The CGIAR Initiative on West and Central African Food Systems Transformation (TAFS-WCA) addresses challenges in the food systems of West and Central Africa, characterized by weak institutional arrangements, low productivity, and resource depletion. TAFS-WCA focuses on landscape management in…

As the climate heats up, the water cycle is twisting and contorting, unleashing a torrent of disruptions. More frequent, ferocious floods and droughts, unpredictable downpours, and gnawing erosion are just the tip of the iceberg. Poor water quality, disease outbreaks, and a host of uncertainties…

Policymakers in Nigeria and other countries in Africa south of the Sahara (SSA) are relying on agriculture to generate employment for the growing youth population. However, there is concern that youth engagement in agricultural production is declining in favor of other economic activities.  

Credit allows borrowers to access funds required to make an investment before returns materialize. For smallholder farmers, who must invest in agricultural inputs (i.e., seeds, chemicals, equipment, land, and labor) during the planting season before earning income from the sale of agricultural…

In rainfed agricultural systems, like in Lao PDR, where rainy season rainfall is a crucial water source for agricultural production, accurate prediction of the rainfall seasonality indices (onset, cessation, and LGP) is critical for agricultural planning. These indices determine the timing of…

Along the aquaculture value chain, what is the status of gender equality and women’s empowerment with a particular emphasis on aquaculture? What can be done to bring about gender equality and women’s empowerment in the aquaculture sector? This article explores these questions through a…

The purpose of this report is to describe work presented and discussions resulting from an event jointly convened by the CGIAR Research Initiative on Fragility, Conflict, and Migration (FCM) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Abuja, Nigeria on May 11, 2023. The event…

Women’s equal participation and leadership in political and public life can boost a country’s long-run economic growth, foster social inclusion, and help countries reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Beyond these important outcomes, women’s inclusion in public life is a…

Cowpea is a multifaceted crop; however, considerable challenges affect the production of this crop despite its comparatively better adaptation to harsh environments. Most smallholder farmers in West Africa cultivate this crop in intercropping systems where its low plant population does not allow…

This paper presents the findings from an experimental study designed to assess the impacts of one-time large lump sum cash transfers on welfare and coping strategies of smallholders in climate-risk and conflict-affected communities in northeast Nigeria. This pilot intervention was supported by…

This study investigated the trait preferences for cassava in the context of climate change and conflict stressors among value-chain actors in Nigeria to strengthen social inclusion and the community-resilience outcomes from breeding programs. Multi-stage sampling procedures were used to select…

The second phase of the Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA II) project was implemented through a strong collaboration between research and private sector. Private seed companies were provided with a wide variety of training and development activities on good…