The study focused on the extensive rangelands in Kuwait, covering more than 75% of the total land area. These rangelands face severe degradation due to factors such as overgrazing, anthropic misuse, and mismanagement. The research aimed to assess the impact of natural restoration, specifically through resting, on vegetation cover and species richness in a fenced 1 km² area. The findings indicated that while perennial species cover remained consistent between fenced and unfenced areas, there was a notable increase in annual species cover within the fenced sections.

Restoring / enhancing soil health is key for sustainable intensification and regenerative agriculture in the Global South, while reducing vulnerability of
smallholder farmers to climate change.
A flexible framework is proposed that can be used to target, monitor and adapt soil health interventions with relevant stakeholders
Development of biological soil health indicators and assessment methods require more research – given the key role of soil biology for soil health/functions

Under RUFORUM, partnering with universities in Eastern and Southern Africa to advance climate research by integrating climate change into academic curricula through diverse approaches, included comprehensive curriculum overhauls, introduction of new programs, specialized trainings, and student clubs.

Since the launch of CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy (CGIAR Strategy) in 2021, the trajectory, frequency, and pace of known trends and cycles have changed, and the world has experienced an increasing array and severity of global shocks. As CGIAR prepares its 2025–2027 research and innovation portfolio, this is an appropriate time to examine the effects of these changes. Accordingly, the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC) commissioned a 2023 project to answer the following questions:

This research examined how the Smart-Valleys approach for water control was disseminated, its impact on rice yield, farmers' income, and food consumption score, as well as the farmers' perception of its advantages in Mali. In total, 469 farmers, including 68% women and 35% youth, adopted the Smart-Valleys approach across 10 sites, covering an area of 61.9 hectares. The primary dissemination methods included on-farm demonstrations, farmers exchange days, capacity building for extension agents and young service providers, along with continuous support to farmers during implementation.

Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) has degraded soils, epitomized by decades of loss of valuable topsoil caused by continuous cultivation, monocropping, excessive run-off, and the absence of effective conservation-based farming practices. Conservation Agriculture (CA) offers several opportunities to restore land and arrest soil degradation in smallholder farming systems of SSA. This study assessed labor productivity and farm returns associated with CA in Malawi and Zambia using household survey data collected from 500 and 616 farmers in Zambia and Malawi, respectively.

This research examined the dissemination mechanisms of climate smart rice varieties, its impact on rice yield, farmers' income, and food consumption score, as well as the farmers' perception of their advantages in Mali. In total, 35,280 farmers adopted the climate smart rice varieties promoted by the AICCRA project on a total area of 19,404 ha. The primary dissemination methods included on-farm demonstrations, farmers field days and capacity building of seed producing companies.

There is an urgent need to rethink our global food systems. The world is facing a nutrition crisis, and the way we produce and consume food is altering the equilibrium of our planet, causing environmental damage and biodiversity loss, and climate change which further compromises food security. Children are disproportionately affected, and school meals are being increasingly recognized as a key investment for governments to tackle these challenges. Through national school meals programs, around 418 million children currently receive a meal at school every day.

Soil health is the inherent ability of soil to function for agroecosystems productivity and environmental sustainability. With the limitations of nutrients, degradation, water conservation, extreme conditions due to climate change and mounting pressure to produce food, soil health is critical for human existence and thus gaining global debates. Developing and implementing the strategies and action plans to ensure soil health and fertility is also the strategic priority by framework for action biodiversity for food and agriculture.

Digital innovation continues to offer opportunities for a transformative shift in the Global South's agrifood sector, but it also faces significant challenges. Known for its diverse agricultural practices and smallscale farming, the Global South requires customized solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability and ensure scaling. Obstacles like the increasing digital divide, weak information systems and infrastructure, and limited digital capabilities, particularly among marginalized rural populations, hinder progress.

The One CGIAR Initiative TAFSSA (Transforming Agrifood Systems of South Asia) prioritizes interdisciplinary farm and landscape level research including an assessment of groundwater availability and sustainable use under scenarios of climate change scenarios and crop diversification. To integrate groundwater and cropping system modelling participatory practices were used to identify potential cropping scenarios in Nalanda, Bihar, through bottom-up exercise in a one-day workshop. This brief presents the methods and findings of this scenario development workshop.

Growing attention to food environment policies has been observed to address the multiple aspects of malnutrition (Kumar et al. 2023). In India, interventions promoting sustainable agriculture, small-scale farming, and equitable access to markets have been initiated to address the food and nutrition security of economically vulnerable groups. However, transformative interventions require deeper understanding specific contexts and a deep knowledge of the food environment.