Reviewing and revising CGIAR’s Open Access and Data Management Policy and Implementation Guidelines
Timely and accurate decisions are critical to the success of food systems around the world. Accessible and well-managed data promotes more efficient research and greater visibility and transparency for organizations that conduct it. With this in mind, CGIAR promised to publish their research data openly and free from restriction through the development of the CGIAR Open Access and Data Management (OADM) Policy in 2013. In this project, CABI led a review of the policy (and accompanying implementation guidelines) to determine how it was implemented across the CGIAR System and whether updates were required to remain relevant to today’s research landscape.
Enabling data access to support innovation in decision agriculture: soil health, agronomy and fertilizer
Healthy soil is critical to the growth of nutritious food and to farmers’ livelihoods. However, declining soil health is causing low productivity which leads to unstable food security and incomes. National systems can help farmers by sharing data and information on soil health which can then be used to make more informed decisions about agricultural practices, helping farmers produce healthier crops. This project aims to facilitate better data-driven decisions within the investments of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Decision Agriculture and the national systems in which the investments operate.
Rwanda Soil Information Services (RwaSIS)
70% of Rwanda’s population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, productivity has been severely compromised by a lack of crop and soil-specific fertilizers and soil erosion. Real-time, reliable, soil and agronomy data can inform farmers, helping them to make the best decisions for their land, but this data is currently not shared between stakeholders. The Government’s Rwanda Soil Information Service will provide a centralised resource for in-country actors to better understand the state of soils in Rwanda at a local level. CABI’s integral role will be to lay the foundations of a modern soil information system that will rationalize the costs of obtaining high-quality soils data. Working on the basis of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles will ensure that legacy and new investments in soil research maximise their potential and result in better decision-making for Rwandan farmers and their soils.
Chipo Msengezi
I joined CABI in 2020 as a Project Manager in the Knowledge and Data Management Team. I have worked in the Information and Communications Technologies for Development, capacity development and knowledge management sector for nine years. In this time, I have worked on several projects and programmes in Sub-Sahara Africa, focusing on enhancing capacity amongst the research and education communities in the latest data and information tools, and advocating for the adoption of digital technologies that drive development. Prior to joining CABI, I worked as a Project Coordinator on an open data project at the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU (CTA).
Global Burden of Crop Loss
Given the pressures of climate change and growing global population, losing less of the crops that have already been sown on land or under cultivation, presents an important opportunity to enhance food security. While there is increasing recognition of potential gains from curbing post-harvest losses and consumer food waste, pre-harvest losses remain poorly understood. The Global Burden of Crop Loss (GBCL) aims to fill this gap by providing trusted, data-driven metrics on crop loss across different regions and crops. By analysing global data, assessing the impact of pests and diseases, and leveraging advanced technology, GBCL aims to equip decision-makers with the insights they need to take evidence-based action. With a clearer picture of where, how, and why crop losses occur, policymakers, researchers, and investors will be better positioned to implement solutions that improve agricultural resilience and food security globally.