CONTEXT
Cocoa agroforestry systems differ in the diversity of shade tree species composition. Though cocoa benefits from shade, there is a lack of species-specific information on shade trees that enhance soil fertility and yield.
OBJECTIVE
We examined how soil characteristics and cocoa yield were affected by eight commonly retained forest tree species, compared with unshaded control plots over a 3-year period.
METHODS

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).

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

This Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared to identify the key stakeholders of the Accelerating Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) West Africa 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 make complaints about the project and any activities related to the Project.

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and its Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) developed a methodology to scout science-based technologies in the early stage, addressing sustainable agriculture and climate action, and connect them with CGIAR to maximize delivery and impact. This methodology involves eight project phases, including the assessment, design, launch, call for applications and selection, bootcamp, acceleration program and demo day, post-acceleration support, and dissemination.

This Publication is an Abstracts book of the 13th Arab Congress of Plant Protection (13th ACPP), organized by the Arab Society of Plant Protection (ASPP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of Tunisia, represented by the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Tunisia (INRAT), held during the period 16-21 October 2022 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

Intercropping is a common practice among smallholder farmers cultivating common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and maize (Zea mays L.). It affects agronomic performance, dry matter partition- ing, and grain yield. Simultaneous intercropping of common bean with maize can influence growth, development, and dry matter partitioning of grain of common bean.

Maize cropping systems in Kenya, as is true in many other places in Africa, face multiple biotic and abiotic stressors not least climatic ones. Guided by farmers' priorities, maize breeding programs can contribute to the needed resilience against these changes by developing and mainstreaming new generations of maize varieties adapted to these challenges. Using data from 1,400 farmers and applying a multi-criteria choice analysis, this study reports on smallholder farmers' relative valuation of stress tolerance traits.

germplasm for the benefit of farmers and consumers of the Global South during and after the Green Revolution. Understanding farmers’ heterogeneous preferences for varietal traits in different market segments and incorporating the prominent ones in crop breeding programs are expected to facilitate a faster diffusion of these new varieties. Albeit knowing little about farmers’ trait preferences in South Asia, public-sector breeding programs prioritize yield enhancement and risk reduction over other varietal traits.