National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology

Abstract Crop and varietal diversification are essential for African smallholder farmers to adapt to the complex and unprecedented challenges posed by climate change. Although African genebanks maintain seed collections of numerous crops, with thousands of varieties collected from their countries’ farmers, the direct use of these collections by farmers is very limited. Five African national genebanks therefore explored ways to strengthen farmers’ access to and use of these collections through a longer-term collaborative process. The genebanks and their partners engaged with ‘Germplasm User Groups’ as a basis for facilitating sustained joint learning with farmers for use of conserved germplasm. The structure of these groups and the methods they used for identifying and testing germplasm accessions, although differing by country context, all enabled a diversity of farmers to learn about a wide range of germplasm under relevant field conditions. The large number of accessions that farmers selected, their diverse advantages and the requests by numerous farmer groups to continue exploring additional crops and varieties indicated the usefulness of these approaches. These experiences revealed the feasibility and unique roles and opportunities for national genebanks to facilitate farmers’ direct use of the diversity conserved in their crop collections. National genebanks thus have unique responsibilities for adapting their operating procedures and partnering with research and development practitioners to facilitate farmers’ discovery and use of their conserved crop diversity.

Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a major staple crop in West Africa and plays a central role in regional food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural identity. Its wide ecological adaptation, diverse maturity periods, and in-ground storage capacity make yams critical to seasonal food availability and resilience of smallholder farming systems. Despite its importance, existing yam research has largely emphasized biophysical and agronomic dimensions, with limited integration of the socio-cultural and ecological factors that shape yam-based food systems. This review addresses this gap by synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge on yam food ecology, focusing on how socio-cultural values, beliefs, behaviours, and interactions influence production, utilization, and sustainability of yam systems. We examine the roles of culture, politics, power relations, gender dynamics, and community organization in structuring yam production and consumption across the West African yam belt. The review further explores the long-standing human–yam relationship and the implications of eroding traditional knowledge for future food system resilience. By adopting a systems and ecological perspective that integrates life and social sciences, this review provides a framework to inform sustainable yam crop improvement, value chain development, and inclusive policy interventions, thereby supporting long-term food security and rural development in West Africa.

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 Rice is a indispensable food crop in Nigeria, yet domestic production lingers to decrease as demand increases, based majorly on post-harvest losses credited to ineffective threshing approaches. This investigation x-rayed the fabrication and performance optimization of a laboratory scale prototype of a rice threshing machine, fabricated by means of locally sourced materials to certify cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance for local farmers. The system encompasses a welded steel frame, hopper, peg-tooth threshing drum, blower, grain and chaff outlets, and a V-belt driven electric motor. To permit data driven optimization, an Internet of Things (IoT) based sensing panel was integrated, integrating sensors for drum speed, paddy moisture content, feed rate, and throughput capacity. Operational data were gathered under changeable settings of drum speed, feed rate, pulley ratio, and grain moisture content. Three machine learning (ML) algorithms; Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression, and Artificial Neural Networks were trained to determine threshing efficiency, grain breakage, and energy consumption. The Random Forest model succeeded in having the maximum forecast accuracy (R² = 96.4%, RMSE = 1.25) and was employed to ascertain optimal operating factors. Machine learning supported process enhanced threshing efficiency by 5.2%, decrease grain breakage by 22.4%, and dropped energy depletion by 9.8% compared to manual variations. The outcome established that incorporating machine learning based forecasting modeling with locally constructed threshing machines can significantly improve performance, reduce post-harvest losses, and encourage sustainable agricultural mechanization in resource restricted situations.

ABSTRACTBackgroundNon–alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is prevalent worldwide and is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Opisthorchis viverrini(Ov) infection and consumption of high- fat and high-fructose (HFF) diets exacerbate NAFLD leading to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of HFF diets andO.viverriniinfection on kidney pathology via changes in the gut microbiome and host proteome in hamsters.Methodology/Principal findingsTwenty animals were divided into four groups; Normal diet feeding and non-infected Ov (Normal); HFF diets feeding (HFF); Ov infection (Ov); and feeding with a combination of HFF diets and infection with Ov (HFFOv). Fecal samples were extracted and used for Illumina Miseq sequencing platform based on the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, along with LC/MS-MS analysis. Histopathological studies and biochemical assays were also conducted. The results indicated that the HFFOv group exhibited the most severe kidney injury, as elevated KIM-1 expression and accumulation of fibrosis in kidney tissue. In comparison with the HFF group, the combined group showed higher diversity and composition. An increased number ofRuminococaceae,Lachospiraceae,DesulfovibrionaceaeandAkkermansiaceae, and a lower number ofEggerthellaceaewere observed. A total of 243 significant host proteome were identified in all groups. Analysis using STITCH predicted that host proteome associated leaky gut such as soluble CD14 and p-cresol may play a role in the development of kidney disease. Among host proteome, TGF-beta, involving in fibrogenesis, was significantly expressed in HFFOv.Conclusions/SignificanceThe combination of HFF diets andO.viverriniinfection may promote kidney injury through the alterations in the gut microbiome and host proteome. This knowledge may be an effective strategy to prevent the progression of CKD beyond the early stages.Author summaryA diets high in fat and fructose causes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFD), which is increasing worldwide. Liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini, Ov) infection is endemic in the Mekong subregion including in the northeastern Thailand. The prevalence of opisthorchiasis caused by the infection withO. viverriniis associated with fatty liver and bile duct cancer. We have previously demonstrated that infection withO. viverriniexacerbates NAFD progression to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in animal models. NASH exists kidney disease severity higher than ingestion of high-fat and high-fructose (HFF) diets or infection withO. viverrini. Here, we further investigate whether metagenomics is more likely to change in NASH than in NAFD or opisthorchiasis conditions. The combined group had higher diversity and composition. Elevated levels ofRuminococaceae,Lachospiraceae,DesulfovibrionaceaeandAkkermansiaceaeand decreased levels ofEggerthellaceaewere observed, suggesting that HFF+Ov may cause gut dysbiosis in NASH. Differentially expressed proteins were also associated with these gut microbiomes in NASH condition. In addition, we found that the association of metagenomics and metaproteomics in NASH was related to kidney disease. Analysis using STITCH predicted that host proteome may be involved in leaky gut such as soluble CD14 and p-cresol to promote kidney disease. A significantly expressed TGF-beta involving fibrogenesis was found to be associated with kidney fibrosis. Therefore, alterations of metagenomics and metaproteomics is associated with kidney disease in a combination of opisthorchiasis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.