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A recent study explores whether modern maize storage structures offer equal benefits to women and men farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Assessing the approach’s potential and limitations for strengthening the livelihoods of the rural poor, a new book draws conclusions applicable across the development field.

The breakthrough, comes after three years of intensive research and trials conducted in Kenya and represents a significant advance in the global fight against fall armyworn.

Could an ancient and—in the Americas—commonplace practice help make maize agri-food systems more nutritious?

The editors of a new book on value chain development explain what VCD is and how it can be made to work better for smallholder farmers.

Taken together, digital monitoring and readily available data on the status of groundwater resources provide a critical foundation for sustainable irrigation development. While much is known about surface water resources and hydrological and meteorological linkages between the Terai, Mid-Hills and Himalaya regions of the country, Nepal currently […]

There is a growing crisis beneath our feet. Scientists, soil specialists and policy-makers around the world are sounding the alarm about degrading soil conditions.

The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin its 2021 phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle in January.

The most essential nutrient in global crop production is also one of the most challenging to work with.

By Dr. Suresh, L.M.: The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2021 at the beginning of January 2021 and in other four intervals, interested organizations from both the private and public sectors are invited to send maize germplasm for […]

Once a world leading lentil producer, Nepal is now having to import them as farmers struggle with low productivity and warmer, wetter weather. This could have serious implications in a country where lentils provide an important source of protein, especially for poor families. Read the full article here.

Groundwater irrigation plays a critical role in supporting food security, rural livelihoods and economic development in South Asia. However, in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP) region (including Nepal, Bangladesh and Eastern India) many farmers lack access to affordable groundwater supply. Inability to fully exploit available groundwater […]

Innovative tools and technologies help CIMMYT maize breeders in Africa accelerate the delivery of high-quality seed.

A growing number of smallholders in southern Zimbabwe adopt provitamin-A maize after collective learning and knowledge transfer initiative.

“Maize farming has supported us during this low-income and very critical period (COVID-19). I shall continue maize cultivation and hope to increase our lease in land next year”, Sashimoni Lohar. CSISA works with women farmers like Lohar in the tribal dominated districts of Odisha, India in cultivating maize in arable fallow land. A few years […]

Agriculture scientists and researchers study the possible impact to agricultural productivity due to COVID-19 disruptions and the increasing threat of pollution due to stubble burning in northern india. Emerging evidence supports the intuitive link between chronic health conditions associated with air pollution and the vulnerability of […]

A six-day virtual interactive training for convergence members on the theme ‘creating impact through wider data sharing’ was hosted by CSISA in association with CAB-International and ODI in September (16-23 September). The thematic areas of the training aimed at strengthening technical expertise of the participants; creating an enabling […]

Highlights Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) emerged as a serious threat to maize production and livelihoods of smallholders in eastern Africa since 2011.        An intensive multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional strategy is being implemented to curb the spread of MLN in sub-Saharan Africa, and mitigate the impact of the disease. Intensive […]

  International Year of Plant Health 2020 Dr. Suresh, L.M. (CIMMYT) September 25: The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin the fifth interval of its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2020 at the beginning of November 2020. Interested organizations from both the private and public […]

Farmers are turning to two-wheeled tractor-mounted reaper-harvesters to make up for the lack of farm labor caused by a significant number of rural Nepalese — especially men and youth — migrating out in search of employment opportunities.

CSISA project suggests pathways to remove barriers inhibiting full use of groundwater irrigation infrastructure.

CSISA, JEEViKA and the Bihar Agriculture University are catalysing sustainable solutions for farmers, which are empowering them (small and marginal farmers including women) to secure more prosperous lives.

A long-term study by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) shows that mung beans, a month-long leguminous crop commonly known as green gram, strengthen rice-wheat farming systems and livelihoods in Nepal.

Read the latest news from the just concluded Stress Tolerant Maize for Africa (STMA) initiative. This issue highlights the impact the project has had on farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, how it has helped build resilience of Africa’s smallholder farmers and how the improved maize varieties will enable partners to reach farmers on time to plant

Amondo, E., Simtowe, F., Rahut, D.B., Erenstein, O., 2019. Productivity and production risk effects of adopting drought-tolerant maize varieties in Zambia. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management 11, 570-591. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-03-2018-0024 Awata, L. A. O., Ifie, B. E., Tongoona, P., Danquah, E., Jumbo, M. B., […]