You are currently viewing the pipeline e-catalog, with technologies that are not yet ready to scale. Take me back to the private sector e-catalog ›
8 results
High-biomass pasture that animals digest easily A practical forage product line for seed companies, fodder producers, and dairy/beef value chains. These hybrids support seed sales and hay production by delivering high biomass and good feed quality when managed well. (Cut-and-carry suitability is especially strong for Cobra due to its erect growth habit.)
Better grass. Better livestock. Urochloa grasses are a profitable venture for forage producers and seed companies. The cultivars—Basilisk, MG‑4, Piatá and Xaraes—are public goods, so seeds are available through private suppliers without royalty fees. Each hectare can yield 8–15 t of dried forage with 8–15 % protein. Deep roots allow the grasses to stay green during dry spells and thrive on poor or acidic soils. Stands can be harvested every 8–12 weeks, producing fresh forage, hay or silage. In Kenya, initial costs of around USD 1 116 per hectare were recouped quickly, with profits of USD 1 384–1 899 per hectare. Demand is strong because the grasses boost milk yields and weight gain. Businesses should plan for weed control during establishment and invest in equipment for cutting and baling.
High-biomass, drought-tolerant forage for reliable feed all year Seasonal feed shortages and climate variability limit livestock productivity in smallholder systems. Megathyrsus maximus cultivars (Mombasa, Tanzania, Massai) offer a high-yielding (10–20 t DM/ha/year), drought-tolerant forage with good nutritional quality, ensuring reliable year-round feed supply. Their deep root systems also improve soil structure and reduce erosion, supporting more resilient and sustainable livestock production.
Digital transparency and incentives for resilient landscape restoration My Farm Trees (MFT) is a digital platform that supports the restoration of forest landscapes by ensuring complete traceability, from seed collection to tree growth, using blockchain technology. It combines three mobile applications dedicated to seed collection, nursery management, and planting monitoring. Connected to a central dashboard, it guarantees quality control and data verification and facilitates digital payments to reward those involved in restoration. Developed by the Bioversity International Alliance and CIAT, MFT promotes the use of local species, improves livelihoods, and contributes to climate resilience. After Cameroon and Kenya, the platform is now being extended to other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
An economically sustainable integrated cassava seed system! The cassava seed sector has long been dominated by informal practices—non-certified stem reuse, low yields, and high disease prevalence. The BASICS model addresses this by creating a viable commercial seed system for cassava, opening up investment and revenue streams in seed production, distribution, diagnostics, and digital tools. The model has been tested and refined in Nigeria with strong market demand and regulatory support, providing a scalable framework for agribusiness expansion in cassava-producing countries.
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.
Transforming Cassava Farming Through Entrepreneurial Innovation! Cassava is a key staple crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, critical for both food security and income generation. Yet, the traditional cassava seed system has been fragmented and unsustainable, primarily relying on informal farmer-to-farmer sharing and ad hoc free distributions from governments and NGOs. This system has contributed to the widespread use of low-quality, disease-prone seeds, significantly limiting productivity and the adoption of improved varieties. The Cassava Seed Entrepreneur (CSE) Business Model presents a scalable, market-driven solution to modernize the cassava seed system. It empowers rural men, women, and youth by transforming them into certified seed entrepreneurs, enabling them to produce and distribute high-quality, certified cassava planting materials. The model integrates training, digital tools, and strategic partnerships to ensure a consistent supply of clean seeds. As a result, it not only boosts cassava yields but also creates new business opportunities and enhances rural livelihoods, providing an attractive investment opportunity for the private sector.
Enhancing cassava productivity through healthy planting material Cassava Seed Quality Management is a business-enabling system that provides a pathway for seed entrepreneurs to produce and market certified, high-quality cassava planting material. This system ensures disease control, increases farmer confidence, and supports a differentiated market for improved cassava seed with higher returns.