Malaria infection confounds inflammation-adjusted micronutrient biomarker concentrations in children and women in Malawi: a secondary analysis of the 2015/2016 Malawi micronutrient survey

Inflammation and infections such as malaria affect concentrations of many micronutrient biomarkers and hence estimates of nutritional status. We aimed to assess the relationship between malaria infection and micronutrient biomarker concentrations in pre-school children (PSC), school-age children (SAC) and women of reproductive age (WRA) in Malawi and examine the potential role of malarial immunity on the relationship between malaria and micronutrient biomarkers. Data from the 2015/2016 Malawi micronutrient survey were used. The associations between current or recent malaria infection, detected by rapid diagnostic test and concentration of serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), zinc, serum folate, red blood cell folate and vitamin B12 were estimated using multivariable linear regression. Factors related to malarial immunity including age, altitude and presence of hemoglobinopathies were examined as effect modifiers. Serum ferritin, sTfR and zinc were adjusted for inflammation using the BRINDA method. Malaria infection was associated with 68 % (95 % CI 51, 86), 28 % (18, 40) and 34 % (13, 45) greater inflammation-adjusted ferritin in PSC, SAC and WRA, respectively (P < 0·001 for each). In PSC, the positive association was stronger in younger children, high altitude and children who were not carriers of the sickle cell trait. In PSC and SAC, sTfR was elevated (+ 25 % (16, 29) and + 15 % (9, 22) respectively, P < 0·001). Serum folate and erythrocyte folate were elevated in WRA with malaria (+ 18 % (3, 35) and + 11 % (1, 23), P = 0·01 and P = 0·003 respectively). Malaria affects the interpretation of micronutrient biomarker concentrations, and examining factors related to malarial immunity may be informative

Khatlon region’s agriculture sector development trends

This study examines recent agriculture sector development trends in Khatlon region of Tajikistan and its contribution to development of the sector between 2010 and 2021. The findings of the study show that the development of the crops sector in the region was strongly intensive, except sluggish intensive growth for cotton and extensive growth for potato. Further deep dive is needed to figure out the source of growth, however, lack of disaggregated data prevents us from doing so in this analysis. To understand the drivers of recent growth the farmers survey needs to be conducted. Unlike the crop sector, the livestock sector in Khatlon region has experienced mainly extensive growth, with surge up in cattle and small ruminants’ population rather than productivity increase. The livestock sector faces several challenges such as severe degradation of pastures due to poor pasture management system, and increased pressure on pasture due to rapidly growing livestock numbers. In addition, the sector is affected by climate change and at the same time accelerates the ongoing process of climate change due to greenhouse gases, especially methane emissions. In sum, the region now plays a vital role in meeting Tajikistan's food security needs and income generation for rural households, however, further sustainable growth of the sector requires addressing challenges, increasing investments into the sector and promoting CSA practices (Table 1A in Appendix)

Africa Dryland Crops Improvement Network

The Africa Dryland Crops Improvement Network (ADCIN), established in August 2023, is a collaborative network initiated after a consultation meeting in Senegal in February 2022 and a network members’ meeting in Ghana in January 2023. It comprises more than 17 countries and over 200 scientists in various agricultural disciplines and organizations. Our vision is to create a dynamic and sustainable network for improving dryland crops in Africa by leveraging and enhancing the collective strengths of its members to accelerate farmers’ access to improved crop varieties

Exploring genetic variation and stripe rust resistance in ICARDA's spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using GWAS in West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, poses a major threat to global wheat (Triticum aestivum) production. This study assessed stripe rust resistance in 154 spring bread wheat genotypes from ICARDA, tested across four locations: Izmir (Turkey), Merchouch (Morocco), Sakha, and Sids (Egypt). Disease severity was evaluated at the adult plant stage under natural infection using the coefficient of infection (CI). Genotyping was performed using 17,692 high-quality SNP markers, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) for resistance. The mixed linear model (MLM), accounting for population structure and relatedness, detected significant differences in genotype resistance across locations. Twenty elite genotypes, including G101, G117, and G125, exhibited high resistance across all sites. A total of 136 significant MTAs and 17 candidate genes were identified, with −log10(p) > 3.0, primarily on chromosomes 2A, 3B, 4A, 5B, and 7A. Several MTAs aligned with known resistance genes, such as Yr18 and Yr57, while others suggested novel loci. Key markers, including ‘AX-109902001’ (6A), ‘AX-94992026’ (7B), ‘IAAV1650’ (5A), and ‘Excalibur_c37115_306’ (3B), were significantly associated with resistance across locations. These findings enhance the understanding of the genetic architecture of stripe rust resistance and provide MTAs suitable for marker-assisted selection to pyramid resistance genes. The identified resistant genotypes hold potential for direct release or use as breeding parents in the WANA region, pending further adaptation trials assessing yield stability and agronomic performance

Gender dynamics within food systems in displacement contexts: Experiences from displaced populations in Nampula, Mozambique

In Nampula province, Mozambique, internally displaced and refugee communities live in settlements situated at the outskirts of Nampula city. This paper explores the intersection of gender and food systems in displacement contexts by focusing on the experiences of displaced populations and examining how displacement exacerbates existing gender inequalities and shapes access to food resources and livelihoods. It delves deeper into the barriers and opportunities men and women face in orienting themselves within food systems in displacement contexts. A participatory rural appraisal methodology, disaggregated by gender, was implemented in displaced communities in Nampula. The gendered analysis found that displacement dynamics affected food systems, where gender dynamics play a central role in determining resilience capacities. The findings of this study contribute to the scholarship on the nexus between climate security, food security and gender, bringing internally displaced and refugee communities into the fore of food system discussions

Farmers' preferences for the next generation of maize hybrids: application of product concept testing in Kenya and Uganda

Step-change innovation in seed product design by public sector crop breeding has led to major contributions to global food security. The literature, however, provides few insights on how to identify forward-looking innovation opportunities. Inspired by discussions in the product innovation literature, this article describes our application of product concept testing in the context of hybrid maize in Uganda and Kenya. We identified the following eight maize seed product concepts based on interactions with seed companies, crop breeders, and farmers: 'Resilience', 'Drought escape', 'Food and fodder', 'Home use', 'Green maize', 'Livestock feed', 'Intercropping', and 'Family nutrition'. These were described and presented to 2400 farmers using videos, where each farmer saw three concept-presentation videos. Farmers were most likely to have selected the resilience (Kenya and Uganda), drought escape (Uganda), and intercropping (Kenya) concepts. Farmers showed mixed interest in other concepts, such as home use and food and fodder, suggesting that investments in product production and promotion would be required in addition to investments in breeding. These results provide new entry points for conversations among transdisciplinary teams at regional and national levels on the current and future opportunities for crop breeding to respond to farmers' requirements for new seed products

Informe técnico de sobre el impacto de la implementación de las prácticas de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas/Agricultura Sostenible Adaptada al Clima (AbE/A) establecidas en el Territorio Sostenible Adaptado al Clima de Olopa, Chiquimula

Este informe técnico documenta el impacto de la implementación de prácticas de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas (AbE) y Agricultura Sostenible Adaptada al Clima (ASAC) en el Territorio Sostenible Adaptado al Clima (TeSAC) de Olopa, Chiquimula, en el marco del proyecto "Poniendo los ecosistemas en el centro de la adaptación". A través de un enfoque participativo y el monitoreo en cinco comunidades, se evaluaron indicadores clave como la salud del suelo, emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, productividad agrícola, servicios ecosistémicos y retención de humedad. Los resultados evidencian mejoras en la materia orgánica del suelo, reducciones significativas de emisiones de CO₂ (hasta 38% en café), incremento en los índices de servicios ambientales y mejoras en la productividad, especialmente cuando se aplicaron combinaciones de prácticas como barreras vivas, terrazas y acequias. No obstante, la efectividad varía según el contexto agronómico y climático, subrayando la importancia de un diseño técnico ajustado a cada territorio. A su vez se encuentran recomendaciones para el escalamiento de prácticas eficaces, fortalecimiento del monitoreo, y la necesidad de integrar estas estrategias en políticas públicas para fortalecer la resiliencia climática y la sostenibilidad de los sistemas agroalimentarios locale