Cross-Cutting Strategy, Themes and Projects

Strategy

The CRFS has a portfolio of cross-cutting grants, as well as a set of cross-cutting themes that address topics of interest across the program. Cross-cutting grants are described below, while cross-cutting themes, described to the right, are supported by thematic groups as well as discussions and meetings carried out at the program and regional levels.

Cross-cutting grants support all three CRFS regions and/or address key program themes. The CRFS portfolio contains three types of cross-cutting grants.

Click here to see a graphic depiction of our Thematic Buckets of CRFS Active Projects.

Themes

­Agrobiodiversity

Agricultural biodiversity contributes to productivity, resilience and diets. Over the past decade, CRFS-funded teams have conducted research across the value chains of diverse crops. Read more here.

Soil health

The basis of agricultural productivity, soil health is essential for healthy diets and thus for human health. Organic matter is the engine of soil health, so it is critical to planetary health through carbon sequestration and ecosystem services. Read more here.

Ecological pest, weed & disease management

Smallholder farmers face substantial challenges from the diverse insects and pathogens that attack their crops and the weeds that compete with or feed on them. Read more here.

Grants & Partnerships

All Cross-Cutting Grants & Partnerships

  • Strengthen FRNs to Improve Climate Change Resilience

    Association for the Development of Production and Training Activities (ADAF/Gallè)

    Partners: Diobass in the commune of Toéghin (Kourwéogo Province) and MARP Network in the communes of Gourcy and Bassi (Zondoma Province), the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA), farmers in Mali and Association of Professional Farmers’ Organizations (AOPP), and the Institute of Rural Economy (IER)

    Duration: 8/2022—8/2025

    West Africa

  • Co-Designing Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Systems

    Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Developpement (CIRAD)

    Partners: INERA, AMSP, WUR, and CIRAD; Propulse, a project from Agropolis Foundation involving IRD, CIRAD, INERA, AMSP, and IRSAT in Burkina Faso; FAIR Sahel, a European Union-funded DESIRA project involving CIRAD, INERA, and AMSP; and other CCRP projects in Burkina Faso

    Duration: 8/2022—8/2026

    West Africa

  • Child Nutrition III

    Research Institute of Applied Sciences and Technologies (IRSAT)

    Partners: Farmers’ organizations FUMA Gaskiya, Mooriben (Niger), AMSP (Burkina Faso), and UPLC (Mali); rural women’s associations; projects Networking4Seed, Voandzou, Fonio, Cowpea Square, Farmers’ Knowledge, Women’s Farm Productivity in Niger, Sahel-IPM, Processing, IAE, Recycling, CATHI-Gao; institutions ICRISAT, IER, INRAN, INERA, University of Maradi, University of Ouagadougou, Nazi Boni University, University of Bamako, Abdou Moumouni University (Niger), and IER (Mali)

    Duration: 11/2023—11/2027

    West Africa

By the Numbers

0.4 Percent

An annual growth rate of 0.4 percent in the soil carbon stocks, in the first 30–40 cm of soil, would significantly reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.

4p1000.org

28 Foundations

Along with 28 other philanthropic foundations, the McKnight Foundation, through the CRFS, is part of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food.

26 Projects

The cross-cutting portfolio’s 26 projects contribute to global dialogues relating to agroecological transformation and global food security.

Resources

All Resources

  • Mets et Produits Traditionnels du Centre Nord—Burkino Faso

    Introduction Ce livret fait la promotion des mets traditionnels de la région du Centre Nord. Les procédés de préparation et les modes de consommation des principaux produits et mets traditionnellement consommés dans la région du Centre Nord ont été présentés. Les produits et mets ont été répertoriés dans les villages des communes de Pissila, Boussouma […]

    Date: 12/22/2023

    Resource Type: Instructional material

    West Africa

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  • Article: Knowledge Democratization Approaches for Food Systems Transformation

    The journal, Nature Food, published an article by a team of international experts that delves into the urgent need for democratizing knowledge to revolutionize global food systems. The article is among several pivotal new publications and tools that we have developed with our many partners. Current narrow views of what constitutes evidence have left blind […]

    Date: 5/22/2024

    Resource Type: Learning / story

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  • West Africa Community of Practice Annual Meeting, Bamako, Mali, March 4-8, 2024

    The Ministries of Agriculture of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger came together with more than 80 participants from farmers organizations, research centers, NGOs, and agroecology alliances for the 2024 CRFS West Africa Community of Practice (CoP) annual meeting. Master’s and PhD students working in agroecology also participated thanks to travel grants offered to them. The […]

    Date: 3/4/2024

    Resource Type: Learning / story

    West Africa

News & Updates