The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced a five-year extension of its support for two vital research partnerships under Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s ambitious global initiative aimed at alleviating hunger and enhancing food security. These investments are set to make a significant impact by boosting the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers and fishers, enabling them to produce more affordable, nutritious foods that will not only benefit their communities but also improve diets worldwide. (Press release: USAID)
Under this extension, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, led by Mississippi State University, receives a substantial up to $15 million, while the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research, led by Michigan State University, is granted an up to $14 million extension, subject to the availability of funds.
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish is dedicated to strengthening the climate resilience of fisheries and other aquatic food systems, including the harvesting of shellfish and seaweed, in countries such as Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia. These aquatic foods are not only nutritious sources of animal protein but also represent some of the world’s most traded agricultural products, offering essential income to aquatic farmers and fishers.
However, the ongoing rise in oceanic temperatures and increasing acidification pose significant threats to these fisheries. It is estimated that fisheries in tropical regions could witness up to a 50% decline in their catch levels by the end of the century. Given that approximately 2.6 billion people in developing nations rely on fish for both protein and income, these changes could have dire consequences for their food security and resilience.
Building upon years of research, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish focuses on developing and scaling innovations that not only increase fish production but also prioritize the conservation of natural resources and address the needs of producers and fishers. The next phase of this initiative places a strong emphasis on promoting sustainable and climate-smart practices, such as enhancing the carbon storage capacity of coastal wetlands and other aquatic ecosystems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the extension will concentrate on enhancing food safety and inclusivity within the aquatic food value chains, thereby ensuring that more people can access nutritious diets and secure livelihoods.
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research is dedicated to developing innovative methods for the sustainable scaling of grain legume production in West and Southern Africa. Legumes, including beans and lentils, provide a vital source of affordable protein and play a crucial role in improving climate resilience by returning nitrogen to the soil, thereby enhancing soil health.
The Feed the Future Legume Systems Innovation Lab has successfully created improved varieties of pest-resistant cowpeas and common beans. Pests represent a significant threat to legume production, responsible for substantial food losses, with some capable of destroying up to 80% of farmers’ yields and contributing to over 48% of post-harvest losses.
Through groundbreaking research, the production of these new legume varieties will be scaled up and introduced to the market. This initiative will not only enhance the resilience of legume farmers’ livelihoods but also increase the availability of nutritious food. The program’s expansion will encompass more communities in previously unexplored regions of Africa and will mark its debut in Latin America and the Caribbean. Furthermore, this extension will empower women and young people within the legume production systems, building on past success in providing economic opportunities to rural women’s groups and supporting over 60 students in attaining higher education degrees.
The commitment of USAID to these initiatives underscores the United States government’s dedication to improving global food security, promoting sustainability, and fostering economic opportunities that will benefit communities worldwide.
