Swiss Forum for International Agricultural Research - SFIARhttps://sfiar.ch/2024-04-27T19:11:31+02:00https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6970.atomR4D: Development cooperation and research: a promising model-2024-04-25T13:37:02+02:002024-04-25T13:40:50+02:00In this interview Odile Robert from the SDC offers insights into both the completed and successor programmes of RçD.
The Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development (r4d programme), run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), ended on 25 April 2024. Its completion was the occasion for the two institutions to launch the new successor programme, SOR4D, which also focuses on health, food security, social conflicts, ecosystems, work and income in developing countries
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6969.atomImpact of the new EU organic regulation on the organic sector in Ecuador -2024-04-25T13:36:25+02:002024-04-25T13:36:57+02:00In close collaboration with Agrocalidad, Ecuador's organic competent authority, FiBL Switzerland carried out a consultancy to provide training and technical support on the new EU organic regulation and to study its main implications for the organic sector in Ecuador. The final results have now been published in a detailed report in Spanish.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6955.atomA wind of change through ancestral seeds-2024-04-20T09:57:37+02:002024-04-20T09:58:49+02:00A transnational project, which is being implemented in four countries on two continents, is dedicated to the rediscovery and rehabilitation of traditional local seeds.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6954.atom60 years of successful cooperation-2024-04-20T09:56:17+02:002024-04-23T10:02:36+02:00Switzerland has played a significant role in shaping the development cooperation landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past six decades. This broad meta-analysis provides a comprehensive overview of SDC’s bilateral engagement in eight countries in Latin America over six decade. In 2025, Switzerland will embark on a new chapter of collaboration with Latin America and the Caribbean.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6941.atomBuilding bridges and joining forces: engaging youth in shaping sustainable food systems and landscapes-2024-04-16T16:46:15+02:002024-04-16T16:57:20+02:00In 2024, the HAFL Hugo P. Cecchini Institute Annual Event will be held in conjunction with celebrations for 30 Years of International Agriculture at BFH-HAFL. The event focusses on youth and features a keynote, International Agriculture and Cecchini Institute inputs, interactive group debates and an apéro.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6940.atomBuilding Climate-Resilient Cocoa Landscapes in Northern Madagascar-2024-04-10T17:17:00+02:002024-04-10T17:56:28+02:00Blog-post about the "Climate-Resilient Cocoa Landscapes” project implemented by Helvetas together with abroad range of partner in the Sambirano watershed in northwestern Madagascar.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6935.atomAnnual Report 2023-2024-04-10T17:10:52+02:002024-04-10T17:13:34+02:00The ETH World Food System Center's annual report has jus been published. It highlights the center's many research, education, and outreach activities focused on food system transformation.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6932.atomEvaluation of the r4d Programme: Final Report and Management Response-2024-04-04T19:02:50+02:002024-04-04T19:03:15+02:00The r4d programme was "ahead of its time" as an innovative research programme promoting sustainable development across borders. This is the result of the external evaluation of the r4d programme. Read more in the final evaluation report.
Learn more in the full report.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6931.atom Empowering farmers to build resilience to climate change-2024-04-04T19:02:04+02:002024-04-04T19:02:44+02:00ETH Zürich Alumni Stories: Benjamin Gräub shares struggles and insights from his learning journey while developing a new app for farmers in Kenya in times of Covid, a project supported by a Center Ambassador Grant
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6918.atomNICE project team visits ETH Zurich-2024-04-02T16:55:29+02:002024-04-02T16:56:49+02:00Over a week in March, NICE country teams and representatives from six cities in Rwanda, Kenya, and Bangladesh joined in peer-learning visits to Zurich and Geneva.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6917.atomBurning coffee sacks in Chiapas: Desperate farmers protest against Nestlé's low purchase prices -2024-04-02T16:40:48+02:002024-04-02T16:53:19+02:00Public Eye field research in the federal state of Chiapas, Mexico, show that farming families participating in a Nestlé sustainability project are paid prices for their coffee that scarcely cover production costs
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6922.atomSurvey: Public concern about global poverty remains high-2024-04-02T16:19:00+02:002024-04-02T17:20:20+02:00The results of the third representative survey of the ETH Swiss Panel Global Cooperation 2023 are in. More than 4,000 Swiss residents shared their views on global poverty, and on Switzerland’s funding and allocation of development cooperation.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6912.atomBenefits of agroforestry in the Sahel-2024-03-27T09:48:39+01:002024-03-27T09:49:31+01:00Two new videos and a flyer explain the advantages and best practices of agroforestry in the Sahel region for farmers and extensionists. They have been developed by the Horizon 2020 project SustainSahel, which is coordinated by FiBL Switzerland.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6913.atomLandscapes as a Mosaic: Piecing the Parts Together in Tanzania-2024-03-27T09:45:00+01:002024-03-27T10:00:07+01:00Why, with whom and how Helvetas is pursuing a landscape approach in the Simiyu and Singida regions of central Tanzania.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6907.atomPioneering initative: Carbon credits to support agroforestry and smallholders -2024-03-21T11:39:13+01:002024-03-21T11:42:25+01:00The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) Bangladesh has launched a pioneering initiative that utilizes carbon credits to support smallholder farmers through the implementation of horticultural agroforestry systems. Carbon credits are a market-based system that incentivizes the reduction, removal, or avoidance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, measured in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq). This initiative holds particular significance for Bangladesh, a country highly vulnerable to climate change and committed to sustainable development.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6899.atomMartina Graf’s global leadership role-2024-03-19T17:36:12+01:002024-03-19T17:40:08+01:00Portrait of Martina Graf, former student and staff member of international agriculture at BFH-HAFL, who emigrated to Canada and was recently appointed Global Manager of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6895.atomFour Cornerstones for Successful Landscape Restoration-2024-03-14T11:15:00+01:002024-03-14T11:14:13+01:00To tackle the growing demand for land, water and other natural resources as well as climate change development practitioners are increasingly using a landscape approach. But what are key factors for successful landscape restoration? Helvetas pinpoints four critical elements based on their multi-stakeholder experience across projects in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Learn more in their blog.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6896.atomA taste for tilapia-2024-03-14T11:10:20+01:002024-03-14T11:13:43+01:00Fish farming is a thriving source of income and nourishment. Learn more how these "swimmers" change the livelihood of people in the NICE project.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6887.atomWhen QDS helps send children to school-2024-03-12T17:58:20+01:002024-03-12T18:00:18+01:00Syngenta Foundation's Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Systems in Africa (AVISA) project in Tanzania shows that smallholders do not only benefit from accessing better seed but also from producing it
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6880.atom "Agroecology has made my land healthy again" -2024-03-08T10:28:24+01:002024-03-12T18:02:15+01:00Explore how, guided by a radio program from Farm Radio International and Biovision, Florian Kwaslema transformed his income and regenerated his land through sustainable agroecological practices. (Article only available in German)
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6865.atomMeeting Potato Farmers' Quality Seed Needs-2024-03-05T16:20:00+01:002024-03-05T16:51:54+01:00The Syngenta Foundation Seeds2B team in Kenya is joining forces with the National Agricultural Research System to increase the availability of certified seed potatoes for smallholder farmers
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6856.atomRice and kiwi get climate-smarter-2024-02-29T16:25:23+01:002024-02-29T16:40:01+01:00Climate-smart Agriculture (CSA) adapts and transforms farming systems for sustainable development and food security. CSA aligns with the Chinese government's ambitious goals of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Learn how a provincial partnership in Sichuan between TNC and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture promotes climate-smart agriculture for low carbon farming in Rice and Kiwi.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6855.atomCome y Habla: A sensorial experience in Ecuador and Spain-2024-02-29T16:23:20+01:002024-02-29T16:39:36+01:00“Deliberative Diets” aims to bridge producers and consumers by developing sustainable food system scenarios using Ecuadorian cocoa and Spanish olive oil as examples. Stakeholders from Ecuador, Spain, and Switzerland collaboratively create future visions for success. CDE PhD student Léa Lamotte explores diverse food perspectives with students.It’s a creative, participatory way of knowledge building that generates refreshing and inspiring insights.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6849.atomClimate change: Most people get insufficient harvests-2024-02-27T14:30:46+01:002024-02-27T14:32:29+01:00In an interview, Sonja Tschirren, SWISSAID’s Climate Officer, explains why Niger is especially hard hit by Climate Change, how bleak the outlook is, and what responsibility Switzerland must shoulder
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6850.atomHarmonizing Agriculture with Disease Control through AWD-2024-02-27T14:25:00+01:002024-02-27T14:37:12+01:00In a recent webinar the Syngenta Foundation offered a comprehensive perspective on the complex relationship between agriculture and public health, with a focus on malaria and sustainable rice cultivation.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6848.atomCall for panels: Swiss Researching Africa Days (Bern, 25.-26.10.2024)-2024-02-27T14:23:28+01:002024-02-27T14:26:41+01:00On the occasion of its 50th anniversary the Swiss Society for African Studies calls for proposals of panels addressing the theme "Sustainability and Transformations" in its broadest sense; deadline for submissions: 12 April 2024
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6834.atomUliza – Wenn Bäuerinnen und Bauern das Radioprogramm gestalten-2024-02-22T14:21:00+01:002024-02-22T09:16:36+01:00interview with Martin Schmid, Co-Head of Development Projects at Biovision, about a cooperation with the organisation "Farm Radio International" to raise awareness of organic farming in Tanzania
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6839.atomAgriculture should be buzzing with entrepreneurs-2024-02-20T13:04:00+01:002024-02-21T17:06:57+01:00Agronomist Samuel Guindo, the new Syngenta Foundation Country Program Manager in Mali, shares his views and future vision
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6826.atomSwitzerland deducts budget for international cooperation-2024-02-16T11:19:48+01:002024-02-16T11:20:41+01:00This Wednesday the Federal Council presented the key figures for the 2025 budget. This includes a 1.4% cut in international cooperation (IC). Last year, in its dispatch on IC 25 - 28, it had planned an increase of 2.5% to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine. Read more in the media release from the development policy competence center Alliance Sud, which is supported by many major Swiss aid organizations.
https://sfiar.ch/newsnews-6825.atomFour Things You Didn’t Know About Star Anise and International Development-2024-02-16T11:17:49+01:002024-02-16T11:21:18+01:00Star anise is familiar to Western consumers as a component of mulled wine, various pastries and as a flavoring of spirits such as Pastis and Sambuca. It is far more widely used in Asian cuisine, being one of the key spices in Chinese five-spice powder, an essential component of the Vietnamese soup phở, and of various Indian curries. It also has medicinal uses, learn more about this interesting crop!