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Connecting the dots: Rethinking farming systems to deliver multiple services
Augusto Castro-Nunez
During a recent planning meeting for the Alliance’s Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) team, I shared a reflection from a field visit to Zambia’s Copperbelt region, which sits on the border region between northern Zambia and the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo…
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The power behind a fruit: Bringing chayote to Colombians’ tables
Erika Eliana Mosquera Echeverry
Could a fruit often considered “pig feed” or “crop residue” improve nutrition, protect biodiversity, generate income for farming households, and strengthen cultural identity? Discover here the case of chayote or guatila (Sechium edule) in Colombia…
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From paper to practice: How a simple idea is transforming food systems across the Mekong
Tuyen Huynh, Quoc Nguyen, Mark Lundy
On March 18, 2026, researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT took the stage at the Asian Development Bank's Asia and Pacific Food Systems Forum in Manila to make a pointed argument to national policymakers and development finance officials: the world does…
profile
Camilo Barrios-Pérez
Research Specialist in Agroclimatic Modeling - Leader of the Agroclimatic Modeling Team
Camilo Barrios-Pérez is a Research Specialist in Agroclimatic Modeling for the Climate Action Lever at the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). He is based in Cali, Colombia, where he leads the agroclimatic modeling team. Camilo is an Agricultural Engineer by training and holds both an MSc and a PhD in Agricultural Sciences. His work focuses on…
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Catalina Ramos Orozco
Catalina Ramos Orozco is an economist in the Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) program, with experience in data analysis and management, including data cleaning, validation, and database structuring for evidence generation. She uses tools such as R and Stata for quantitative analysis.
Her work focuses on Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment (MELIA), where she supports indicator tracking, data quality assurance, and the development of analytical inputs that strengthen evidence-based decision-…
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Gender and social inclusion matter for agrobiodiversity
Marlène Elias, Amelia Arreguín Prado
On May 21, 2025, a global group of actors from academia, policymaking and civil society delivered a compelling session on 'Agrobiodiversity for Gender and Social Inclusion' at the 3rd International Agrobiodiversity Congress in Kunming, China. Far from a side conversation, this session made the case that gender and…
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Preserving tradition, enhancing livelihoods: Stories of two farmers from Rajasthan, India
Jai Rana
Sonal Dsouza
In the heart of the Indian state of Rajasthan, two farmers - Devaram from Jeoli village, Nechwa, and Hanumana Ram from Sulkhaniya village, Ratangarh - are leading the way in conserving traditional landraces of pearl millet. With support from the United Nations Environment Programme, the…
region
Colombia
Our Mission in Colombia
Colombia is home to our regional office of the Alliance for the Americas, a cutting-edge research and innovation center that drives the country's inclusive agricultural development through science-based solutions and the development of new technologies, methods and knowledge.
For more…
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Lo que no sabemos de John Miles
Sylvia Pineda
Este escrito es sobre un brillante científico que se retira del CIAT después de trabajar como fitomejorador del programa de forrajes tropicales durante 37 años. En varias oportunidades le insistí a John Williams Miles para que me diera una cita y así entrevistarlo, pero su respuesta fue no.
Me lo encontré dos veces caminando por los pasillos…
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An exploration of the dimensions, roles, and barriers to women's empowerment in livestock farming in Colombia
Ana María Mesa
In the municipality of La Montañita, Caquetá, women rise before dawn to care for livestock, process milk, and manage household chores. Their days are long, their responsibilities many, yet their contributions as livestock farmers are often overlooked..…
profile
Nicolas Roux
Principal Scientist
Nicolas Roux, a Belgian national, joined the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in 2003. As Principal Scientist, he is based in Montpellier, France and coordinates the Global Musa Genetic Resources Network (MusaNet). He also oversees work done in high value crops including research along the value chain of tropical fruits and nuts.
Within the CGIAR Genebanks Initiative, Nicolas is leader of WP4 dealing with partnership with National Agricultural Research System…
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Sean Mattson
Global Communications Officer
Sean Mattson began his journalism career in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1999. He worked for several media outlets, including The Guadalajara Reporter, and was the San Antonio Express-News’s last correspondent in Mexico. In 2008, he joined Thomson Reuters as a correspondent covering Panama and Central America. Mattson reported on Mexico’s incipient drug war in the early 2000s, the Pasta de Conchos mine disaster in 2006, the 2009 coup in Honduras, human rights violations,…
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Teresa Borelli
Scientist I
Teresa is a scientist providing research support to the Food Environment and Consumer Behavior research program. She has over 20 years’ experience working within the CGIAR system on research and development of sustainable agri-food systems in low and middle-income countries.
Over the years, she has acquired a cross-disciplinary set of skills spanning from soil biology, agroforestry, agrobiodiversity and crop wild relatives’ conservation, food security and dietary diversity as well as…
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Lara Barangé
Assistant, Digital Content Production
No longer working with the Alliance
On
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Edith Mutui
Senior Communications Analyst
No longer working with the Alliance
On