We conducted a scoping review to explore existing rural finance practices and delivery models in
developing countries. The review aimed to examine past and present practices, explore types of
products/services and delivery models, identify knowledge gaps, and propose a framework for
developing and delivering customized financial services for the rural sector. Despite significant
progress in financial products, services and delivery models in the previous decades, access to

Under Sustainable Animal Productivity, one of the CGIAR initiatives, use of improved forages is key towards increased ruminant productivity. Given the diverse ecologies, matching species/cultivars with suitable agroecological zone is better done through multilocational trials. In addition to increasing productivity, forages confer additional co-benefits including ecosystem services e.g. soil erosion control, sequestering carbon and providing business opportunities along the forages and livestock value chains.

The dynamic digitalization of agri-food systems has generated a call for a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach, emphasizing ethical and sustainable technology adoption. Existing RRI frameworks prioritize fair benefits distribution, data privacy, and stakeholder engagement, aiming for transparent governance and proactive risk management. Despite these efforts, challenges persist in responsible digital innovation, including an excessive focus on technology design, inadequate stakeholder engagement, and difficulties in comprehending digital transformation processes.

The Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming Systems (SIMFS) is a CGIAR initiative. This initiative ‘aims to provide equitable, transformative pathways for improved livelihoods of actors in mixed farming systems through sustainable intensification within target agroecological and socioeconomic settings. To achieve this, different methodologies, innovations, and practices have been implemented to understand and improve the agroecological/productive conditions to assess a benefit on nutrition, food security and welfare.

Pastoralism is a way of life and livelihood strategy for millions of people around the world and it is characterized by mobility. In Ethiopia, pastoralism is an important means of livelihood for more than four million people, with most pastoralists living in the Somali, Afar, Oromia and Southern Nations regions.

This study employed a participatory approach to assess the perceived adoption levels, barriers, and incentive mechanisms for the widespread implementation of the alternate wetting and drying irrigation method and integrated rice-fish system. The findings revealed that the current perceived adoption rates for both technologies were low, ranging from 10 to 15%.

Under the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity, research for development work has been undertaken to enhance production efficiency of smallholder dairy farmers through integrated
genetics, nutrition, and health interventions in selected districts of Ethiopia (Adea and Bahir Dar Zuria). The research sites were purposely selected to align with an ongoing dairy genetic
improvement program. The nutrition intervention was informed by focus group discussions, individual farm visits, and key informant interviews. The following were the main messages from the

The Ukama Ustawi Initiative WP5 (Empower & Engage) facilitated a GenderUp workshop in collaboration with Wageningen University and UC Davis in Harare, Zimbabwe at the Monomotapa Hotel on August 8, 2023.