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Post-intervention outcomes in farmer behaviour and crop diversification in Dinajpur, Bangladesh
No full textCrop production is highly rice-centric in Bangladesh and, although economically rational, is risky and arguably unsustainable (1). Crop diversification emerged as an important strategy for achieving sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh (2). On-farm trials were conducted to evaluate new cropping patterns in the Dinajpur district and promote crop diversification among smallholder farmers. This brief summarizes the results from post-intervention outcomes in farmer behavior covering a) preferred cropping patterns among farmers; b) perceived benefits, challenges, and transaction costs of crop diversification, and c) market awareness among trial farmers. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys involving on-farm trail farmers in the Dinajpur district.26 page
Stakeholder perceptions on potential of irrigation to adapt to climate change in mixed farming systems of the Mid-Hills of Nepal: Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping study with farmers, extension and researchers– Summary Report
No full text17 page
Origin and evolution of the bread wheat D genome
No full textBread wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a globally dominant crop and major source of calories and proteins for the human diet. Compared with its wild ancestors, modern bread wheat shows lower genetic diversity, caused by polyploidisation, domestication and breeding bottlenecks1,2. Wild wheat relatives represent genetic reservoirs, and harbour diversity and beneficial alleles that have not been incorporated into bread wheat. Here we establish and analyse extensive genome resources for Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii), the donor of the bread wheat D genome. Our analysis of 46 Ae. tauschii genomes enabled us to clone a disease resistance gene and perform haplotype analysis across a complex disease resistance locus, allowing us to discern alleles from paralogous gene copies. We also reveal the complex genetic composition and history of the bread wheat D genome, which involves contributions from genetically and geographically discrete Ae. tauschii subpopulations. Together, our results reveal the complex history of the bread wheat D genome and demonstrate the potential of wild relatives in crop improvement.848–85
Maize Seed Marketing Workshop. Delivering genetic innovations to farmers: Challenges and opportunities for accelerated varietal turnover
No full textThe workshop focused on solutions to increase the adoption of new crop varieties, particularly in the context of maize. It explored how different stakeholders—from seed companies and agro-dealers to farmers and policymakers—can collaborate to increase varietal turnover in the agricultural sector. The event brought together experts and professionals from various sectors involved in seed production, distribution, and research, to address critical challenges and explore opportunities. During the workshop, experts presented findings from research in which various solutions to increase varietal turnover were tested. This served as a basis for discussions, which covered topics including product life cycle management, seed marketing, farmer preferences, and the role of gender in agricultural innovations. The forum, held on November 21, 2024, at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, provided a platform for stakeholders to share insights, discuss solutions, and seek alignment on strategies to improve production and adoption of new seed varieties. The event was designed to foster collaboration between sector players, providing an opportunity for constructive dialogue on enhancing seed productivity while ensuring sustainability and food security.16 page
Alternative management practices allowing for sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems with small ruminants in Northern Ghana
No full text18 page
Increasing productivity and profitability: Evaluating diverse cropping systems. A field study in Chapainawabganj District in Bangladesh
No full textThe Barind Tract in Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh, covers 128,342 hectares (DAE, 2023) and faces severe agroecological challenges, including high temperatures, low soil moisture retention, and erratic rainfall. The region’s poorly drained, low-organic soils are prone to drought, limiting crop productivity (Ali et al., 2018). To address these issues, a participatory research trial (2022–2023) tested diversified and climate-resilient cropping systems against traditional practices. This brief summarizes key findings on productivity and economic efficiency, offering sustainable solutions for improving agricultural outcomes in this climate-sensitive region.18 page
The CIMMYT Australia ICARDA Germplasm Evaluation concept: a model for international cooperation and impact
No full textBread wheat germplasm is accessed from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) by Australian wheat breeders and researchers through the CIMMYT Australia ICARDA Germplasm Evaluation (CAIGE) program. The CAIGE program coordinates the selection, importation, quarantine, dissemination, and evaluation of the imported bread wheat germplasm and the management of associated data and information. This paper describes the CAIGE model and assesses both the genetic and economic impacts of these materials on the Australian wheat industry after commercialisation of wheat breeding in the early 21st century and the establishment of CAIGE. The CAIGE concept was validated using data collected and analysed from multi-environment trials between 2017 and 2020. The impact of cultivars with and without CAIGE contribution to pedigree on yield was estimated using production-by-variety statistics. Net gain in yield, estimated as the yield difference between CAIGE and Non-CAIGE varieties, was multiplied by the percentage contribution to pedigree to estimate the additional yield. The CAIGE bread wheat program identified diverse, high-yielding, and disease-resistant germplasm and significantly improved the capture and dissemination of information. The benefit-cost ratio, calculated as the sum of benefits divided by investments, indicated that, for every dollar invested in CAIGE, a further $20 was generated in benefits. The internal rate of return was estimated at 163% and the modified rate at 18%. The benefits of these international materials to Australian wheat breeding remained significant
Exploring the potential of triticale lines for bioethanol production
No full textAim: Triticale is a well adaptable crop, tolerant of disease and abiotic stresses, and able to grow with good yields even in poor soil, thus representing a good choice to develop a new industrial agri-chain in Italy in a sustainability contest, to cope with its soil problems due to incoming desertification. Methods: Two triticale elite lines were grown in marginal lands in controlled field experiments. The lines were harvested at two different development stages, namely green mass and seeds, and suitable standard protocols were applied to test their potential to produce bioethanol in line with the emerging bioenergy processes. Results: The protocols applied were able to obtain bioethanol with a good yield from both feedstocks. In particular, very efficient fermentation kinetics was observed using seed feedstock, with a sharp curve between 15 h and 24 h, reaching 84% of the total alcohol obtained (final time 72 h). Conclusions: Therefore, the results of this research point to new sustainable potential for industrial applications of triticale crops in Italy. Furthermore, the high activity of the endogenous amylolytic enzymes, mainly α-amylase, and the high starch content suggest the potential use of triticale in other industrial applications, like the brewing industry.13–2