Brazil is getting younger, according to recent research. Meet the Gen-Y agripreneurs changing the face of farming in Brazil. By Raphael Marques da Silva, on behalf of HarvestPlus. The economic crisis in Brazil has chosen millennials–the most apt generation for building the future of the country–as its main victim. According to a … More Will Brazilian Millennials Look to a Future in the Fields?

GFAR kicks off reform of the Regional Research Forum, AARINENA

January 15, 2018

The challenge of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) demands collective action among the many stakeholders concerned with agriculture and food research and innovation — whether as farmers or consumers or among those working for international and national research and extension systems, NGOs, higher education, Private Sector, youth organizations and other sectors. Such diverse partners … More GFAR kicks off reform of the Regional Research Forum, AARINENA

Multi-functional Landscapes: What is the right approach?

January 11, 2018

Eric Patrick, adaptation specialist at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), presented a new innovative pilot programme in a TED-like ‘Landscape Talk’ at the Global Landscapes Forum in Bonn in December.  Patrick began with an analysis of three past water-harvesting projects that seemed to have failed. Fences to manage grazing were removed. Many of … More Multi-functional Landscapes: What is the right approach?

To transform agricultural extension, give youth a voice

January 10, 2018

At the recent Africa Agriculture Extension week in Durban, there was a common refrain: “Demand for food in Africa is growing and expected to double by 2050.” This is why we see continued growth and employment opportunities in the agricultural value chain and why agriculture extension—or training– is more important than ever. So what exactly … More To transform agricultural extension, give youth a voice

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is going to be history, but how?

January 5, 2018

I got impressed by the virtues of collective actions while reading the GFAR blog post Remembering our collective actions: The unforgettable story of Rinderpest eradication. This infectious disease which was once thought very difficult to control, was nevertheless totally eliminated from the world, thanks to the collective actions. My institution, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, among several … More Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is going to be history, but how?

How gene banks can contribute to a healthier future

December 22, 2017

Chronic or non-communicable diseases are the leading causes of mortality around the globe. Take a look at these staggering figures from the World Health Organization: Of the 56 million deaths in 2015, 40 million or 70 percent were caused by heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Most of those illnesses can be prevented. … More How gene banks can contribute to a healthier future

Sustainable food systems: What it means for CIAT research

December 21, 2017

It is big and involves so many processes and actors. Some would even say it’s scary. I’m talking about the food system, or the movement of food from cultivation of crops to disposal of food scraps. “It’s everything and it’s nothing. But the important thing about the food system as a concept and as a … More Sustainable food systems: What it means for CIAT research

Learning about data for farmers and how it can help to “cross the donga”

December 20, 2017

Dan Berne and Valeria Pesce In the week of 20-24 November 2017, GFAR convened a course and symposium on Farmers’ access to data in Centurion, South Africa. This event is an example of the activities that GFAR wants to promote towards ensuring that communities determine their own needs and their own future, which is one … More Learning about data for farmers and how it can help to “cross the donga”

Genome editing: A revolutionary tool to speed up plant breeding

December 20, 2017

Innovation has always been part of the International Center for Tropical Agriculture’s (CIAT) DNA. Since its birth in 1967, CIAT has utilized novel tools to breed and improve some of the most important crops in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Genome editing is one such tool. It uses CRISPR-Cas, a revolutionary technology that can “cut” … More Genome editing: A revolutionary tool to speed up plant breeding

The Challenges of Assessing Collaborative Impact

December 19, 2017

It would be extremely difficult – if not impossible – for an organization like the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) to document all of its impacts since its inception 50 years ago. Nevertheless, impact assessment is a necessary exercise, both in the interest of accountability to donors and other stakeholders, as well as to … More The Challenges of Assessing Collaborative Impact

5 Ways to Get the Best out of your Organization’s Anniversary

December 18, 2017

It was a highly emotional moment for Colombian nationals and others alike when Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos stepped onto the stage to take part in CIAT’s 50th anniversary final celebrations at the organization’s headquarters near Cali, Colombia. Adding to the feeling of excitement was the moment when President Santos pledged the equivalent of approximately … More 5 Ways to Get the Best out of your Organization’s Anniversary

Towards Food and Nutrition Security: Where is IITA going in the next half century?

December 14, 2017

The year 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The anniversary was celebrated to reflect two milestones: the first 50 years, covering the period from its inception up till now; and the next 50 years, covering the present to the next 50 years. The first core event, held on … More Towards Food and Nutrition Security: Where is IITA going in the next half century?

IITA: Transforming African Agriculture

December 13, 2017

Agriculture is central to the development of the African continent, currently contributing 40% to 80% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in several countries. In recent years, it has been put back on to the development agenda of most African governments. In Nigeria, for instance, the agricultural policy document of the current government builds on … More IITA: Transforming African Agriculture

Conversations in transformation (why it’s good to talk to people on your way to work)

December 12, 2017

A popular story goes that the idea of establishing agricultural research centers, precursors of the modern-day CGIAR network, was born out of the daily train conversations between two gentlemen on their way to work In New York City in the early-1960s. The story, told by the late Lowell Hardin, former professor at the Purdue University … More Conversations in transformation (why it’s good to talk to people on your way to work)

GFAR champions farmers’ rights to seed and genetic resources in new video

December 12, 2017

Over the last four years, GFAR has played a leading role in mobilizing awareness and learning about farmers rights, to help farmers continue to benefit from the crop varieties and traits they have developed over generations, both in their own use and when used for further breeding. In partnership with the International Treaty on Plant … More GFAR champions farmers’ rights to seed and genetic resources in new video

Webinar Wrap-Up: Effective Tools for Understanding, Managing and Accelerating Impact

December 4, 2017

In a recent GFAR webinar, the Committee on Sustainability Assessment’s (COSA) teamed up with GFAR and the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) to “Brace for Impact”: together they examined the question of how to design effective measurement tools for the understanding, management and acceleration of development impacts. The webinar was a Collective Action supported by GFAR … More Webinar Wrap-Up: Effective Tools for Understanding, Managing and Accelerating Impact

Realising the potential of Africa’s hidden talent

December 3, 2017

Much of agriculture in Africa is in the hands of poor, scattered populations served by inadequate infrastructure for agricultural research, outreach and training. The national institutions serving agriculture often lack the capacity to undertake research and technology transfer on a meaningful scale. In addition, much work undertaken in Africa is lost as a rapid turnover … More Realising the potential of Africa’s hidden talent

On vocational approach in university education: Is it the way to go?

December 2, 2017

The loyal non-critical civil servants that the university was set up to provide to the colonial administration and subsequently to the new independent state is no longer in demand. So, the design of higher education in Africa is increasingly out of sync with the labor market demands. Is it high time that universities considered a … More On vocational approach in university education: Is it the way to go?

Investing in Africa’s young population to drive the Continent’s Agenda

December 1, 2017

According to the United Nations report, by 2050, there will be an increase of 1.3 billion in Africa’s population. Africa’s growth is expected to move from 1 to 4 billion people. Forty-five percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is below the age of fifteen, yet over the next two decades, 330 million young Africans will be entering the job … More Investing in Africa’s young population to drive the Continent’s Agenda

Webinar: Innovating those dreaded “Annual Reports”

November 26, 2017

And before we know it, we’re almost at the end of yet another year… While most people are looking forward for a season filled with jingle bells, carols, presents and new year’s fireworks, many professional communicators have a different perspective: the end of the year marks the start of yet another dreaded process of preparing … More Webinar: Innovating those dreaded “Annual Reports”