Climate change is projected to worsen heat stress conditions in East Africa, impacting dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, and poultry. Implementing well-targeted climate adaptation strategies, such as breeding heat-tolerant animals and providing adequate water access, is crucial to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures.
Recent advances in crop modeling and remote sensing can enhance the quality of index insurance programs, increasing the value that index insurance offers to agricultural households and communities. This approach enables inexpensive, quick coverage to many people who would otherwise be uninsured.
Studies in Cameroon, Indonesia, and Peru found that forest conversion to agriculture and degradation slows carbon and nitrogen cycles, affecting greenhouse gas flows. Methane removals decreased by up to 47% and nitrous oxide emissions dropped by 52%, but results are equivocal for peatland degradation.
While a no-meat diet is recommended for industrialized regions, scientists argue that it's not a universal solution for low- and middle-income countries. Livestock are crucial to incomes and diets in these regions.
A new study highlights the plight of US crop wild relatives, many of which are endangered or underrepresented in conservation repositories. The plants, including those related to apples, hops, and sunflowers, have characteristics that can be used to breed hardier crops.
A new analysis in The Lancet Planetary Health finds that innovations to fix the food system could backfire, leading to increased deforestation and environmental degradation. The study highlights the need to anticipate trade-offs when introducing new technologies to improve human health and the planet.
Scientists highlight cassava as an overlooked solution to tackle environmental concerns. Cassava can revive degraded land, lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote peace in conflict-prone areas.
Researchers discovered a surprising trove of wild sorghum relatives in Australia, offering potential solutions to combat drought and extreme heat. However, these economically important plants are in peril due to habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts.
A new study found that in-kind payments successfully encouraged farmers to cultivate and conserve rare crops and varieties. The innovative payment scheme, known as Payment for Agrobiodiversity Conservation Services (PACS), has been well-received by farmers and policymakers in four Latin American countries.
Researchers are racing to collect and conserve wild banana species critical to helping bananas adapt to climate change, pests, and diseases. In a recent expedition, scientists gathered over 31 bunches of eight different species, highlighting the importance of conserving genetic diversity.
Researchers outline the benefits of tropical fruits in terms of nutrition and discuss barriers to scaling up supply. Smallholder farmers and marginalized groups can benefit from tree-sourced food sources, which can also provide ecosystem services like carbon sequestration.
Researchers found that many small farmers lack internet and mobile network access due to high costs and limited coverage. The study highlights the need to expand coverage and make digital connectedness affordable for all, particularly in Africa.
Researchers developed a platform using aerial images from mobile phones, drones, and satellites to detect banana diseases in Africa. The system uses machine learning and has been downloaded 2,500 times.
Researchers propose a holistic approach to conservation, aiming for no net biodiversity loss between 2020 and 2030 and a 20% gain by 2050. The new targets need to prioritize ecosystems, species, genetic diversity, and nature's contributions to people.
The CGIAR Latin America centers are driving innovations to reduce poverty and improve food security in the region. Innovations like the Andean Initiative use technology and partnerships to generate site-specific adaptation measures for farmers.
Scientists combine farmers' knowledge of resilient crops with elite varieties identified by scientists to improve crop yields and adaptability. Traditional varieties have shown better performance in Ethiopian trials, outperforming elite ones.
New research shows that changing the relationship between land use and food production is necessary to reverse biodiversity loss. The study suggests that transitioning towards healthier diets, reducing waste, and increasing productivity can help restore ecosystems.
The EAT-Lancet Report proposes a universal healthy reference diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, but implementing this change requires unprecedented global cooperation. Policymakers must prioritize food systems as a top development agenda to realize the recommendations laid out in the report.
Research finds that despite cocoa not driving deforestation in Colombia, small producers risk being cut out of supply chains if they don't comply with zero-deforestation requirements. Contextualized value-addition strategies are needed to support sustainable markets and peace.
Researchers employed a gendered ecosystem services approach with Lozi communities to identify locally relevant strategies for sustainable agricultural development. The study found that agroecological intensification, such as multiple cropping and agroforestry, can restore and maintain ecosystem services in cultivated lands while reduci...
Researchers argue that one-sided narratives shape the dichotomy between state-led and market-led approaches to promote agricultural development. A combination of state-led initiatives, donor-funded or market-led approaches, and input subsidy programs can work if there is evidence-based policy learning between both camps.
A study in Peru found that shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture is associated with less diverse diets and reduced access to food among local communities. The expansion of cash crops like palm oil and cocoa has led to simplified production systems and decreased agricultural biodiversity.
A new study suggests robusta coffee production decreases by 14% with each 1C increase above a lower-than-once-thought optimal temperature range. The findings contrast with previous estimates and highlight the need for climate adaptation strategies in the coffee industry.
Scientists have mapped thousands of teff varieties to fast-track efforts to save the crop from higher temperatures, which could reduce production by 80%. The study reveals unique characteristics and traits allowing teff to cope with different environmental conditions.
Researchers have developed a machine learning platform that analyzes high-resolution drone images to predict root crop growth and health. This technology enables scientists to respond quickly to stimuli and breed more drought- and heat-resistant varieties, ultimately improving crop productivity and food security.
The use of cover crops is increasing globally due to their environmental benefits, such as reducing erosion and improving water quality. However, planting millions of acres of cover crops will require huge extensions of land to produce cover crop seed, posing a limitation to its widespread adoption.
New technologies, such as artificial meats, 3D printing, and vertical agriculture, hold promise for transforming the global food system. The study identifies an arsenal of highly promising options that can be tailored to different institutional and political contexts.
The study analyzed seven Latin American countries and found that widespread adoption of emission-reduction techniques is necessary to meet target. Researchers highlight barriers to adoption, including lack of access to inputs and information, and propose solutions such as formal systems of replication, subsidies, and technical assistance.
A diet of high-iron beans improved the iron status and physical performance of women with anemia in Rwanda. The study shows that biofortified crops can be a sustainable alternative to address nutritional deficiencies in low-income countries.
Cassava has increased yields dramatically in Asia over the last 50 years, with yields in Vietnam rising from 3 tons per hectare to 20 tons through improved varieties and fertilizer management. Researchers have also developed new varieties for industrial use, such as high-starch cassava ideal for higher latitudes.
A new study found that only international trade has a net positive effect on global food systems sustainability, while population growth, urbanization, and lifestyle change have negative impacts. The study suggests that policymakers need better tools to measure and monitor food system dynamics to make them more sustainable.
A new study proposes climbing beans as an intensification solution to increase yield and meet Africa's growing demand for food. Climbing beans can adapt to Africa's future climates in several ways, including intensifying cultivation in high-producing areas.
A team of researchers developed a standardized survey tool to collect data on rural households. The Rural Household Multi-Indicator Survey (RHoMIS) includes over 30,000 interviews from 33 countries and provides insights into smallholder farming practices, climate change, and social inclusion.
A new, high-resolution climate change dataset has been validated and described, providing valuable data for smallholder farmers and policymakers to devise adaptation strategies. The dataset includes 436 scenarios of future climate conditions at scales as small as 1 kilometer.
The wild relatives of chile peppers, pumpkins, carrots, and lettuce are imperiled, with many species not well-represented in gene banks or protected areas. These plants possess genes that can help their cultivated cousins withstand harsh climate conditions.
Scientists have developed an innovative method of growing cassava in the air using aeroponics, allowing for real-time observation of root development and identification of genes that regulate growth. This breakthrough could lead to increased yields, improved sustainability, and accelerated plant growth.
A new global map assesses the sustainability of food systems, considering factors beyond productivity and nutrition. The study identifies knowledge gaps and provides a standardized framework for measuring food system sustainability.
Land restoration in Ethiopia has boosted crop yields and soil carbon, but increased runoff due to climate change threatens degradation. A combination of land restoration activities can increase crop yields by up to 170 percent.
Researchers use new mapping method to identify most vulnerable tropical forest areas, combining 45 years of satellite images with current land use data. The analysis reveals the impact of human activity, such as agriculture and infrastructure development, on deforestation and forest degradation.
Researchers found that poor urban consumers in Uganda and Kenya are willing to pay a premium for more nutritious flour, with up to 94% of respondents agreeing to pay more. The study highlights the potential for improving nutrition among the urban poor through targeted policy interventions.
A four-year study in Colombia's maize-growing region shows that combining farmers' knowledge with data on weather and soils can increase yields substantially. Machine learning algorithms helped develop site-specific guidelines for crop management, reducing fertilizer costs and stabilizing yields.
A new cost-effective technology, subsurface water retention technology (SWRT), has the potential to significantly improve harvests in sub-Saharan Africa's poor fields. SWRT increases water retention and organic material accumulation, making soils more fertile, resulting in higher maize yields and carbon sequestration.
A new study maps 154 land restoration projects in Latin America, revealing their potential to mitigate climate change through forest restoration. The research highlights the importance of natural regeneration and assisted regeneration methods for increasing vegetation cover and biodiversity.
A new smartphone app scans plants for signs of major diseases and one common pest, detecting them with a 90% successful rate. The app aims to link farmers to extension workers and satellite images to prevent production losses and support global disease control.
Research institutions are encouraged to integrate graphic design into communications teams to reach socially relevant audiences. Collaborations between scientists and graphic artists result in clear, focused, and accessible infographics, pushing science forward.
A global surveillance system (GSS) is proposed to strengthen and interconnect crop biosecurity systems, reducing food lost to pests by up to 70% by 2050. The system would prioritize six major crops and tap into cutting-edge technology for rapid disease diagnostics.
A new review finds that agriculture and food systems must undergo significant changes to limit warming to 2 degrees C. Efforts should focus on reducing emissions from agriculture, food loss and waste, and meat and dairy production, while supporting smallholder farmers through climate-smart agriculture and social safety nets.
A new study warns that Colombia's rice production may shift to higher altitudes without climate action, with potential losses of 4.4 million hectares of arable land by the 2050s. The research highlights the need for complex decisions on land-use change and crop cultivation to ensure food security.
A study by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture reveals that Vietnam can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through affordable agricultural practices, increasing productivity, and reducing inputs. Implementing these measures could eliminate up to 51% of p...
Researchers discovered genes responsible for asexual reproduction in tropical grass, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving cattle health. This breakthrough enables faster and cheaper breeding of environmentally friendly forage grasses.