Alliance Bioversity CIAT Outcome Impact Case Reports
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/116594
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Item AICCRA-RUFORUM-WASCAL partnership advances climate-smart higher education in Africa benefitting over 2,300 University lecturers in 37 African countries(Case Study, 2024-12) Segnon, Alcade; Zougmore, RobertThrough AICCRA partnership and engagement, WASCAL and RUFORUM developed new climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and climate information services (CIS) university course modules, informed by CGIAR science, benefitting over 2,300 university lecturers—29% women—in 37 African countries. These modules were integrated into three BSc programs (Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania) and a newly created MSc specialization (Felix Houphouet Boigny University, Cote d’Ivoire); and informed a new MSc program (Makerere University, Uganda) on Green Economy and Climate Finance, ultimately generating future expertise to transform African agriculture and food systems.Item 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 More than 1 million people reached with improved Participatory Scenario Planning processes in Kenya(Case Study, 2025-05-22) Grossi, Amanda; Ghosh, AniruddhaThrough facilitation of multistakeholder dialogues, coordination frameworks, and investment mobilization by AICCRA, more than 328,000 community stakeholders across nine Kenyan counties were directly reached with improved and streamlined climate information services to inform seasonal planning, with an estimated 1,000,600 reached indirectly. The climate-information services were delivered through Participatory Scenario Planning (PSP) processes, newly harmonized amongst more than 10 PSP implementers from public and private sectors who adopted action plans for coordinated finance, sustainability, quality, and timeliness of these processes.Item 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, AniruddhaThrough 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.Item Advancing agroecology and dietary diversity in Vihiga: Bioversity International's instrumental collaboration on the county's first agroecology policy 2024(Case Study, 2025-05-27) Oduor, Francis Odhiambo; Termote, Celine; Aluso, Lillian Olimba; Induli, Irene MudiovoIn August 2024, the County Government of Vihiga launched a public consultation on its new Agroecology Policy, developed with the active participation of Bioversity International. Over the past decade, Bioversity International has facilitated an integrated community-based approach, leading to the establishment of a community seed bank in Vihiga for traditional leafy vegetables, benefitting 8,500 farmers. As a result, 85% of Vihiga County farmers diversified their farms and 75% reported better diets and incomes, ultimately influencing the design of the county-level Agroecology Policy [13,14,18,19].Item West and Central African NARS accelerate climate-smart agriculture scaling using AICCRA and CGIAR knowledge and tools(Case Study, 2025-06-02) Segnon, Alcade; Zougmore, RobertBuilding on AICCRA-designed capacity development program on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to National Agricultural Research Systems (NARSs) in West and Central Africa (WCA), AICCRA regional partner CORAF and the ECOWAS Regional Agency for Food and Agriculture (RAAF) implemented CSA capacity-building initiatives. Harnessing AICCRA and CGIAR tools and knowledge, these initiatives have capacitated 565 people - 123 women- from 19 countries across WCA on CSA concepts, approaches and tools for assessing and scaling CSA technologies, enabling conditions for scaling CSA technologies and innovations.Item 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, CarloSince 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.Item AICCRA support enables West and Central African planning for effectively managing crop pest and disease outbreaks(Case Study, 2025-06-02) Segnon, Alcade; Zougmore, RobertResponding to CORAF demand, AICCRA technical support and capacity development on foresight analysis has enabled co-developing the Regional Plan for Preparedness and Response to Pest and Disease Outbreaks in West and Central Africa. Launched jointly by the Economic Community of both West and Central African States (ECOWAS and ECCAS), the Plan will strengthen agricultural resilience by anticipating and swiftly responding to disease and pest outbreaks that affect regional food systems.Item FarmDESIGN: Changing Ethiopian farming practices through sustainable intensification pathways(Case Study, 2025-05-20) Abera, Wuletawu; Ebrahim, Mohammed; Ayehu, Getachew; Eshetae, Meron AwokeIn 2023 and 2024 more than 132 farmers adopted more sustainable practices, including diversified crops, forages, and poultry, which boosted yields, income, improved household nutrition, and promoted soil health. The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT-led FarmDESIGN optimization and exploration modeling tool was used with communities to explore and implement optimized farming practices. These incremental changes transformed local farming systems, advancing food and nutrition security while increasing the synergy between interventions and fostering environmental sustainability.Item Two Kenya Countries advancing Kenya’s third National Climate Change Action Plan Goals(Case Study, 2025-05-20) Sagliocco, Livia; Kenduiywo, Benson; Pacillo, GraziaIn 2024, researchers from the Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, contributing to the CGIAR Research Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR), supported Laikipia and Turkana counties in advancing climate resilience and peace through Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). The establishment of county-level Climate-Smart Agriculture Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (CSA-MSP) and a piloted training course increased the capacity of officials, NGOs, and farmers to begin integrating CSA practices, addressing resource-based conflicts, and promoting adaptation strategies, as part of the actions agreed in the Adaptation Technical Analysis Report (ATAR).Item Open traceability tool for EUDR compliance through co-designed digital infrastructure adopted by Honduran coffee farmers(Case Study, 2025-05-15) Ceballos Sierra, FedericoTraceFoodChain.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.Item Chile integrates local technical agroclimatic committees into National climate adaptation plan for agriculture(Case Study, 2025-05-15) Castellanos, Andrea Estefania; Martinez Baron, DeissyThe Ministry of Agriculture of Chile has integrated Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees (LTACs, MTAs in Spanish) into its updated Climate-Change Adaptation Plan for the Silvoagricultural Sector (PACC SAP), with technical support from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. The government has committed to establishing or operationalizing at least three MTAs (2024–2028), and four MTAs in the Aysén Region as part of a Pilot Climate Adaptation Plan, strengthening climate-risk management for farmers in the Aysén Region.Item 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, EmilyThe 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.Item A Bioversity–CIAT partnership helped integrate gender considerations into ISEAL’s code of good practices for sustainability systems(Case Study, 2025-05-12) Elias, Marlene; Morgan, Miranda YeenA 3-year partnership with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT helped better assess and promote gender equality in agrifood-related sustainability systems. Gender researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity & CIAT and the ISEAL Alliance produced demand-driven resources and learning events to support this gender work. The collaboration strengthened capacities and knowledge among ISEAL members and led to the integration gender considerations in the latest revision of the ISEAL Code of Good Practices for Sustainability Systems.Item Chile integrates a gendered climate-smart agriculture approach within its national climate-adaptation plan for agriculture(Case Study, 2025-05-12) Castellanos, Andrea Estefania; Martinez Baron, DeissyThe Ministry of Agriculture of Chile has successfully incorporated a gendered climate-smart agriculture (CSA) approach into its updated Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Silvoagricultural Sector (PACC SAP), with technical support from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Gender considerations were integrated through a diagnostic study on gender gaps, such as access to resources and decision-making, and a practical guide for gender inclusion in climate-smart agriculture initiatives. Enhancing climate adaptation by empowering women farmers and rural communities.Item Strengthening capacities for the scaling of Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees through collaborative action(Case Study, 2025-05-12) Castellanos, Andrea Estefania; Martinez Baron, DeissyThe Climate Action Platform in Agriculture for Latin America and the Caribbean (PLACA) prioritized Local Technical Agroclimatic Committees (LTACs, MTAs in Spanish) in their 2024 action plan as a strategic mechanism to enhance climate resilience and sustainability in agriculture. MTAs enhance climate resilience in Latin American agriculture by improving decision-making and adaptation strategies. PLACA, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and WMO supported implementing MTA action plans through capacity-building workshops, enabling new countries to advance in actions to implement MTAs, while others strengthened their expertise.Item 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 Zambia’s Ministry of Green Economy and Environment pursues peace and security for green growth(Case Study, 2025-05-08) Pacillo, Grazia; Gadeberg, Marianne; Maviza, Gracsious; Caroli, GiuliaIn 2024, the CGIAR Research Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR) collaborated with local communities and national stakeholders, informing Zambia’s National Green Growth Strategy 2024-2030. Consequently, the strategy now includes social cohesion, peace, and stability as guiding principles for green growth. It emphasizes enhancing institutional capacity as a key enabling condition, and it includes provisions for research and training on climate, peace, and security. The Green Growth Strategy aims to foster a low-carbon and socially inclusive economy by 2030.Item Colombian universities incorporate PlaSA Colombia as a pedagogical tool to promote food system education among young people(Case Study, 2025-05-08) Rankin, Sara; Gonzalez, Carlos; Castillo, JohanaThe Alliance-developed PlaSA Colombia platform enhances education on food systems through interactive, data-driven learning experiences, making complex concepts more accessible and engaging. Integrated into curricula at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and ICESI University, the platform has improved students’ and educators’ capacity to analyze sustainability challenges. Over 190 participants engaged in experiential learning activities, fostering critical thinking and informed decision-making on food choices. Institutional adoption and expansion plans demonstrate its scalability, while interdisciplinary collaboration has strengthened its impact, making PlaSA Colombia a replicable model for transforming food systems education.Item Innovative partnership scheme unlocks US$520,800 credit, boosting hundreds of Kenyan farmers’ resilience(Case Study, 2025-05-08) Wamicwe, Peter; Derenoncourt, Marie Ena; Newman, RichardDuring a financial product launch, a pre-approved credit line of US$ 520,800, an innovative financing solution, was accessed by 334 farmers in one Kenyan county to procure drought-resistant seeds, manage rainwater runoff, and improve soil health. The bundled product integrates bank risk capital, insurance, and climate-smart advisory services. Enabled by CGIAR innovations, 569 farmers were trained, with 334 receiving funding approval. Partners Acre Africa and Shalem Investments will scale to 1,000 farmers by 2026, with a potential reach of 42,500.