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IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program: converting science into policy action
No full textEstablished in 2000 as a co-equal partnership between the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Sir Ratan Tata Trusts, Mumbai, India, the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Program (ITP) is a research platform focused on water, energy, food and livelihoods in India. It brings together the scientific expertise and international experience of IWMI with a strong field presence, action orientation and strong investment in natural resource management-based rural livelihoods in Tata Trusts’ Rural Upliftment Portfolio. Over the past two decades, ITP has maintained a practical, problem-solving orientation to research and become a recognized ‘brand’ in the water-agriculture-energy-environment-livelihood sector in India. In recent years, ITP has taken to collaboratively pilot its research-based ideas on the ground. This unique approach has helped ITP establish a strong presence in policy circles and create a lasting impact on program design and policy formulation. This brochure provides an in-depth overview of ITP’s work, discussing its collaborative approach, key research themes, policy contributions, and impact through action-research initiatives
Traditional food-processing and preparation practices to enhance the bioavailability of micronutrients in plant-based diets
No full textDietary quality is an important limiting factor to adequate nutrition in many resource-poor settings. One aspect of dietary quality with respect to adequacy of micronutrient intakes is bioavailability. Several traditional household food-processing and preparation methods can be used to enhance the bioavailability of micronutrients in plant-based diets. These include thermal processing, mechanical processing, soaking, fermentation, and germination/malting. These strategies aim to increase the physicochemical accessibility of micronutrients, decrease the content of antinutrients, such as phytate, or increase the content of compounds that improve bioavailability. A combination of strategies is probably required to ensure a positive and significant effect on micronutrient adequacy. A long-term participatory intervention in Malawi that used a range of these strategies plus promotion of the intake of other micronutrient-rich foods, including animal-source foods, resulted in improvements in both hemoglobin and lean body mass and a lower incidence of common infections among intervention compared with control children. The suitability of these strategies and their impact on nutritional status and functional health outcomes need to be more broadly assessed
Optimizing Rice Crop Manager Odisha: AI-Driven Yield Prediction to compliment Extension using legacy data
No full textRice cultivation (Oryza sativa) requires precise crop and soil management, making optimized nutrient recommendations essential for improving productivity. To address this, the Rice Crop Manager (RCM)—a web-based tool developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)—was deployed to assist farmers in making data-driven decisions. RCM collects farmer input data to generate tailored recommendations on planting schedules, irrigation, and weed control. Since its inception in 2015 in Odisha, India, it has provided over 300,000 recommendations across 31 districts, offering valuable insights into varietal preferences, agricultural trends, and socio-demographic patterns. To leverage legacy data effectively, machine learning algorithms have been integrated into RCM to identify key factors influencing crop outcomes and assist in estimating target yields. These models are extensively trained to predict yield and evaluate performance using metrics such as R², root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE). The insights generated through RCM not only highlight the most widely grown rice varieties and annual sowing trends but also explore critical dimensions such as gender roles and youth participation in agriculture. Future expansions of RCM aim to enhance farmer engagement through chatbot development, enabling real-time interaction and decision-making support. Additionally, the system's architecture facilitates automated, data-driven recommendations, benefiting multiple stakeholders and contributing to greater agricultural productivity
Using U.S. food surpluses for development: interaction of food aid with other forms of foreign assistance.
No full textAssessing microbial diversity in soil and roots of longan fruit in Son La province, Vietnam
No full textAgricultural productivity is intricately linked to the health and biodiversity of soil, making the study of these components paramount in understanding and enhancing crop production. As the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems, soil health and biodiversity play pivotal roles in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall ecosystem resilience (Berendsen et al., 2012). Recognizing the significance of these factors in sustaining crop yields, the current study focuses on assessing microbial diversity in both soil and root of longan fruit (Dimocarpus longan) plantations in Son La Province. Longan is a tropical and sub-tropical plant. In Vietnam, longan is grown quite popularly in all parts of the country from North to South. Due to its high economic efficiency, in recent years, the cultivated longan area has grown rapidly. The research focuses on different treatments on longan plantation in Son La province, including:
● Longan monocropping and high organic (inorganic fertiliser 0-50 kg/ha, no
pesticides/herbicides). Sample code: SLMoH 1 -> 10
● Longan monocropping and low organic (inorganic/chemical input > 100 kg/ha, and/or
pesticides or herbicide). Sample code: SLMoL 1 -> 10
● Longan intercropping and high organic (inorganic fertiliser 0-50 kg/ha, no
pesticides/herbicides). Sample code: SLInH 1 -> 10
● Longan intercropping and low organic (inorganic/chemical input > 100 kg/ha, and/or pesticides
or herbicide). Sample code: SLInL 1 -> 10
Agricultural practices like monocropping and intercropping shape the soil microbiome and rootassociated microbial communities in longan orchards. Monocropping, where a single crop species is cultivated in an area, is a common approach. In contrast, intercropping involves growing multiple crop species together, offering benefits such as resource efficiency and pest management. These practices can impact microbial diversity, community composition, and ecosystem function in longan agroecosystems. Additionally, organic management, particularly the use of organic versus inorganic fertilizers, might also influence soil microbial communities. High organic practices reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promoting soil health and sustainability. Conversely, low organic practices prioritize synthetic fertilizers, potentially impacting microbial diversity and ecosystem stability negatively.
In the pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices, it becomes important to explore and evaluate the microbial diversity within the soil. Bacterial and fungal communities within the soil are pivotal for nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and the overall health of the agroecosystem. Furthermore, the assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) diversity in root systems adds a crucial layer to our understanding, as these symbiotic fungi play a fundamental role in nutrient uptake by plants. By comprehensively evaluating soil bacterial and fungal diversity, along with AMF diversity in roots, this study aims to provide insights into the intricate relationships that govern soil health and crop productivity. The outcomes of this research are anticipated to inform sustainable agricultural practices in the unique agricultural landscape of Vietnam
An inclusive scaling business model for transforming traditional small scale poultry production to market oriented production. TPGS experience
No full textScaling Community-Based Breeding Programs for Sheep and Goats
No full textThe Community-Based Breeding Program (CBBP) for sheep and goats in Ethiopiahas proven to be a successful genetic improvement project since its establishment in2009. This program effectively involves local communities in various aspects, such asidentifying and collecting data on animals, managing and using breeding sires,utilizing traditional knowledge, and mobilizing community flocks to enhance theirsheep and goat stock. It achieves this by engaging community members inparticipatory selection processes based on the estimated breeding value of the animalswhile also considering the specific needs of the community
First-ever community-level anticipatory action simulation for drought hazard in Sri Lanka
No full textThe Drought Anticipatory Action (AA) Simulation was conducted in Ellawewa Grama Niladhari Division (GND) within the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka to enhance community preparedness and resilience against drought hazards. This simulation aimed to equip communities with an AA framework for mitigating the adverse effects of drought through structured preparedness, readiness, and activation phases. Key objectives included improving existing drought management systems, fostering long-term adaptability, and raising awareness of disaster risk reduction strategies. The simulation activities were designed around specific triggers derived from forecast and monitoring indicators, ensuring timely and effective responses tailored to the local context. The preparedness phase focused on water conservation, water infrastructure repair, and food preservation, while the readiness phase emphasized livestock management, adaptive agricultural practices, and resource stockpiling. The activation phase implemented immediate interventions, including livestock relocation, water distribution, and community health monitoring. The simulation employed inclusive criteria to prioritize vulnerable groups, adhering to principles of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and considering low-income households and families with disabilities. This targeted approach ensured equitable participation and addressed marginalized populations' unique challenges. The simulation provided a comprehensive platform to test and refine drought anticipatory action protocols by integrating proactive measures with community engagement. The AWARE initiative strengthened community readiness, promoted sustainable agricultural practices, and improved access to forecast data, enabling informed decision-making. The exercise highlighted the importance of timely interventions and a proactive approach to disaster mitigation
Mechanism of yield compensation in some accession of cowpea grown at different plant densities and environments
No full textGrain yield of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Nigerian savannas are low despite the cultivation of improved accessions. Amongst a host of production constraints, missing plant stand has been suggested to contribute to yield loss in cowpea. Gap-filling could be used as alternative to mitigate yield losses caused by stand reduction. This study, which was carried out in 2020, was aimed at investigating the mechanism of yield compensation in some accessions of cowpea in two savannah agro-ecologies at Minjibir and Shika in Northern Nigeria. The randomised complete block design in a split-plot arrangement in three replicates was used. The main plot consisted of four plant densities (33,333, 66,666, 99,999 and 133,333 plants ha-1) while the sub-plots consisted of six cowpea accessions (DANILA, IT08K-150-27, IT89KD-288, IT93K-452-1, IT98K-205-8 and IT99K-573-1-1). Results showed that plant density and environment affected grain yield. Total grain yield increased with increasing plant density.
Generally, total grain yield was higher at Minjibir than at Shika. The highest total grain yield of 1,793.3 kg ha-1 was observed in the accession DANILA at 99,999 plants ha-1, while the lowest(1,100 kg ha-1) was observed in the accession IT98K-205-8 at 33, 333 plants ha-1. Stand count at harvest, leaf area index and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation and pod weight were positively correlated with total grain yield at both locations, suggesting that these traits could be considered for cowpea improvement. Cowpea growers and breeders could consider erect accessions (IT93K-452-1 and IT98K-205-8) and semi-erect accessions (IT99K-573-1-1 and IT08K-150-27) for cultivation at 133,333 plants ha-1 and prostrate accessions (IT89KD-288 and DANILA) at 99,999 plants ha-1 at Minjibir. The accession IT93K-452-1-1, IT98-205-8, IT99K-573-1-1 and IT08K-150-27 could be considered for cultivation at Shika, irrespective of plant density
Stewardship Manual: A guide to regulatory management for meaningful impact
No full textThe International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) plays a pivotal role in addressing global food security by advancing rice science and innovation. Stewardship at IRRI is a critical framework that ensures sustainable and ethical management of the institute’s resources, research outputs and partnerships.
As an organization committed to empowering communities and improving livelihoods, IRRI’s stewardship principles revolve around:
1. Sustainability - Promoting agricultural practices that preserve ecosystems while boosting productivity.
2. Accountability - Ensuring transparency and responsibility in research, development and dissemination of innovations.
3. Equity - Enhancing inclusivity by prioritizing marginalized farmers and ensuring that benefits reach those in need.
4. Collaboration - Fostering partnership with governments, private sector and stakeholders to amplify impact.
Through its stewardship initiatives, IRRI safeguards the ethical use of its resources and technologies while addressing critical challenges like climate change, food insecurity and poverty. IRRI remains steadfast in its mission to create a more resilient, sustainable and equitable food system for all