Explore

CAPSHA Innovation Challenge Offers Grants for Agricultural Partnerships

CAPSHA Innovation Challenge Offers Grants for Agricultural Partnerships

The CAPSHA South-South Collaboration Innovation Pitch Challenge 2026 is offering grants of up to USD 15,000 to support innovative agricultural capacity-sharing partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized under the CGIAR Capacity Sharing (CapSha) Accelerator, the challenge promotes equitable partnerships and shared knowledge creation. The initiative encourages institutions to collaborate as equal partners to generate sustainable innovations in agricultural research, extension, education, and innovation systems. The challenge aims to strengthen food, land, and water systems by supporting projects that address climate change, food insecurity, and other global challenges.

IFC Launches SME Growth Accelerator to Boost Small and Medium Enterprises

IFC Launches SME Growth Accelerator to Boost Small and Medium Enterprises

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has introduced the SME Growth Accelerator 2026, a program designed to help high-potential small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) scale their operations and enter new markets. The initiative offers a combination of working capital, technical assistance, mentorship, business advisory support, and access to financing networks. The program targets SMEs in sectors such as agritech, agribusiness, food processing, and climate-smart agriculture, encouraging them to develop innovative solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability.

Reviving Indigenous Crops: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

Reviving Indigenous Crops: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

Reviving Indigenous Crops: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

China's Desert-Control Expertise Offers Global Solutions for Land Restoration

China's Desert-Control Expertise Offers Global Solutions for Land Restoration

China's expertise in combating desertification is providing valuable insights to countries worldwide facing similar ecological challenges. The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, once threatened by desertification, has become a model for ecological restoration through decades of effort. The China-Central Asia desertification prevention and control cooperation center, established in 2025, facilitates technical exchanges and joint research, helping other nations adapt China's successful techniques. Notably, the straw checkerboard method, which stabilizes sand dunes and promotes vegetation growth, has gained international attention. However, experts emphasize the need for tailored approaches based on local conditions.

WHO and Gates Foundation Enhance Immunization Efforts Amid Complex Global Health Landscape

WHO and Gates Foundation Enhance Immunization Efforts Amid Complex Global Health Landscape

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are actively involved in strengthening immunization programs across various regions, including Africa and Asia. The WHO is focusing on enhancing immunization systems in Ukraine, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among other countries. These efforts include improving vaccine management, cold chain logistics, and addressing vaccine hesitancy. The Gates Foundation is supporting initiatives to interrupt poliovirus transmission and improve routine immunization coverage. These activities are part of a broader strategy to combat infectious diseases and improve public health outcomes globally.

United Nations Hosts Regional Dialogue on Future Leadership

United Nations Hosts Regional Dialogue on Future Leadership

The United Nations is conducting a regional dialogue focused on the future leadership of the organization, specifically targeting candidates from Latin America and the Caribbean for the position of UN Secretary-General. This forum is part of a broader initiative to engage with regional stakeholders and discuss the role of these regions in the global agenda. The dialogue is set to provide a platform for candidates to present their vision and for participants to deliberate on the future direction of the UN. This event is part of the UN's ongoing efforts to ensure diverse representation and inclusive decision-making processes within its leadership structure.

Agricultural Expansion Drives Deforestation, Impacting Food Security and Natural Habitats

Agricultural Expansion Drives Deforestation, Impacting Food Security and Natural Habitats

The primary driver of deforestation in the 21st century has been the expansion of agriculture, particularly for palm oil plantations. This expansion has led to significant forest loss, impacting food security and natural habitats. Efforts to curb deforestation include corporate commitments from food companies and certification schemes like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, driven by campaigns from non-governmental organizations and public pressure. Over the last two decades, the world has cut down forests at a rate of roughly one Costa Rica per year. The largest driver of deforestation has been the expansion of agriculture. This has been true for millennia, and it remains the case today. A recent study, published in Nature Food by Chandrakant Singh and Martin Persson, answered this question.

Sargassum Seaweed Plagues Florida and Caribbean Beaches

Sargassum Seaweed Plagues Florida and Caribbean Beaches

Sargassum seaweed, a naturally occurring brown algae, is disrupting beachgoers across Florida and the Caribbean this summer. According to NOAA, sargassum originates near the Amazon River and is carried by the Gulf Stream to the Atlantic Coast and Caribbean islands. Onshore winds exacerbate the issue, causing the seaweed to pile up on beaches, rot, and emit a foul odor. This year, the phenomenon is particularly severe, with NOAA's Daily Sargassum Inundation Risk tool showing high-risk areas across southern Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach County, as well as popular Caribbean destinations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and Jamaica. However, not all beaches are affected equally, as leeward sides of islands tend to experience less accumulation.

World Food Programme Expands Food Safety and Quality Assurance in Latin America

World Food Programme Expands Food Safety and Quality Assurance in Latin America

The World Food Programme (WFP) is enhancing its Food Safety and Quality Assurance (FSQA) efforts across the Latin America and Caribbean region. The initiative is led by a Regional Food Safety & Quality Assurance Officer based in Panama City, who reports to the Chief of the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Unit in Rome. This role involves providing technical guidance and leadership to support country offices in managing food safety and quality risks. The FSQA approach is integrated into WFP's supply chain, ensuring compliance with food safety standards from sourcing to distribution. The program supports various activities, including emergency response, school feeding, and local food procurement, across 15 countries in the region.

CGIAR Appoints Former Ethiopian Prime Minister as New Board Chair to Enhance Agricultural Solutions

CGIAR Appoints Former Ethiopian Prime Minister as New Board Chair to Enhance Agricultural Solutions

CGIAR has appointed H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, as the Chair of its Board, effective August 1, 2026. Hailemariam brings a wealth of experience in agricultural policy reform and multilateral climate negotiations to the role. His appointment is seen as a pivotal moment for CGIAR, which aims to scale science-based solutions across food, land, and water systems. During his tenure as Prime Minister from 2012 to 2018, Hailemariam expanded agricultural research and extension systems, benefiting millions of smallholder farmers. He also served as Chairperson of the African Union and was a lead negotiator at the Paris Climate Change conference (COP21). The CGIAR Board, established on June 15, 2026, comprises Board Chairs from 12 CGIAR research centers and six independent members, tasked with governance and strategic oversight of the organization.

OECD Launches 2027 Research Programme to Tackle Global Food Security and Sustainability Challenges

OECD Launches 2027 Research Programme to Tackle Global Food Security and Sustainability Challenges

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has announced the opening of applications for its Co-operative Research Programme (CRP) for Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems 2027. This initiative aims to support international research efforts addressing critical global challenges such as food security, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The programme offers funding through individual research fellowships and international conference sponsorships, encouraging collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The CRP focuses on three main themes: managing natural capital, strengthening resilience against multiple risks, and transformational technologies and innovation. Researchers are invited to apply for short-term fellowships to conduct international research visits or organize scientific events that align with these themes.

Climate Change May Alter Malaria Distribution in Africa

Climate Change May Alter Malaria Distribution in Africa

A study suggests that climate change could lead to the eradication of malaria in West and Central Africa by the end of the century. The research indicates that extreme heat may make these regions uninhabitable for malaria-carrying mosquitoes, potentially reducing malaria cases. However, the study also warns that malaria could become more prevalent in cooler regions of Africa, where mosquitoes may thrive as temperatures rise. This shift in malaria distribution highlights the complex relationship between climate change and infectious diseases.