New technologies will be added regularly to this e-catalog.
11 results
Catch the Rain, Grow with the Grain! The Demi-lune (half-moon) technology is a simple land restoration method used mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. By digging semi-circular pits to capture rainwater and restore soil fertility, it tackles land degradation, water scarcity, and low productivity. First used in Burkina Faso in the 1980s, it has spread to Niger, Mali, Chad, and Senegal. Suitable for millet, sorghum, and legumes, it boosts yields and soil health, helps farmers adapt to climate change, and supports SDGs like No Poverty and Climate Action.
An economically sustainable integrated cassava seed system! Cassava is a critical food and income source for millions of smallholders in Africa. Yet most cassava farmers rely on non-certified, disease-ridden seed, leading to low yields and food insecurity. The BASICS model, supported by BMGF, IFAD, and IITA, offers a tested and replicable approach to building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient seed systems. It bridges R4D outputs and smallholder needs, while encouraging national ownership and local enterprise development. The model is now promoted by the TAAT Cassava Compact as a pathway to scaling impact and meeting SDG targets on food, jobs, and sustainability.
Virus diagnostic tool for cassava seed health certification by seed producers and seed certifiers. Cassava virus indexing uses PCR and LAMP diagnostic methods to detect and eliminate virus-infected cassava planting materials. It ensures virus-free plants for seed production, improving seed quality, crop resilience, and food security. Key costs include lab setup (USD 20,000) and sample testing (USD 3/sample). Training for staff and collaboration with research and seed certification bodies are crucial for successful implementation.
Building stronger cassava seed businesses for African seed entrepreneurs and farmers. CSAM is a systemic solution designed to strengthen the cassava seed sector by establishing formal associations of seed entrepreneurs. Through these associations, seed producers can access certification, financing, training, and policy advocacy, resulting in improved operational efficiency, enhanced seed quality, and stronger market connections. The model has already been validated in Nigeria and Tanzania and is now expanding into Rwanda and Kenya, benefiting over 2,700 seed entrepreneurs. The model provides an institutional framework that fosters collaboration, collective action, and long-term sustainability in the cassava seed value chain.
Transforming Cassava Farming Through Entrepreneurial Innovation! Cassava is a vital crop for food security and income generation across Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the region's traditional cassava seed systems have been largely informal and unsustainable, relying on farmer-to-farmer seed sharing and irregular free seed distributions from governments and NGOs. This practice has resulted in the widespread use of low-quality, disease-prone planting materials, leading to reduced crop yields and limited adoption of improved cassava varieties. The Cassava Seed Entrepreneur (CSE) Business Model offers a sustainable, market-driven solution to strengthen cassava seed systems. By transforming rural men, women, and youth into certified seed entrepreneurs, the model empowers local communities to produce and sell high-quality cassava planting materials. This initiative integrates capacity building, digital certification tools, and strategic partnerships to ensure the consistent availability of clean, certified seeds. As a result, it enhances agricultural productivity, fosters rural economic growth, and improves livelihoods, contributing to long-term food security and poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Breeder & Foundation Cassava Seeds—Always Within Reach This technology enables seed companies and certified producers to multiply and supply breeder and foundation cassava seeds directly from research centers. It follows national seed certification standards, uses both in-house and outgrower schemes, and ensures that farmers and seed entrepreneurs get access to clean, high-quality planting material. Registration with seed authorities and proper field inspection are required for participation.
Enhancing cassava productivity through healthy planting material Cassava Seed Quality Management is a scalable and inclusive approach to improving agricultural productivity. It ensures access to clean, certified planting material for smallholder farmers while reducing the spread of diseases and strengthening seed systems. It directly contributes to food security, livelihoods, and the resilience of rural communities.
Zaï pits are a traditional water-harvesting technique used in the Sahel to combat low rainfall, soil degradation, and poor soil fertility. By digging small pits that trap rainwater and organic matter, farmers can improve moisture retention, nutrient availability, and crop yields by 60–90%. This cost-effective method enables the rehabilitation of degraded lands and enhances the resilience of millet and sorghum crops. When combined with other soil and water conservation techniques, Zaï pits significantly contribute to sustainable dryland agriculture.
Natural Allies for Mango Mealybug Control This technology provides an effective, cost-efficient intervention to protect mango value chains in Africa. The release and establishment of two parasitoid species—Gyranusoidea tebygi and Anagyrus mangicola—has shown a dramatic impact in reducing mango mealybug populations, leading to increased yields and farm income. With research costs already covered, the expansion to new countries requires only modest investments in rearing and monitoring. This intervention aligns with sustainable agriculture goals, reduces pesticide use, and strengthens the resilience of smallholder farming systems.
Comprehensive tools to guide initiatives and organizations in implementing FAIR principles across data-rich agricultural development investments! The FAIR Process Framework is a structured approach designed to enhance the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (FAIR) of agricultural data. It provides practical steps, guidelines, and tools to help national programs, funders, and project implementers maximize the value of data across agricultural development initiatives. By integrating FAIR principles, stakeholders can improve data sharing, reduce duplication, enhance decision-making, and ensure long-term impact. The framework is flexible, allowing its adoption at any stage of a project or program. Additionally, expert support from CABI helps facilitate training and implementation, ensuring effective data governance for sustainable agricultural development.
Smarter Fertilizer, Stronger Crops: Maximize Growth with Minimal Input "Micro-dosing of Fertilizers in Precision Agriculture," holds significant importance for small-scale millet and sorghum farmers. These farmers often face challenges related to inadequate fertilizer use, leading to soil fertility decline and increased risk of crop failure. Micro-dosing offers a crucial solution by allowing precise and efficient application of small fertilizer quantities at the base of each plant. This approach minimizes risk, reduces input costs, and results in improved crop establishment, nutrient absorption, and water utilization. By utilizing this technology, farmers can enhance yields, protect the environment by reducing nutrient loss, and ultimately promote sustainable and profitable agricultural practices.