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Safeguarding native seeds and rebuilding local seed systems in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes
Almost a year after two earthquakes devastated parts of Nepal, find out how a Seed Recovery Programme in 10 of the 14 most-affected districts is working with farmers to rescue and safeguard rare native seeds that are essential for food security. Bhuwon Sthapit and Devendra Gauchan report.…
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Stepping it up for gender equality at Bioversity International
On the occasion of the International Women's Day, which this year urges us to pledge for gender parity and equal rights for all, Bioversity International has launched its Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy.
On the occasion of the International Women's Day, which this year urges us to pledge for gender parity and equal rights for all, Bioversity…
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Tips for communicating research findings to women and men
Communicating research in gender-responsive ways is an important part of Bioversity International's gender research activities. In light of International Women's Day, we launch 12 tips for effectively communicating research findings to women and men.
Communicating research in gender-responsive ways is an important part of Bioversity International's…
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Agricultural biodiversity to manage risks and empower the poor
Proceedings are now available from an International Conference held in Rome in 2015 to launch the IFAD and EU supported Initiative ‘Linking agrobiodiversity value chains, climate adaptation and nutrition: Empowering the poor to manage risk’.
Proceedings are now available from an International Conference held in Rome in April 2015 to launch the…
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Access to Seeds – why seed companies need to bridge the gap to reach smallholder farmers
In this month’s blog, Ann Tutwiler, Director General, Bioversity International, focuses on the first Access to Seeds Index published last week, which ranks private sector seed companies on their efforts to reach smallholder farmers.
In this month’s blog, Ann Tutwiler, Director General, Bioversity International,…
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BBC Radio 4 highlights why crop diversity matters for feeding India
BBC Radio 4's Food Programme this week interviews Bioversity International scientist Stefano Padulosi. He explains why bringing back 'forgotten' traditional foods like millets is vital when it comes to a food-secure future for India, predicted to become the world's most populous country by 2022.
BBC Radio 4's Food Programme this week features…
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Scientists race to halt banana catastrophe
Scientists, including Bioversity International banana specialists, are scrambling to find a cure for a devastating fungus that threatens to wipe out the global banana trade and plunge millions of farmers into poverty, reports a recent SciDevNet blog post.
Scientists, including Bioversity International banana specialists, are scrambling to find a cure for a…
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Free book - Community seed banks
The book 'Community Seed Banks: Origins, Evolution and Prospects' is now free to download from our website. The book includes a global review of community seed bank development and many case studies.
Community Seed Banks: Origins, Evolution and Prospects is the latest book in the 'Issues in Agricultural Biodiversity' series to be made available to download for…
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Ethiopian wheat offers unique source of diversity for weathering climate change
A pioneering study by Scuola Sant’Anna, Bioversity International and partners has revealed that Ethiopian durum wheat is a fresh source of genetic diversity that could allow to create climate change resilient varieties.
A pioneering analysis of selected varieties of Ethiopian durum wheat has revealed a fresh source of genetic…
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Mining banana biodiversity to reduce vitamin A deficiencies in East Africa
In this month’s DG Dialogues, M. Ann Tutwiler, Director General, Bioversity International, explains how swapping one variety of the most consumed food crops in a diet for another can make all the difference when it comes to delivering the critical minerals and vitamins needed for growth and development.
In this month’s DG…
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Why community action to improve nutrition in Kenya includes a side order of termites
Julia Boedecker, Associate Scientist, Bioversity International, writes her latest blog from Vihiga County, Kenya, about our ongoing research to empower communities there to better use available agricultural biodiversity to improve nutrition all year round.
Julia Boedecker, Associate Scientist, Bioversity International…
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Enhancing benefits for smallholders across biodiverse value chains
In conversation with Dietmar Stoian, Principal Scientist, Value Chains and Private Sector Engagement, on why supporting smallholders in business organization and development in diverse value chains for agricultural and tree products is an essential driver of sustainable development.
In conversation with Dietmar Stoian, Principal Scientist,…
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Tree genetic diversity is key to success for forest restoration projects
Projects designed to return degraded land to natural forest, with associated improvements in ecological function and biodiversity, rightly focus on native tree species. Recent research suggests that a deeper level of ecological awareness and a more nuanced approach to tree selection could help attain the desired outcome of resilient, self-sustaining forest…
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Putting nutrition data to work in the community
Jessica Raneri sends her fourth blog from Vietnam, where we are working with local communities to improve nutrition through dietary diversity.
In the fourth of her blog reports from Vietnam, Jessica Raneri, Nutrition Programme Specialist, explains some of the emerging findings from research in the Mai Son district in Son La Province, to assess local food…
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Farmer-friendly method controls banana Xanthomonas wilt disease
Bioversity International, IITA, ILAC and RTB are promoting a simple approach to bring this devastating banana disease under control while saving labour and money.
Livelihoods in East and Central Africa are seriously threatened by Xanthomonas wilt, a disease that attacks bananas causing up to 100% yield loss and severely damaging the livelihoods…
