The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) undertook participatory action research in Myanmar to establish climate-smart villages (CSVs) in four unique agro-ecologies. This research was funded by CGIAR-CCAFS and the International Development Research Center in Canada (IDRC). Sakta Village is one of these four CSVs operated by IIRR and its local partner, Karuna Mission Social Solidarity (KMSS). It is located at Hakha Township in the north-east of Chin State situated 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) above sea level.

The role of gender in institutions and governance affecting rural areas is complex and multifaceted; the tools and methods to analyze and explore their interactions must address this complexity. Researchers, practitioners and policymakers from various disciplinary backgrounds have used a wide range of tools. This paper provides them with guidance on the tools that are available, and points to gaps where methodological development is needed.

Gender mainstreaming is seen, at international level, as critical to achieving national development goals and addressing key global challenges such as climate change and food and nutrition insecurity in the agriculture sector. Our study examined the barriers leading to poor gender mainstreaming and potential solutions in policies applying to gender, agriculture, climate change, food security and nutrition, in both Guatemala and Honduras. We used a case study approach to analyze the barriers to gender integration in these governments’ policies.

The study assessed the impact of CCAFS engagement at policy and household level in Kenya. Specifically, the study assessed the extent to which CCAFS engagement contributed to the observed changes in terms of shaping policy and CSA coordination among others. At the household level the study assessed the factors influencing uptake of CSA practices among smallholder farmers and the subsequent impact of the CSA practices on household dietary diversity, value of household livestock holding and household assets and per capita monthly expenditure as well as GHG emission.

Biodiversity is recognized as an essential part of sustainable development efforts, however reducing biodiversity loss is a key global challenge that requires updated data on biodiversity status at different scales. Cocoa agro-forests include tree species besides cocoa, a practice beneficial to biodiversity, ecosystem conservation and farming households. We present a stepwise procedure to test and select a method that rapidly assesses biodi-versity in cocoa agroforests based primarily on species richness and counts of non-cocoa trees.

Sustainable intensification (SI) is promoted as a rural development paradigm for sub-Saharan Africa. Achieving SI requires smallholder farmers to have access to information that is context-specific, increases their decision-making capacities, and adapts to changing environments. Current extension services often struggle to address these needs. New mobile phone-based services can help. In order to enhance the public extension service in Tanzania, we created a digital service that addresses smallholder farmers’ different information needs for implementing SI.

This is a catalog of banana diversity seen on the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki (Cook Islands) during the banana expedition organized from May, 20th to May, 21st 2019 by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Cook Islands with support of the Pacific Community (SPC). The expedition was funded by the Crop Trust with contribution of CRP RTB.