This report presents one of three case studies undertaken as part of a broader study to explore and develop models for the emergence of enhanced and resilient seed systems in fragile state contexts. Such contexts provide a particular challenge for seed system development. Existing formal seed sector development models are not viable in fragile states due to a severe lack of capacity, insecurity, and ongoing political and economic instability. The formal seed sector is either weak or non-existent in fragile states, and farmers necessarily rely on the informal seed sector.

Improved food security and nutrition remain a notable global challenge. Yet, food security and nutrition are areas of strategic importance regarding the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The increasingly weakening global food production systems pose a threat to sustainable improved food security and nutrition. Consequently, a significant population remains chronically hungry and severely malnourished. As a remedy, farm production diversity (FPD) remains a viable pathway through which household nutrition can be improved.

The kick off workshop of the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender inclusion (SAPLING)—took place on 20-21 April in Son La Province, Vietnam. The workshop was co-hosted by the Sub-department of Animal Health and Livestock Production and Fisheries, Son La Province (Sub-DAH), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Alliance for Bioversity International and CIAT (ABC).

Soybean production is limited by poor soil fertility and unstable rainfall due to climate variability in the Nigeria savannas. There is a decline in the amount and duration of rainfall as one moves from the south to north of the savanna zones. The use of adapted soybean varieties and optimum sowing windows are avenues to increase productivity in the face of climate variability. Crop simulation models can be used as tools for the evaluation of alternative management options for a particular location, including fertilizer application rates, plant density, sowing dates and land use.

To improve the quality of data and reporting for the fourth cycle of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review (BR),1 the African Union (AU) conducted a critical analysis of the process, data, and reporting associated with the third BR.

While goats are an important pillar of livestock and agriculture sectors in East and Horn of Africa,
little research is being published and access to unpublished data is very difficult. This working
paper attempts to review the male and female reproductive characteristics of goats in 11 countries
of East and Horn of Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia,
Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda), and to summarize studies that have looked at the improvement

Farmers in developing countries routinely misperceive or misreport input quality for various reasons, which introduces substantial measurement error in farm survey data. In this paper, we motivate and illustrate, both analytically and empirically, the inferential and behavioral implications of misperception and misreporting using a unique crop variety identification data from Nigeria. Using a non-parametric framework for testing the presence of measurement error, we show that crop variety misclassification in our data is mostly driven by misperception.

Providing farmers with essential agricultural information and training in the era of COVID-19 has been a challenge that has prompted a renewed interest in digital extension services. There is a distinct gender gap, however, between men’s and women’s access to, use of, and ability to benefit from information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Underutilized grain crops are an essential part of the food system that supports humankind. A number of these crops can be found in China, such as barley, buckwheat, broomcorn millet, foxtail millet, oat, and sorghum, which have characteristics such as containing more nutritional elements, being resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, and having strong adaptability to poor environments. The diversity of these crops provides options for farmers’ livelihoods and healthy food for the population.

High-resolution reliable rainfall datasets are vital for agricultural, hydrological, and weather-related applications. The accuracy of satellite estimates has a significant effect on simulation models in particular crop simulation models, which are highly sensitive to rainfall amounts, distribution, and intensity. In this study, we evaluated five widely used operational satellite rainfall estimates: CHIRP, CHIRPS, CPC, CMORPH, and GSMaP.

Calls to address social equity in ocean governance are expanding. Yet ‘equity’ is seldom clearly defined. Here we present a framework to support contextually-informed assessment of equity in ocean governance. Guiding questions include: (1) Where and (2) Why is equity being examined? (3) Equity for or amongst Whom? (4) What is being distributed? (5) When is equity considered? And (6) How do governance structures impact equity? The framework supports consistent operationalization of equity, challenges oversimplification, and allows evaluation of progress.

This Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared to identify the key stakeholders of the
Accelerating Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) Senegal Cluster, define information
disclosure and stakeholder engagement measures, and design a grievance mechanism (GM). The SEP outlines
how, when, and ways in which the project team will inform, communicate and consult with stakeholders
including vulnerable groups and a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or fill