Bioversity International

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes are closely associated with accelerated soil erosion and sediment transfer to stream networks, contributing to soil fertility loss and degradation of hydrological and aquatic systems. The InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs) model was used to spatially estimate soil loss, sediment export and sediment retention across sub-basins of Godavari River. The model, suitable for data-scarce basins, was evaluated using available observed data, demonstrating satisfactory basin-scale performance (R2 = 0.83; Percent bias within ± 25%). Among the sub-basins, Indravati (11.97–8.56 MMT/yr), Wainganga (8.56–7.67 MMT/yr), Sabari (6.72–6.70 MMT/yr) and Penganga (4.76–4.28 MMT/yr) consistently exhibited the highest sediment load estimates during 2011–12 and 2021–22. Deciduous forests showed the highest modelled sediment retention potential, while cropland provided a secondary contribution to on-site sediment retention. A significant reduction in sediment export yield was observed in Kinnerasani (− 61.57%), Indravati (− 26.68%) and Wainganga (− 10.41%), whereas increases were observed in Manair (+ 54.87%), Pravara (+ 4.50%) and Kaddam (+ 2.05%). Most sub-basins were classified under moderately severe to severe erosion categories. In rainfed rivers of peninsular India, sediment export patterns were strongly associated with monsoon rainfall variability and concentration. This study evaluated sediment dynamics across 12 sub-basins of the Godavari River using a novel ‘precipitation concentration index-adjusted sediment export yield index’ (PCI adjusted SEYI). By integrating rainfall concentration patterns with sediment export estimates and precipitation-scaled soil tolerance limits, the index enables improved comparative prioritisation of tributaries for aquatic ecosystem management. Positive PCI-adjusted SEYI values in Pravara, Indravati and Sabari (2011–12) and Pravara and Sabari (2021–22), identify these sub-basins as priority areas for targeted soil and water conservation measures. The findings provide a practical framework for sub-basin-level sediment management and policy support in monsoon-dominated river basins.

ABSTRACT Sustainable Development interventions must deal with rapid and novel changes affecting complex social‐ecological systems, calling for design based on a resilience approach. However, limited analytical attention has been paid to the design settings in which such approaches are deployed. Through two intensive applications of an exemplar resilience tool, we explore its effectiveness in different design settings : a national food security project designed under a Global Environment Facility program and a community‐led project designed locally for agricultural livelihoods. Both cases affirmed the benefits of a resilience approach, opening the eyes of participants to impact pathways and response options that might otherwise be missed. However, the design setting affected the consequences for action systematically: for example, one case was constrained by donor programmatic objectives, whilst the other was not so constrained but lacked assured funding. Four key lessons indicate that donors need a systematic analysis of project design settings to achieve resilience.

Cassava is an economically important crop in Colombia, particularly along the Caribbean Coast, where major processing industries are located. Seasonality in cassava production poses a major challenge for both industry and farmers, as current commercial varieties exhibit a pronounced decline in dry matter content (DMC) when harvest is extended beyond 10–12 months after planting (MAP). To address this issue, several experimental genotypes and three commercial checks were evaluated in multi-location trials across the Caribbean Coast under several harvest ages and specially after 10, 14, and 18 MAP. Genotype SM2828-28 emerged as a promising candidate due to its adequate sprouting, plant height, first branching height, fresh root yield, and low susceptibility to root rot and lodging. A key advantage of this clone is the stability of its DMC across different harvest ages. Extending the harvest period with appropriate germplasm may increase farmers’ income and reduce the downtime of processing facilities caused by seasonal production gaps. The evidence also suggests that DMC stability is under genetic control, indicating that it can be effectively improved through targeted breeding. However, research involving extended harvest intervals poses considerable logistical challenges.

Sustainable agri-food system transformation in Africa is critical for addressing the persistent challenges of hunger and malnutrition while promoting sustainability. Here, we investigate how green growth initiatives intersect with the agri-food system transformation in the African Continental Free Trade Area context. We combine World Development Indicators, International Financial Statistics, and OECD data, and we use the Prais-Winsten regression model to analyze the relationship between green growth initiatives and Sustainable Development Goal 2- Zero Hunger indicators across 46 African countries. We show that green growth initiatives positively impact agricultural productivity and cereal yield but negatively affect total fisheries production. Low-income countries, including Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone experience mixed effects, while upper-middle-income countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Mauritius face more challenges. Economic growth, renewable energy, and financial development significantly influence agri-food system sustainability, but challenges like carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation hinder progress. Policymakers should prioritize pro-poor green technology investments, enhance finance accessibility, and implement environmental mitigation measures while fostering trade openness and regional cooperation. In Africa, green growth initiatives enhance the value added per worker in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, as well as cereal yield, but they have a negative impact on total fisheries production, according to an analysis that combines agricultural and economic data with a statistical approach.

Societal Impact Statement Banana and plantain are vital for food security and income in West Africa, yet banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) threatens production. This study combined remote sensing, field surveys, modelling and socio‐economic analysis to assess BBTV spread and control strategies in Benin. We found that risk is highest in southern regions with low disease awareness, limited adoption of control measures and widespread informal planting material exchange. By identifying priority areas and context‐specific interventions, our findings provide actionable guidance for targeted BBTV management, supporting smallholder resilience, reducing disease impact and safeguarding livelihoods across sub‐Saharan Africa. Summary This study investigates banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), a major threat to banana and plantain production in Benin, which are critical for food security and income for smallholder farmers. We combined remote sensing, field surveillance, household surveys and mathematical modelling to map banana cultivation; detect BBTV prevalence; and evaluate control strategies. BBTV was detected in 140 of 747 fields, with the highest prevalence in southern humid regions; modelling showed that injection was the most effective nationally, while uprooting was the most effective in high‐risk, socio‐economically vulnerable areas. Our findings highlight the need for context‐specific, spatially targeted interventions integrating clean planting materials, farmer education and epidemiologically informed management to enhance smallholder resilience and safeguard livelihoods.

Abstract The conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) is essential for global food and nutrition security, climate resilience and sustainable agriculture. This study presents a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework applied across 20 countries in the Global South to assess the state of ex situ PGRFA conservation. Using mixed methods, we collected quantitative and qualitative data on genebank performance, validated operational status, and identified specific needs of genebanks. Our findings demonstrate the practical use of this M&E framework for genebanks to assess efficiency and effectiveness in genebank management, while also guiding targeted capacity development and context-specific interventions to address persistent challenges. We recommend adopting the approaches described in this study, including genebank reviews and the review checklist, to support more systematic and evidence-based assessment of genebanks. Aligning national efforts with global conservation objectives will help generate actionable recommendations to strengthen genebanks and ensure the long-term conservation and availability of PGRFA.

ABSTRACT Phaseolus vulgaris , a crucial legume worldwide, is essential for human consumption and provides an abundant supply of proteins, micronutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. A common bean breeder faces considerable challenges due to inherent trade‐offs when attempting to simultaneously improve grain yield, Fe/Zn concentrations, and disease resistance. In this study, 118 common bean genotypes, along with two standard check cultivars, were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with a row‐column arrangement, with two replicates in two locations during the Meher season in 2019/20. In our study, GT and GYT analyses were used to dissect the associations between various traits and to select superior genotypes based on multiple traits. The highest grain yield t ha −1 was obtained from genotypes G18, G63, and G81. The assessed genotypes showed Fe concentration ranging from 41.4 to 89.4 ppm, with a mean of 51.6 ppm, whereas Zn concentration ranged from 17.7 to 37.2 ppm, with a mean of 24.5 ppm. The GT biplot explained 43.8% of the total variation, identifying donor genotypes with high Fe/Zn concentrations and disease resistance, whereas the GYT biplot accounted for 80.4% of the variation and revealed 10 high‐performing, balanced genotypes. Positive correlations were observed between yield and plant height, Fe and Zn concentrations, and days to flowering and maturity, indicating the potential for simultaneous improvement in yield, micronutrient density, and disease resistance. Overall, the integration of GT and GYT biplot analyses enabled the identification of promising candidate genotypes for direct release (G63, G100, G81, G80, and G18) and trait‐specific donors for crossing, offering a practical strategy for the development of biofortified bean cultivars with high yield and disease resistance.