Partnerships are fundamental to conducting research. Douglas Sheil/CIFOR PUNTA DEL ESTE, Uruguay (12 November 2012)_Small-scale farmers in many tropical nations depend primarily on their crops for survival, but without additional income generated by nearby forests, they would often be unable to weather through the hard times. This is why agricultural and forestry institutions should partner… More Agriculture and forestry: mainstreaming research findings that work for communities

For a poor fairytale farm-boy named Jack reduced to selling the family’s emaciated cow as a last resort, the stalk of a magical bean led to a golden goose and prosperity. For real-life farmers in developing countries, the treasure brought by iron-rich beanstalks comes in the form of higher yields and better nutrition. More than… More Bionic beans breeding better nutrition

What do coffee and banana have in common? One is a cash crop and the other is a food crop. According to scientists working at increasing food production to enhance food security to meet the growing population and adapt to climate change, the two crops make a perfect marriage. A study by the International Institute… More Growing coffee and bananas generates 50% more revenue for farmers

After a highly aggressive mystery maize disease crippled crops in 2011, Kenya’s number two crop – potato – could be a smart investment. Already there are 800,000 potato farmers in Kenya. Payoffs from potato can be high in terms of both income and nutrition. But only if farmers can get their hands on clean planting… More The shop that potatoes built

The vast “corn belt” of the Midwestern United States, the “amber waves” of wheat in India’s Punjab region, and the rice paddies of Southeast Asia – iconic landscapes that could disappear before too long. Our three most valuable calorie sources are all in peril from the negative effects of climate change. Maize yields tend to… More Global food production: recalibrate or die

“We want GCARD to become a real process, not just an event,” said Monty Jones of FARA-Ghana, in his role as chair of the Outcomes Session on the final day of the Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD2). That means holding the participants and organizers - especially GFAR and the CGIAR - of… More For the record…

Cuando pensamos en el desarrollo individual de los pequeños productores muchas veces perdemos de vista lo que ello significa en forma global. Por cada productor que puede mejorar su rendimiento, gracias a las asistencias técnicas y económicas significa dos cosas, un mejor nivel de vida para el y su familia, y una mayor cantidad de… More Desarrollo indivudual, desarrollo nacional