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CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology, Kenya, 2022-2024. End of initiative key messages
No full textA redesign of food systems is urgently required to achieve ecological, economic and social sustainability. Agroecology offers a transformative pathway integrating sustainable and resilient agricultural practices with enhanced agency for farmers and food system actors, particularly women and youth. While agroecological solutions exist at the farm level, scaling them to broader food, land and water (FLW) systems remains challenging due to insufficient evidence, misaligned policies, inadequate capacities, and limited financial mechanisms.
The objective of the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology (AE-I) was to address these barriers by generating evidence on the transformative potential of agroecology and identifying institutional innovations. By testing
approaches in so-called agroecological living landscapes (ALLs) in Burkina Faso, India, Kenya, Lao PDR, Peru, Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe, the AE-I aimed to identify, test, and demonstrate replicable transition models for FLW systems in low and middle-income countries, driving large-scale transformation across the Global South.
In Kenya, the AE-I was implemented in collaboration with numerous stakeholders in two ALLs in Kiambu and Makueni Counties, including Community Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Environment Program (CSHEP), Drylands Natural Resources Centre (DNRC), Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Association Kenya (PELUM-Kenya) and Intersectoral Forum on Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology (ISFAA)
Risk assessment of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae composting for circular waste management in southern Benin
No full textInsect farming is becoming an important business in West Africa, and the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is one of the most widely farmed species. In this study, we investigated the potential risk factors, including heavy metals and pesticides, of the implementation of black soldier fly (BSF)-based technology for circular waste management in the context of Benin. The study was performed in two phases. In Phase 1, we identified and estimated the primary sources of biowaste streams suitable for BSF rearing in Benin. The study involved identifying these sources, estimating their availability, and analysing their characteristics, particularly in terms of contamination levels. In Phase 2, each identified biowaste streams was subjected to BSF larvae treatment and the levels of identified contaminants was analysed before and after the treatment, as well as some microbial contaminants such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli and yeasts and moulds. The majority of biowaste streams and derived BSF larvae were contaminated with copper, chromium, cadmium, lead, and zinc. However, the concentrations detected were below the standard limit values recommended for animal feed. Traces of pesticides were detected in all biowaste streams and derived frass. No pesticide contamination was detected in BSF larvae. Salmonella spp. was found to be the most predominant pathogenic microorganism in fresh BSF larvae as well as in the frass. We therefore recommended to sanitiInsect farming is becoming an important business in West Africa, and the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens (L.), Diptera: Stratiomyidae) is one of the most widely farmed species. In this study, we investigated the potential risk factors, including heavy metals and pesticides, of the implementation of black soldier fly (BSF)-based technology for circular waste management in the context of Benin. The study was performed in two phases. In Phase 1, we identified and estimated the primary sources of biowaste streams suitable for BSF rearing in Benin. The study involved identifying these sources, estimating their availability, and analysing their characteristics, particularly in terms of contamination levels. In Phase 2, each identified biowaste streams was subjected to BSF larvae treatment and the levels of identified contaminants was analysed before and after the treatment, as well as some microbial contaminants such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli and yeasts and moulds. The majority of biowaste streams and derived BSF larvae were contaminated with copper, chromium, cadmium, lead, and zinc. However, the concentrations detected were below the standard limit values recommended for animal feed. Traces of pesticides were detected in all biowaste streams and derived frass. No pesticide contamination was detected in BSF larvae. Salmonella spp. was found to be the most predominant pathogenic microorganism in fresh BSF larvae as well as in the frass. We therefore recommended to sanitise all BSF larvae that are intended for use in animal feed. As was demonstrated in this study, no Salmonella spp. was found in the sanitised larvae. The findings of this study will promote the establishment of safety measures in the BSF farming sector.se all BSF larvae that are intended for use in animal feed. As was demonstrated in this study, no Salmonella spp. was found in the sanitised larvae. The findings of this study will promote the establishment of safety measures in the BSF farming sector
Genomic prediction of kernel zinc concentration in multiple maize populations using genotyping-by-sequencing and repeat amplification sequencing markers
No full textEnriching of kernel zinc (Zn) concentration in maize is one of the most effective ways to solve the problem of Zn deficiency in low and middle income countries where maize is the major staple food, and 17% of the global population is affected with Zn deficiency. Genomic selection (GS) has shown to be an effective approach to accelerate genetic gains in plant breeding. In the present study, an association-mapping panel and two maize double-haploid (DH) populations, both genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and repeat amplification sequencing (rAmpSeq) markers, were used to estimate the genomic prediction accuracy of kernel Zn concentration in maize. Results showed that the prediction accuracy of two DH populations was higher than that of the association mapping population using the same set of markers. The prediction accuracy estimated with the GBS markers was significantly higher than that estimated with the rAmpSeq markers in the same population. The maximum prediction accuracy with minimum standard error was observed when half of the genotypes were included in the training set and 3,000 and 500 markers were used for prediction in the association mapping panel and the DH populations, respectively. Appropriate levels of minor allele frequency and missing rate should be considered and selected to achieve good prediction accuracy and reduce the computation burden by balancing the number of markers and marker quality. Training set development with broad phenotypic variation is possible to improve prediction accuracy. The transferability of the GS models across populations was assessed, the prediction accuracies in a few pairwise populations were above or close to 0.20, which indicates the prediction accuracies across years and populations have to be assessed in a larger breeding dataset with closer relationship between the training and prediction sets in further studies. GS outperformed MAS (marker-assisted-selection) on predicting the kernel Zn concentration in maize, the decision of a breeding strategy to implement GS individually or to implement MAS and GS stepwise for improving kernel Zn concentration in maize requires further research. Results of this study provide valuable information for understanding how to implement GS for improving kernel Zn concentration in maize
Assessment of the Quality of Evidence Supporting CGIAR Contributions to the 2022 Aspirational System Level Outcome Targets
No full textClimate, conflict and security in global livestock systems
No full textThe livestock sector is critical in sustaining livelihoods. It contributes to food security and supports economies worldwide. Livestock systems are vital sources of livelihood and income, food and nutrition and cultural identity for millions of people. However, these systems are increasingly under threat from the intertwined challenges of climate change impacts, conflict and insecurity. As the climate crisis intensifies, its impacts are felt acutely in the agricultural sector, with livestock systems being particularly vulnerable due to their dependency on climate-sensitive resources such as water and pasture. Climate security is concerned about how climate change-related risks and vulnerabilities compound existing risks and vulnerabilities in communities and with what impacts peace and security. Notably, climate change has observable negative impacts on economies, populations and resource availability and access, which may lead to displacement, making it a risk multiplier of vulnerabilities and social tensions within communities. Livestock systems are deeply intertwined with climate security, as they are both contributors and victims of climate change. The relationship between climate security and livestock systems is complex and often cyclical. On one hand, climate change poses significant threats to the viability of livestock systems, while on the other hand, livestock systems contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. This creates a feedback loop where livestock production exacerbates climate change, which then further stresses livestock systems, potentially leading to conflict and insecurity. Thus, climate change worsens ecological stressors, such as droughts, floods and desertification, which in turn fuel competition for scarce resources. This competition often leads to conflicts, especially in regions where governance is weak and traditional mechanisms for resource-sharing are eroding. These conflicts not only disrupt livestock production but also threaten broader societal stability, as they can lead to displacement, loss of livelihoods and heightened food insecurity
Retinal biosynthesis in fungi: characterization of the carotenoid oxygenase CarX from Fusarium fujikuroi
No full textThecargene cluster of the ascomyceteFusarium fujikuroiencodes two enzymes responsible for torulene biosynthesis (CarRA and CarB), an opsin-like protein (CarO), and a putative carotenoid cleaving enzyme (CarX). It was presumed that CarX catalyzes the formation of the major carotenoid inF. fujikuroi, neurosporaxanthin, a cleavage product of torulene. However, targeted deletion ofcarXdid not impede neurosporaxanthin biosynthesis. On the contrary, ΔcarXmutants showed a significant increase in the total carotenoid content, indicating an involvement of CarX in the regulation of the pathway. In this work, we investigated the enzymatic activity of CarX. The expression of the enzyme in β-carotene-accumulatingEscherichia colicells led to the formation of the opsin chromophore retinal. The identity of the product was proven by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Subsequent in vitro assays with heterologously expressed and purified CarX confirmed its β-carotene-cleaving activity and revealed its capability to produce retinal also from other substrates, such as γ-carotene, torulene, and β-apo-8′-carotenal. Our data indicate that the occurrence of at least one β-ionone ring in the substrate is required for the cleavage reaction and that the cleavage site is determined by the distance to the β-ionone ring. CarX represents the first retinal-synthesizing enzyme reported in the fungal kingdom so far. It seems likely that the formed retinal is involved in the regulation of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway via a negative feedback mechanism