Agroecosystems and Sustainable Landscapes
CIAT and partners focus on soil and land restoration in Paraguay
There is a first time for everything, as the saying goes. And for CIAT´s Soils Research Area, the project “Confronting the challenges of smallholder farming communities: Restoration of degraded agroecosystems,” provided the entry point for a new effort in Paraguay to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder producers through restoration of soils and landscapes that are degraded, and conservation of those that are still in good health.
CIAT’s research boosts development of Nicaragua’s livestock sector
To share experiences that will increase the productivity of Nicaragua’s livestock sector and improve the quality and efficiency of the country’s cattle production, the Nicaraguan Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA) organized the “First International Congress on Challenges and Opportunities to Increase National Livestock Productivity” in Managua.
How to move beyond technology in ‘sustainable intensification’
This blog, co-authored by Saurabh Arora, was first published on the STEPS Centre website. Sustainable Intensification (SI) promises more food from the same amount of land, while minimizing pressure on the environment. In Sub-Saharan Africa, considerable research and...
Trees on agricultural land sink four times more carbon
Trees grown on agricultural land significantly contribute to global carbon budgets, say authors in this recent study.
Seeing is believing: the impact of soil management
For over a decade, CIAT has tested agronomic and soil management practices in Western Kenya. From minimum tillage to integrated soil fertility management, two trials, established in 2003, are the most comprehensive picture of tropical soil health that we have in...
Providing game-changing technologies to help farmers better manage their soil and water resources
Across Africa, poor soils and widespread soil degradation are limiting growth in agricultural production and threatening the viability of food systems. Yet healthy soils are vital to maintaining food security, whole-farm productivity and smallholder incomes. Healthy...
Dr Edgar Amézquita Collazos: His legacy is fundamental to the advance of agriculture in Colombia
We regretfully announce that Dr Edgar Amézquita Collazos, CIAT Soil Scientist, passed away on Friday, 17 June 2016, in Cali.
Less talk more action, special issue: it’s time to save our soils
This new special issue focusing on soils presents soil management options which preserve the soil’s health, while allowing farmers to intensify their production and profits in an environmentally sound and climate-smart fashion.
Africa RISING: Finding solutions to tackle drought
By Lulseged Tamene When farmers in Ethiopia’s Tigray province made a desert bloom again, their efforts inspired hundreds of farmers to do the same, attracting global attention. The experience successful farmers have gained in restoring degraded land is impressive. But...
More tools for Colombian rice producers to face climate challenges by 2030
When talking about agriculture, year 2030 is closer than it seems, especially when rice production is at risk in a country such as Colombia, where only in 2014, 1,758,739 tons were harvested and per-capita consumption reached 39.62 kg a year.
Among the effects associated with climate change, there is changing rainfall patterns and reduced water availability, a natural resource in high demand when growing irrigated rice. This, along with the commitment to reducing 20% of GHG emissions by 2030 that Colombia made during the last Conference of the Parties (COP21) held in Paris in December 2015, make it even more imperative to find alternatives that are sustainable for producers as well as the environment.
Marcela Quintero
Director, Agroecosystems and Sustainable Landscapes (ASL) Research Area
M.quintero@cgiar.org