As governments heighten the drive to mechanize agriculture, critical information is required on (i) existing mechanization options, (ii) barriers and challenges, (iii) opportunities for scaling and effective demand for mechanization. This paper combines quantitative and qualitative surveys to help elucidate on some of these key issues in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where mechanization is part of national policy priorities. Data were collected through Qualitative surveys involving 484 participants in focus group discussions and 109 key informants.

This report summarizes the meta-analysis findings on the social, economic, and institutional bottlenecks, barriers, and opportunities to more inclusive small and medium agribusiness in the ESA region. It serves as a link between the visible integration of GESI focus in WP1 and its interventions. The GESI framework1 brings about inclusive and scalable agribusiness innovations through targeted GESI support to UU ESA work packages 1-6.

CGIAR’s Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES) provides operational support as the Secretariat for the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) and the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA). IAES implements CGIAR’s multi-year, independent evaluation plan, as approved by the System Council. The IAES multi-year workplan authorizes the IAES Evaluation Function’s continued role in supporting evaluation standards, guidance, and capacity within CGIAR.

In Myanmar, the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, in partnership with the CGIAR-Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), the International Development Research Center Canada (IDRC), the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (The Alliance), and local NGOs, have promoted the climate-smart village (CSV) approach as a community platform to build adaptation capacities of Myanmar farmers since 2017.

This factsheet gives answers on how climate exacerbates root causes of conflict in Uganda, using an climate security pathway analysis. Two main climate security pathway are identified: 1. Livelihood and Food Insecurity: Climate change and variability affect Uganda ́s agricultural production and food security. Inequalities in terms of gender and youth further increase the vulnerability of affected rural populations to adapt to the challenges of climate change.

This factsheet gives answers on how climate exacerbates root causes of conflict in Sudan, using an impact pathway analysis. Two main impact pathways are identified: 1. Resource Availability and Access: Climate variability and extreme events are putting pressure on land, water and pasture while increasing desertification is pushing pastoralists ever further south in their quest to feed their livestock. 2. Livelihood and Food Security: Climate variability is reducing agricultural production in Sudan, leading to high food insecurity and protests.

The stability and resilience of the Earth system and human well-being are inseparably linked1-3, yet their interdependencies are generally under-recognized; consequently, they are often treated independently4,5. Here, we use modelling and literature assessment to quantify safe and just Earth system boundaries (ESBs) for climate, the biosphere, water and nutrient cycles, and aerosols at global and subglobal scales.

Current policy is driving renewed impetus to restore forests to return ecological function, protect species, sequester carbon and secure livelihoods. Here we assess the contribution of tree planting to ecosystem restoration in tropical and sub-tropical Asia; we synthesize evidence on mortality and growth of planted trees at 176 sites and assess structural and biodiversity recovery of co-located actively restored and naturally regenerating forest plots. Mean mortality of planted trees was 18% 1 year after planting, increasing to 44% after 5 years.

This report examines the motivation and willingness of Village Civil Protection Committees (VCPCs) and communities to mobilize resources at community level for Disaster Risk Management (DRM). To do this, a participatory action research (PAR) approach was utilized, facilitated by SWOT analyses, in combination with focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs). The findings revealed that communities had prepositioned resources to prepare for disaster response as part of risk reduction.

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa
(CCARDESA) is a SADC subsidiary mandated by Members States to coordinate regional cooperation
in agricultural research and development. It is implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture
Development Programme EX Pillar 4 (CAADP-XP4) Programme on Gender. The CAADP-XP4
Programme is financed through the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for four
years, between 2019-2023.

The report documents the institutional meetings and discussions taking place between 26-30 November 2023 when a delegation from Lao PDR visited Vietnan. Overall aim of the visit was to enhance institutional cooperation between policy researchers and policy makers for more effective policy formulation. The Lao team learnt about options to strengthen policy implementation, like through formulating specific strategies, supporting farmers to adopt suitable technologies/innovations, and bringing research evidence into the policy formulation process.