Climate week London and agricultural research for development

20-28 June 2026. During London Climate Action Week 2026, agricultural research for development featured prominently in discussions on climate resilience, food security, sustainable finance, and science partnerships. While the week comprised more than 1,000 events across London, only a limited number focused specifically on agricultural research and innovation. The principal sessions are summarized below.

25/06 The Power of Partnerships: Harnessing UK Agricultural Science for Climate Resilience and Food Security

Organisers: CGIAR, UK-CGIAR Centre and CABI

Content
This high-level panel explored how partnerships between UK research institutions, CGIAR, governments and national partners can accelerate the translation of agricultural research into development outcomes. The discussion focused on scaling climate-smart innovations, strengthening food security, supporting smallholder farmers, and ensuring that research generates practical impact through equitable international collaboration. Particular attention was given to linking UK scientific excellence with local innovation systems across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Speakers

• Ismahane Elouafi – keynote speaker on the role of CGIAR partnerships in climate-resilient food systems.
• Nitya Rao – Professor of Gender and Development; discussed inclusive and gender-responsive
  agricultural transformation.
• Tim Willis – provided a UK government and development cooperation perspective on translating research into impact.
• John Edmunds – addressed the contribution of science to evidence-based policy and resilience.
• Anjana Ahuja – science journalist and moderator of the discussion.

25/06 Africa's Climate Innovation: Where Capital Meets Reality

Organisers: Catalyst Fund, FSD Africa, Briter Bridges, BFA Global, Shell Foundation and Trafigura Foundation.

The session marked the launch of The State of Climate Tech Innovation in Africa 2.0, a report examining the realities behind climate innovation financing on the continent. 

This report was produced in partnership with Catalyst Fund , FSD Africa , and BFA Global, with funding data support from Africa: The Big Deal .

• Rather than focusing only on headline investment figures, the discussion explored which climate technologies are successfully attracting capital, where ventures struggle to scale, and the types of financing,
  partnerships and ecosystem support required at different stages of business growth. 
• 
  The event brought together investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), entrepreneurs, philanthropies, corporates and policymakers to discuss practical pathways for accelerating climate innovation across Africa. 
• In this keynote presentation, Nijhad Jamal unpacks the evolving state of climate tech in Africa, exploring how founders, investors, and fund managers are navigating an increasingly complex investment landscape.

2. Climate Innovation Forum

Date: 22 June 2026
Organiser: Climate Action

Content
Several sessions examined the transformation of food systems through research, innovation and investment. Discussions focused on regenerative agriculture, nature-positive food production, climate finance for agriculture, low-carbon supply chains, digital technologies, and public-private partnerships needed to scale agricultural innovations. Food system resilience was presented as a cornerstone of achieving both climate mitigation and adaptation goals.

Representative speakers
The forum brought together ministers, international organizations, investors, agribusiness leaders and research organizations, including representatives from CGIAR, multinational food companies, financial institutions and climate innovation networks. Rather than dedicated agriculture-only panels, agricultural research was integrated into broader discussions on sustainable investment and resilient food systems.

3. Climate and the Future of Health

Date: 22 June 2026
Organiser: The Conduit

Content
This flagship event examined how climate change affects nutrition, food security and public health. Several discussions highlighted the importance of agricultural research in developing climate-resilient crops, improving diets, strengthening sustainable food systems and reducing the health impacts of extreme weather. The event emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration between agriculture, nutrition and health research communities.

Overall relevance for Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D)

Across London Climate Action Week 2026, four consistent messages emerged for the agricultural research community:

• Partnerships between international research organizations, national agricultural research systems, universities and governments are essential for translating scientific discoveries into development impact.
• Climate-resilient food systems require continued investment in agricultural R&D, innovation, and locally adapted technologies for smallholder farmers.
• Research alone is insufficient—effective implementation depends on finance, policy support and equitable partnerships that enable innovations to reach farmers at scale.
• Food systems are central to climate action, linking agricultural productivity, biodiversity, nutrition, health and economic resilience in the lead-up to COP31.

The growing investment potential of the organic fertilizer sector in Africa

25 June 2026. The Monthly Talks on Agroecology webinar focused on the growing investment potential of the organic fertilizer sector in Africa as a strategic component of the continent's agroecological transition. Drawing on a recent study by the Food and Agriculture Organization Investment Centre, experts presented evidence from Senegal, Tanzania, and Kenya demonstrating that organic fertilizers can improve soil health, increase resilience to climate change, and reduce dependence on imported synthetic fertilizers. 

The webinar emphasized that the rapid growth of livestock production, agro-processing, and municipal organic waste streams creates significant opportunities for developing profitable circular bioeconomy businesses based on compost, manure, biofertilizers, and other organic soil amendments.

The presentations examined the commercial dimensions of the sector, including the current and projected market size for organic fertilizers, emerging business models adopted by producers and distributors, investment requirements, access to finance, and the importance of quality assurance and certification. 

Speakers highlighted that while demand for sustainable soil fertility solutions is increasing across Africa, investors continue to face constraints such as fragmented supply chains, inconsistent product standards, limited technical capacity, and insufficient policy support. The discussion therefore proposed recommendations to strengthen enabling policies, improve regulatory frameworks, expand financing mechanisms, and encourage private-sector participation in scaling locally produced organic fertilizers.

• 
  A practical policy perspective was provided by Moses Abukari, IFAD Regional Programme Manager, who presented European Union-funded initiatives that promote farmers' access to fertilizers through electronic voucher (e-voucher) systems while progressively encouraging a shift toward organic and integrated nutrient management. 

The webinar concluded that investment in organic fertilizers is not only an environmental opportunity but also an economic one, capable of creating rural enterprises, improving soil fertility, strengthening food system resilience, and advancing agroecological food systems across Africa. By linking public investment, private entrepreneurship, and farmer incentives, the session illustrated how organic fertilizer markets can contribute simultaneously to agricultural productivity, climate adaptation, and sustainable rural development.

Highlight: OFIMAK the association of organic farm inputs manufacturers in Kenya. 

The Organic Fertilizers and Input Manufacturers Association of Kenya (OFIMAK) is the national association representing manufacturers of organic fertilizers, bio-inputs, and other sustainable agricultural inputs in Kenya. 

• Established in 2023, the association seeks to accelerate the adoption of organic farm inputs by creating awareness among farmers, advocating for supportive policies, strengthening quality standards, and building partnerships with government, research organizations, development agencies, and the private sector. 
• OFIMAK's vision is to empower farmers and manufacturers to champion sustainable plant and soil health solutions, while its mission is to lead Kenya's soil health agenda through increased use of locally produced organic inputs that contribute to food security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. The association also promotes research and innovation, provides training and networking opportunities for its members, and aims to increase the share of organic farm inputs in Kenya's fertilizer market from approximately 2% to 30% within five years.
• OFIMAK has become an important platform for advancing Kenya's agroecological transition by bringing together manufacturers, researchers, regulators, and farmers around sustainable soil fertility management. The association works closely with organizations such as the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP), and government agencies to integrate organic fertilizers into national soil health strategies and extension services. 
• Its members promote circular economy approaches by converting agricultural and organic waste into high-quality composts, biofertilizers, soil conditioners, and biostimulants, thereby reducing waste, lowering agriculture's carbon footprint, and improving long-term soil productivity. Through advocacy, capacity building, and public-private collaboration, OFIMAK is positioning Kenya's organic input industry as a key contributor to resilient, low-emission, and commercially viable agrifood systems.

Transforming Agricultural Practices: In Kenya's highlands, farmers sought sustainable solutions; OFIMAK transformed practices with organic inputs, fostering environmental resilience.

Shared resources:

Ellssel, Pierre & Freyer, Bernhard & Posthumus, Helena & Hobart, Marius & Nyakanda, Fortunate & Amizero, Nadege & Abubakari, Fatimah & Saussure, Stéphanie. (2026). Exploring the state of ex situ organic fertilizer and soil amendment production: an innovation systems analysis across eleven African countries. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 10. 10.3389/fsufs.2026.1656284. 

• Many farming systems across Africa suffer from insufficient recirculation and replenishment of nutrients and organic matter, contributing to soil degradation. 
• At the same time the scant management of municipal organic waste, agro-processing residues, and human excreta creates substantial externalities. Valorizing organic waste and recycling it back to farmland could create a win-win situation.
• South Africa stands out, with multiple functions institutionalizing and reinforcing one another, characterized by pronounced private sector R&D, established entrepreneur networks and professional associations as well as recycling targets and public support of knowledge brokers. 
• Across all countries, disruptions in national and international value chains are acting as pull factors for increased experimentation, raising demand, and enhancing legitimacy. 

De Marinis, P., Ceriani, R., Rega, C., Schievano, A., Callenius, C., Alali, S., Mouratiadou, I., Rembold, F. Yield and economic performance of agroecological transitions in the Global South - A geospatially-augmented meta-analysis

• The findings show an average 14.3% increase in crop yields, a 44.5% increase in gross income, and a 36.5% reduction in production costs when applying agroecological practices.
• This study has been financially supported by DG INTPA under the Administrative Agreement on "Scientific and Technological Support to Regional Centres of Excellence related to Green Transition”.
• 
  This meta-analysis evaluates the multi-dimensional impacts of agroecological transitions on farm
  economic performance across the Global South, covering Sub-Saharan Africa, South/Southeast Asia, Latin America and Australia.
• By drawing from a database of over 350 primary studies, the research quantifies the effect of transitioning from more conventional, input-intensive farming to more integrated agroecological systems.

Freyer, Bernhard & Ellssel, Pierre & Nyakanda, Fortunate & Saussure, Stéphanie. (2024). Exploring the off-farm production, marketing and use of organic and biofertilisers in Africa - A scoping study. 10.13140/RG.2.2.14042.56004. 

• This comprehensive scoping study on the off-farm production, marketing, and use of organic and biofertilisers (OFBF) in 12 African countries reveals significant potential for improving soil health and food security. 
• It highlights the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks, quality control, and expanded circular-economy waste recycling.

Biovision Foundation. (2026). For healthy soils and plants: Building an agroecological organic fertiliser and soil amendment sector [Policy Brief]. Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development.

• Poor soil health is making it harder to grow food, adapt to climate change, and build sustainable food systems around the world. 
• From compost tea, worm tea, plant extracts, bioslurry, and animal manure to insect frass, vermicompost, bokashi, compost, biochar, and more—these locally produced soil amendments can play a key role in restoring soil health and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. 
• But to support a transition to more sustainable and agroecological food systems, they need to be part of a broader approach that values local resources, builds resilience, and avoids one-size-fits-all solutions.

RAMP - Research and Market Pathways

26 June 2026. The RAMP (Research and Market Pathways) webinar held served as the Demo Day and culmination of the six-month RAMP-Accelerate programme, an initiative of the CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP). The webinar showcased how scientific innovations developed within CGIAR and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT can move beyond traditional research projects into financially sustainable, market-driven solutions with large-scale impact. Rather than focusing solely on technology transfer, the event emphasized entrepreneurial thinking, customer validation, business model development and strategic partnerships that enable research outputs to reach farmers, agribusinesses and food system actors.

The webinar featured nine multidisciplinary innovation teams pitching their market-ready solutions to investors, development partners and agrifood industry representatives after completing intensive mentoring, coaching and market validation.

1. Cacao of Excellence: certification program for cacao - presented by Andrew Meter
2. AquaSmart: modular irrigation for smallholders - presented by Gresia Dalal Ramos
3. Croppie: coffee yield estimation - presented by Christian Bunn
4. Climate Resilience Platform: supply chain risk visualization - presented by Thuy Thanh Nguyen
5. MyFarmTrees: community tree restoration platform - presented by Fidel Chiriboga
6. Tumaini: AI disease detection for banana and bean farmers - presented by Juan Mora
7. Tatu (ex Artemis): AI-powered breeding tools - presented by Hana Gajdosova
8. Scaling Resilient Finance: climate-linked credit for livestock producers - presented by Carlos Navarro
9. Sample Earth: deforestation monitoring - presented by Phuong Minh

Each team demonstrated how scientific research had been transformed into scalable products or services with clear value propositions and pathways for adoption by public and private sector partners.

More broadly, the webinar highlighted CGIAR's evolving approach to achieving impact by combining excellent science with innovation, entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships. Speakers emphasized that research should not end with publications but should generate practical solutions capable of attracting investment, supporting start-ups and social enterprises, informing policy and reaching millions of beneficiaries. 

RAMP was presented as a structured learning pipeline—from Discover to Launch and finally Accelerate—that equips researchers with commercialisation skills while maintaining CGIAR's public-good mission. The Demo Day also illustrated how collaboration with innovation partners such as Kindling Ventures, investors and agrifood companies can help bridge the gap between scientific discovery and sustainable impact at scale.

Crop Trust Roundtable: Safeguarding Crop Diversity for Climate Resilience and Food Security

25 June 2026 in Brussels. The Crop Trust Roundtable: Safeguarding Crop Diversity for Climate Resilience and Food Security brought together representatives of the Crop Trust, the European Commission, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa, the South African Embassy to the European Union, policymakers and research partners to highlight the strategic importance of crop diversity for resilient agrifood systems. 

The meeting emphasized that crop diversity, conserved through national and international genebanks, provides the genetic resources needed to develop crop varieties capable of withstanding climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and changing nutritional demands.
Participants discussed how safeguarding these genetic resources is fundamental to ensuring long-term global food security while supporting sustainable agriculture and innovation.

A central objective of the roundtable was to position crop diversity as a strategic priority within the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034). 

Discussions explored how investment in plant genetic resources contributes to the European Green Deal, biodiversity conservation, biotechnology, and resilient food systems, while strengthening Europe's competitiveness and international partnerships. Particular attention was given to strengthening cooperation between Europe and Africa through enhanced support for genebanks, research collaboration, capacity development and agricultural innovation, recognizing that both regions face common challenges related to climate resilience and food security.

Agenda:

• Gareth Rees, Chargé D’Affaires Of South Africa to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg
• Petronella Chaminuka ARC South Africa
• Declan Kirrane, ISC and AERAP, Moderator
• Crop Diversity: A Foundation for Food Security and Resilience - Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust
• Crop Diversity and EU Strategic Priorities - Leonard Mizzi, DG International Partnerships at the  European Commission
• EU and Africa: Partnering for Food Security, Resilience and Innovation - Lebogang Madubanya, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, ARC South Africa
• Building a Coalition for Crop Diversity - Prof Michael Bairu, Principal Researcher and Research Team Manager, ARC South Africa

Beyond raising awareness, the meeting sought to generate concrete policy and partnership outcomes.
Participants aimed to contribute to a policy paper on "Crop Diversity and Europe's Strategic Future," identify opportunities to integrate crop diversity into future EU financing mechanisms, strengthen synergies across European Commission Directorates-General (including DG INTPA, DG AGRI, DG RTD and DG ENV), Member States and the European Parliament, and establish a Brussels-based coalition advocating sustained investment in crop diversity conservation. The roundtable therefore served not only as a policy dialogue but also as a platform for building long-term international cooperation around crop genetic resources as critical infrastructure for climate resilience, agricultural innovation and future food security.

International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) Joint Webinar

2–3 June 2026. The International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) successfully hosted their second joint regional webinar.

Following an overwhelming response from the global nutrition community, registration for the event filled up completely ahead of schedule.

The scientific programme was designed to facilitate dialogue across regions and disciplines, focusing specifically on moving from academic analysis to real-world policy application.

Day 1: Global Nutrition: Problems & Determinants

The first day focused on analyzing the evolving, multi-faceted burden of malnutrition across the African continent.

• Malnutrition Frameworks: Examining micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) within rapidly changing food environments.
• Targeted Interventions: Evaluating evidence-based implementation strategies, ranging from balanced energy supplements to protein formulation.

Day 2: Evidence for Actions to Address the Problems

The second day shifted toward translating research evidence into actionable solutions and policy frameworks.

• Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)
• Analyzing the rapid transformation of Africa’s food systems and identifying when research evidence should trigger policy changes.
• Food Safety Risks: Addressing critical biological and chemical safety challenges, such as the containment of mycotoxins in local crops.
• School Feeding Initiatives: Discussing the design, funding, and scaling of school meal programmes utilizing localized food systems.
• Resource Mobilization: Evaluating funding landscapes for food and nutrition research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Advancing National, Regional and Global policies for the World's most overlooked Superfoods

24 June 2026. Advancing National, Regional and Global policies for the World's most overlooked Superfoods. 37th Webinar Series of the SOCIETY FOR UNDERUTILIZED LEGUMES 

Innovations in Crop Science and Horticulture by Dr. Chiamaka Obasi, Plant breeder| data analyst| Quantitative geneticist | VACS Research Fellow at BecA-ILRI Hub, Nairobi Kenya 

Related:

This week, the first of three capacity development workshops under the VACS initiative kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya. The Data Analysis Hackathon for Opportunity Crops brought together emerging plant breeders and researchers from across Africa for hands-on training in data analytics and crop improvement.

Bambara groundnut. Finger millet. Okra. Sesame. Taro. Amaranth. Pigeon pea. These crops feed millions across Africa, yet they've long been overlooked by global research systems. The Vision for
Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) is changing that.

At the opening, Dr. Stephen Gudz, SAS Program Director at CIMMYT, put it plainly: investing in young African scientists is how we accelerate the crop innovations that food security depends on.

Organized by CIMMYT in collaboration with Cornell University and partners across the CGIAR system.

AFRICAN OPPORTUNITY CROPS WORKING GROUP

The African Opportunity Crops Working Group was established through a consultative process supported by the SUSTLIVES project, an EU-funded initiative under the DeSIRA (Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture) programme. 

Coordinated by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and CIHEAM-Bari, SUSTLIVES has been working since 2021 to strengthen seed systems, value chains, markets, and enabling policies for neglected and underutilised crops in Burkina Faso and Niger, laying important foundations for a broader continental effort.

Institutionally the Working Group belongs to the African Seed and Biotechnology Partnership Platform (ASBPP) under the African Union's African Seed and Biotechnology Programme (ASBP). SUSTLIVES/DeSIRA provided the support and enabling process for its creation, but the platform itself is an AU-led mechanism.

The ASBP was endorsed by the African Union in 2007 as a continental framework for modernising Africa's seed sector. As discussions on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and food systems resilience gained momentum, stakeholders increasingly highlighted the importance of opportunity crops in addressing these challenges. During the 5th Steering Group Meeting of the ASBPP in Nairobi in December 2024, members proposed the creation of a dedicated Working Group focused on opportunity crops. The proposal was subsequently endorsed in 2025, with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT appointed to lead the initiative alongside partners including FARA, World Vegetable Center, Crop Trust, ICRISAT, CIHEAM-Bari, PELUM, and others.

The African Opportunity Crops Working Group aims to serve as a continental hub for coordination, knowledge exchange, policy advocacy, and partnership building around opportunity crops. Its objectives range from strengthening conservation, seed systems, and research to supporting value addition, market development, regional trade, and inclusive participation of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. By bringing together researchers, gene banks, farmer organizations, policymakers, and development partners, the Working Group seeks to transform opportunity crops from overlooked resources into strategic assets for achieving the ambitions of the CAADP agenda, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and Africa's broader vision for resilient and sustainable food systems.

The African Opportunity Crops Working Group

The African Opportunity Crops Working Group brings together leading African and international organizations working on neglected and underutilised species (NUS), seed systems, crop diversity, conservation, research, and food systems transformation.

Leadership

• Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT – Lead
• Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) – Co-lead
• World Vegetable Center – Co-lead
  

Research and Crop Development

• African Orphan Crops Initiative (AOCC)
• International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
• Abdou Moumouni University (Niger)
• University Joseph Ki-Zerbo (Burkina Faso)
• Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
  

Conservation and Genetic Resources

• Crop Trust
• SADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC)
• CIHEAM-Bari
  

Farmer, Community and Food System Organizations

• Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM)
• Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT), Zimbabwe
• Slow Food International
  

Steering Committee

• FAO – International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
• Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)

AgrEcoNUS+ (Agroecology and Neglected & Underutilised Species Plus)

AgrEcoNUS+ (Agroecology and Neglected & Underutilised Species Plus) is a new multi-country initiative under the EU's DeSIRA+ programme that seeks to strengthen sustainable food systems by combining agroecology, neglected and underutilised species (NUS), and inclusive value-chain development. The project aims to improve food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods by promoting diverse, nutrient-rich crops and supporting their integration into markets and food systems.

The project builds on the experience of the earlier SUSTLIVES and CROPS4HD initiatives, which focused on conserving farmers' varieties and NUS while promoting agroecological approaches. AgrEcoNUS+ moves a step further by emphasizing sustainable value chains, market opportunities, and access to finance for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, MSMEs, and agroecological innovators. A key component is the creation of financial mechanisms to de-risk investments and attract both public and private capital into agroecological and NUS-based enterprises.

Key features

• Promotes agroecological production systems and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Supports the conservation, production, processing, and commercialization of opportunity crops/NUS.
• Develops sustainable value chains and market linkages.
• Improves access to finance through blended finance and investment mechanisms.
• Strengthens livelihoods of smallholder farmers, youth, women, cooperatives, and local enterprises. 

Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and Underutilised Crops: Rethinking Value Chains for Sustainable Food Futures

9–11 June 2026 | University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

As climate change, biodiversity loss, and malnutrition continue to challenge global food systems, researchers, practitioners, and development organizations are increasingly turning their attention to indigenous and underutilised crops (IUCs) as part of the solution. Against this backdrop, the University of Hohenheim hosted the international symposium "Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and Underutilised Crops: Rethinking Value Chains for Sustainable Food Futures" 

The symposium brought together scientists and development partners from Southern Africa and Germany to explore how neglected and underutilised crops can contribute to more resilient, nutritious, and sustainable food systems. Organized through the African-German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science (UKUDLA) and the University of Hohenheim, the event highlighted the growing recognition that future food security will require greater crop diversity and stronger support for crops that have historically received limited research and investment.

Why Indigenous and Underutilised Crops Matter

Across Africa and other regions, many indigenous crops are rich in nutrients, adapted to local agroecological conditions, and capable of thriving under climatic stresses such as drought and heat. Yet most remain marginal in research agendas, seed systems, markets, and public policy.

Throughout the symposium, speakers emphasized that these crops offer opportunities to simultaneously address climate adaptation, dietary diversity, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods. However, realizing this potential will require moving beyond production-focused approaches and investing in the entire value chain—from breeding and seed systems to processing, markets, consumer awareness, and policy support.

Extracts of the agenda

Day 1: Agroecology of Indigenous and Underutilised Crops

The first day focused on the agroecological foundations of underutilised crops and their contribution to resilient food systems.

Keynote Speakers

• Prof. Ndiko Ludidi (University of Mpumalanga)
  Using underutilised crops for food system resilience: from agroecology to human nutrition
• Prof. Dr. Simone Graeff-Hoenninger (University of Hohenheim)
  From underutilised crop to arising agronomic importance: the examples of hemp and chickpea
• Dr. Ethel Phiri (Stellenbosch University)
  From marginal to strategic: climate-resilient production systems for indigenous and underutilised crops

The discussions highlighted how crop diversity strengthens ecosystem resilience while providing nutritious food options for vulnerable communities. Speakers demonstrated how crops once considered "minor" can become strategically important under changing climatic conditions.

Day 2: Climate Resilience and Adaptation

The second day examined breeding, genetics, climate adaptation, and international efforts to promote crop diversity.

Keynote Speakers

• Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid (University of Hohenheim)
  Improving the potential of underutilised crops by plant breeding using quinoa and amaranth as examples
• Dr. Lembe S. Magwaza (Cranfield University)
  The double role of underutilised crops for climate resilience and protein supply

International Organisation Perspectives

• Nico Wilms-Posen (Crop Trust)
  Global initiatives for crop diversity
• Simone Welte (Welthungerhilfe)
  Nourishing Diversity: Unlocking the Nutritional Power of Opportunity Crops

These sessions reinforced the importance of genetic diversity and targeted breeding efforts to improve productivity and farmer adoption while maintaining the resilience traits that make these crops valuable.

The contribution from Welthungerhilfe highlighted recent evidence on "opportunity crops" such as millets, fonio, bambara groundnut, cowpea, pigeon pea, amaranth, and other neglected crops that offer significant nutrition and climate benefits.

Day 3: Creating Value Chains for Underutilised Crops

The final day shifted attention from production and adaptation to the challenge of building viable markets and sustainable value chains.

Keynote Speakers

• Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hess (University of Hohenheim)
  Market challenges for niche products
• Prof. Unathi Kolanisi (University of Zululand)
  Food innovations and consumer acceptance of underutilised crops

A recurring message throughout the symposium was that the greatest challenge facing indigenous and underutilised crops is not proving their value, but creating enabling environments for their uptake. Despite their nutritional and environmental advantages, these crops often face barriers including weak seed systems, limited processing infrastructure, poor market access, low consumer awareness, and insufficient policy support.

Participants stressed that future investments should focus on developing inclusive value chains that connect producers, processors, retailers, researchers, and consumers. Such efforts would help transform underutilised crops from niche products into meaningful contributors to sustainable food systems.

Key Messages from the Symposium

Three major conclusions emerged:

1. Indigenous and underutilised crops are critical assets for climate-resilient food systems, offering drought tolerance, biodiversity benefits, and adaptation potential that complement major staple crops.
2. Their contribution to nutrition is often greater than their current economic visibility, with many species providing superior micronutrient density and dietary diversity compared to dominant commercial commodities.
3. The future of these crops depends on value-chain development, including investment in research, breeding, seed systems, processing technologies, consumer awareness, and supportive public policies.

Looking Ahead

The symposium demonstrated growing momentum behind efforts to reposition indigenous and underutilised crops within agricultural research and development agendas. As governments, research institutions, and development organizations seek pathways toward sustainable food futures, these crops are increasingly viewed not as relics of traditional agriculture, but as strategic resources for achieving climate resilience, nutrition security, and agricultural sustainability.

The challenge now is to translate scientific evidence into coordinated action that enables farmers, consumers, and markets to realize their full potential.

AgriCord Partners' Forum 2026

4 June 2026. Nairobi. The AgriCord Partners' Forum 2026 highlighted critical strategies for agricultural development. The sessions focused on making farmers' organizations investable through inclusive finance and scaling practical, farmer-led Nature-based Solutions.

Panel 1 | Innovative & Inclusive Financing Mechanisms

This session explored how to make farmers and their organizations more visible, investable, and resilient.

Core Themes: Inclusive finance relies on building robust support systems rather than just offering cheaper loans. Farmers' organizations act as vital intermediaries that aggregate demand, build trust, reduce risk, and connect smallholders to markets. 

Key Speakers:

• 
  Steve Muchiri – Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF)
  
• Dan Higgins – International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• Mary Achini – Cooperative Bank of Kenya
• Catherine Ndirangu – Oikocredit 

Panel 2 | Scaling Nature-based Solutions for Farmers’ Organisations: What works?

This panel centered on the practical transition to sustainable food systems, keeping collaboration and farmer leadership at the heart of the movement. 

Core Themes: The focus was on identifying which Nature-based Solutions actually work on the ground and how to scale them successfully within existing farmer organization extension systems. 

Key Speakers:

• 
  Moderator: Tiina Huvio – Food and Forest Development Finland (FFD)
• Violet Nyando – Cereal Growers Association
• Confrey Mung'au Alianji, MBA – GIZ Kenya
• Marlène Ramirez – AsiaDHRRA
• Francis Odhiambo Oduor – My FarmTree / Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT 

Highlight

At 50, Daniel Saitabao has spent his life farming a modest plot in Losikito village, Tanzania. Livestock, maize, beans, but returns that rarely matched the effort.

That changed when his farmers' organisation, MVIWAARUSHA, joined the FORI programme (Farmers Organization Research-Led Innovation), funded by the European Union and Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). In a region long dominated by tobacco as a cash crop, sunflower cultivation opened an unexpected door.

Mr. Saitabao was among the first ten farmers to test it. From a single demonstration plot, he harvested 120 kilograms of sunflowers, processed into 20 liters of oil. Not just a harvest. A proof of concept that spread through the community.

Resource:

AgriCord (2026) Global Annual Report 2025, 30 p.

AgriCord’s work is defined by farmers’ priorities, co-developed and implemented with farmers’ organisations at local, national, regional and global level. Our agri-agencies provide technical support for farmers’ organisations to address constraints in production, markets, finance, governance and resilience. 

Strengthening capacities of farmers’ organisations for co-research and innovation is essential for scaling both value chain integration and resilience. It enables farmers to develop, adapt and spread locally relevant solutions, respond to changing market and climate conditions, and drive sustainable transformation from within their own organizations and networks.

FO4IMPACT is designed to strengthen smallholder farmers’ organisations as key actors in delivering long-term economic, social, climate, and environmental outcomes. 

• Funded by the European Union and administered by IFAD, the programme builds on the experience and lessons learned from the previous FO4-programme family: Farmers’ Organisations for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (FO4ACP); Asia (FO4A) and Latin America (FO4LA). 
• AgriCord co-implements FO4IMPACT with regional and continental farmers’ organisations and their members.

2nd KALRO Scientic Conference and Innovation Expo 2026

15 - 19 June 2026. The 2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo 2026 is organized around the theme “Innovations for Sustainable Agri-food Systems, Climate Change Resilience and Improved Livelihoods.” 

KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick K. Ketiem, highlighted KALRO's achievements since the last conference, including the release of new crop and livestock technologies developed for Kenyan conditions, expanded soil fertility mapping, strengthened disease surveillance systems and the development of extension materials in local languages to ensure farmers can access and understand scientific knowledge.

"Our task today, and in the years ahead, is to close the distancebetween what we have achieved in the laboratory and what farmers are experiencing in the field. Every paper presented and every innovation showcased during the conference must answer three critical questions: Does it work for the farmer? Can it scale? Can it last? The true measure of success is not the number of technologies released, but the number of farmers whose lives are transformed through their adoption". 

The programme was structured into 16 thematic tracks (subthemes) that served as the main discussion and presentation streams. These tracks brought together researchers, policymakers, private-sector actors, farmers, and development partners to explore solutions for transforming Kenya's and Africa's agri-food systems.

Conference Panels / Thematic Tracks

1. Crop Varieties, Productivity and Production Management

Focused on improved crop varieties, breeding innovations, integrated crop management, and strategies to increase productivity and resilience across different agroecological zones.

2. Sustainable Seed Systems, Quality Assurance and Scalability

Examined seed production, certification, distribution systems, and approaches to ensure farmers have access to quality seed at scale.

3. Plant Health, Emerging Crop Pests and Diseases, Biosecurity and Phytosanitary Systems

Addressed pest surveillance, diagnostics, integrated pest management, responsible pesticide use, biosecurity measures, and phytosanitary systems for market access.

4. Plant Nutrition, Soil Health and Conservation Agriculture

Explored soil fertility management, nutrient-use efficiency, conservation agriculture practices, and strategies for restoring and maintaining productive soils.

5. Water Harvesting, Conservation and Irrigation Systems

Focused on irrigation technologies, water-use efficiency, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient water management systems.

6. Ecological-Organic Farming, Renewable Energy and Circular Economy

Highlighted organic agriculture, renewable energy applications, composting, recycling, and circular economy approaches for sustainable farming.

7. Climate Change, Land Degradation and Reclamation

Discussed climate adaptation and mitigation, land restoration, carbon-smart agriculture, and resilience-building strategies.

8. Agrodiversity and Genetic Resources

Examined conservation and utilization of genetic resources, germplasm management, and the role of biodiversity in resilient food systems.

9. Animal Feed Resources, Nutrition and Husbandry Practices

Covered forage development, livestock nutrition, rangeland management, pastoral systems, and
husbandry innovations.

10. Livestock Breeds, Breeding Practices and Emerging Livestock Species

Focused on breeding programmes, genetic improvement, genotype-environment interactions, and emerging livestock opportunities.

11. Animal Health, Sanitary Systems and Emerging Livestock Diseases

Addressed vaccines, epidemiology, disease surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, zoonoses, and livestock biosecurity.

12. Apiculture, Beneficial Insects and Ecosystem Services

Explored beekeeping innovations, pollination services, insect-based enterprises, ecosystem services, and beneficial insects for food and feed.

13. Biotechnological Solutions for Agriculture and Natural Resource Management

Focused on biotechnology applications including gene editing, molecular diagnostics, biotechnology
products, and genetic engineering.

14. Food Safety, Value Addition and Cottage Industries

Examined food safety systems, post-harvest technologies, agro-processing, value addition, and small-scale agribusiness development.

15. Mechanization in Agricultural Systems

Discussed agricultural machinery, precision farming, mechanized production and processing, and innovations to reduce labour and increase efficiency.

16. Technology Transfer, Knowledge Co-Creation and ICT-Enabled Precision Systems

Focused on extension systems, innovation scaling, digital agriculture, ICT-enabled advisory services, precision agriculture, and commercialization pathways

Collaborating CGIAR centres

• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) – headquartered in Nairobi and a frequent KALRO research partner.
• International Potato Center (CIP) – active in seed systems, root and tuber crops, and climate resilience.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – involved in water management and irrigation research.
• Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) – headquartered in Nairobi and active in agroforestry, land restoration, and climate resilience.
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) – active in crop improvement and pest management across East Africa.
• Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT – engaged in genetic resources, biodiversity, seed systems, and climate-smart agriculture.
• International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) – active in maize, wheat, seed systems, mechanization, and conservation agriculture in Kenya. 

Side events

17 June 2026. AI in Agriculture: Opportunities, Implications and Risks.

The side event will focus on demystifying AI in agricultural applications, showcasing existing AI-enabled advisory solutions in Kenya, and exploring partnerships to advance trusted, localized and responsible AI advisory services for farmers, extension officers  and other agricultural actors.

19 June 2026. Artificial Intelligence meets Agribusiness

Prof. Simon W. Ndiritu from Strathmore University will answer a critical modern question: Which way for improved and sustainable food systems in the face of Artificial Intelligence? A synergy between Agribusiness, Innovating Financing and policy for Agricultural growth.

Advancing Biological Control in Asia, the Middle East and Africa: Knowledge, Practice and Partnership

11 June 2026. Promoting the awareness and use of biological control in Asia, the Middle East and Africa

As concerns grow over pesticide resistance, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and food safety, experts from more than 75 countries gathered for a regional webinar organized by CABI and the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNET). The event highlighted the growing recognition of biological control as a key component of sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. Participants explored how biological control approaches, when integrated within broader Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, can reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides while improving environmental outcomes, farmer livelihoods, and market access.

A major focus of the webinar was the role of innovation, science, and digital tools in accelerating the adoption of biological control. 

• 
  CABI showcased its PlantWise Plus programme and demonstrated the CABI BioProtection Portal, an open-access platform operating in 54 countries and 18 languages that provides information on more than 7,000 registered bioprotection products. 
• Participants also learned from a successful case study in Malaysia, where classical biological control of diamondback moth significantly reduced pesticide use in brassica production while strengthening export opportunities through lower pesticide residues: Diamondback Moth Management in Malaysia
• Country perspectives from Egypt, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia further illustrated how biological control is increasingly being incorporated into climate-smart agriculture programmes, extension services, and national sustainable agriculture strategies.

Throughout the discussions, participants emphasized that biological control is not a stand-alone solution but rather part of a broader systems approach to sustainable crop protection. Successful adoption depends on strong regulatory frameworks, quality assurance systems, effective extension services, farmer engagement, institutional support, and access to affordable biocontrol products. Digital advisory tools were identified as particularly important for helping farmers and advisers make informed decisions, while capacity development and policy harmonization were seen as critical for scaling adoption across regions. The webinar also underscored the importance of placing farmers at the centre of innovation and ensuring that solutions are adapted to local ecological and socio-economic contexts.

Looking ahead, participants identified significant opportunities for regional collaboration through joint research initiatives, regulatory harmonization, public-private partnerships, digital agriculture platforms, and South-South cooperation. There was broad agreement that scaling biological control will require coordinated action across research institutions, governments, extension systems, private companies, and farmer organizations. By fostering partnerships and sharing practical experiences, the webinar demonstrated how biological control can contribute to healthier ecosystems, safer food production, improved market access, and more resilient agricultural systems across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.