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The grant will support the “Yam Optimized Architecture through Gene Editing (YOAGE)” project, aimed at delivering novel genetic variation to yam (Dioscorea spp.) that improves plant architecture.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in partnership with Pairwise, a US-based technology company pioneering the application of gene editing in food and agriculture, announced a grant of US$ 3,874,356 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant will support the “Yam Optimized Architecture through Gene Editing (YOAGE)” project, an innovative project aimed at delivering novel genetic variation to yam (Dioscorea spp.) that improves plant architecture. The project goal is to reduce labor and environmental impact associated with traditional plant staking while also enabling mechanized farming in Nigeria, where yam is an important staple food crop.

The 4-year YOAGE project will focus on developing yam varieties with optimized growth characteristics, improving cultivation practices, and boosting productivity and profitability while collaborating with various stakeholders, including local farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers. Yam is the second most important root and tuber crop in sub-Saharan Africa after cassava, with a production of about 75 million metric tons (FAO, 2021) and provides about 200 kilocalories daily to over 400 million people in the low-income and food-deficit countries of the tropics. Africa produces over 97 per cent of the global yams, with Nigeria alone accounting for about 66 per cent of the world’s total (FAO, 2021). In West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, yam is not only a staple crop but also plays a central role as a traditional flagship crop deeply intertwined with societal norms, fulfilling various social and religious functions.

Despite this importance, yam cultivation faces several challenges, such as high costs of planting materials and labor, declining soil fertility, low-yielding varieties that require staking, and increased pest and disease pressures due to intensified farming. While conventional breeding has improved yam varieties for pest resistance, adaptability, and quality, it has made limited progress in optimizing plant architecture for mechanized farming. The YOAGE project will leverage advanced gene editing tools to overcome these challenges and support global food security, particularly in the face of climate change, resource limitations, and shifting consumer demands.

Leena Tripathi, IITA Eastern Africa Hub Director, Biotechnology Program Lead, and YOAGE Principal Investigator, said: “Receiving this grant from the Gates Foundation marks a pivotal advancement in transforming yam production through innovative gene editing technologies. By developing improved bushy-types of yam varieties, we aim to reduce labor demands, enhance farming efficiency, and boost sustainability. Ultimately, our goal is to elevate farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen food security.”

The YOAGE project aims to develop these varieties by identifying the genes controlling plant growth, optimizing gene editing to develop semi-dwarf varieties, and analyzing the impacts of these changes on labor and gender dynamics. By addressing the technical and environmental challenges of yam production, the project is expected to significantly improve productivity and farmers’ income, contributing to the global goal of sustainable agriculture and food security.

The Gates Foundation selected IITA and Pairwise for the grant because of their proven records in agricultural innovations and community engagements in the region. IITA is a global center of excellence for yam breeding and a genetic improvement source of new and improved yam genotypes for major yam growers in Africa. Also, it has a long tradition and experience in the breeding and genetics of yam, a well-established yam breeding network that connects several national programs from major yam-growing areas in Africa.

Pairwise is pioneering the application of gene editing technology in food and agriculture through its Fulcrum™ Platform, the most extensively developed and validated toolbox for CRISPR application in plants. As one of the first companies in the world to commercialize gene-edited consumer food and agricultural products, Pairwise brings together leaders in agriculture, technology, and consumer foods to harness the transformative potential of new genomics technologies to create innovative new products.

“The Gates Foundation sees gene editing as an opportunity to more rapidly advance important crops like yam, following a path established through a long history of crop breeding. Through gene editing, we can keep all the favorable characteristics of adapted crops, such as nutrition and climate resilience, while removing characteristics like vining in yams that limit a crop’s potential. By partnering IITA with Pairwise, we have brought together top scientists to tackle this important challenge and drive adoption of improved varieties for smallholder farmers.” explained Dr Nicolas Bate, the Senior Program Officer at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Pairwise Director of Trait Strategy and Testing, Dr Shai Lawit, added: “Gene editing offers a revolutionary approach to solving global challenges in agriculture. Through important public-private initiatives like this one with IITA, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Pairwise, we are not only improving crop production; we’re also empowering smallholder farmers, reducing environmental impacts, and advancing food security to narrow the global nutritional deficit, which is especially prevalent in developing countries.”

Through this combined work, the YOAGE project will demonstrate the importance of public-private partnerships in unlocking the benefits of gene editing in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The grant will support the “Yam Optimized

With the support of ESCAP, BharatRohan aims to incorporate inclusive business practices and expand its reach and mission in the states of Telangana and Haryana.

 BharatRohan, a pioneer in providing drone services in the agricultural sector, has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). This collaboration is primarily focused on transforming agricultural methods in Telangana and Haryana, two states poised to promote sustainable crops, and is part of the “Regional Inclusive Business Models in Agriculture and Food Systems” initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

BharatRohan’s mission is diverse, to empower smallholder farmers, improve export opportunities, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. With the support of ESCAP, BharatRohan aims to incorporate inclusive business practices and expand its reach and mission in the states of Telangana and Haryana.

The adoption of an inclusive business model by BharatRohan underlines its commitment to sustainable and equitable growth in agriculture. This model goes beyond the simple pursuit of profits and emphasizes value creation for all stakeholders, especially those at the base of the economy. By focusing its work on small farmers, BharatRohan not only addresses their challenges in accessing resources and markets but also ensures their active participation and autonomy in the value chain.

Furthermore, a significant commitment of this project is to involve women farmers in value chain activities actively. This ensures their active participation in the production process and promotes gender-inclusive agricultural practices. BharatRohan has also demonstrated its commitment towards inclusive business by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Endeva and Ecociate to receive coaching services as part of the ESCAP-supported inclusive business program.

Amandeep Panwar the CEO of BharatRohan said, “I am thrilled about our partnership with ESCAP. Our mission is to empower smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agriculture in Telangana and Haryana. We’re leveraging advanced hyperspectral technology to provide farmers with precise insights, reducing costs, and ensuring top-quality, residue-free yields. Our dedication to inclusivity extends to gender- inclusive practices, actively involving female farmers in value chain activities to create additional income opportunities. This partnership is not just about innovation; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of farmers and fostering a sustainable future for agriculture.”

“We are delighted to welcome BharatRohan as a valued member of the Cohort participating in the Inclusive Business Coaching program supported by ESCAP. BharatRohan’s technology-driven solutions hold great significance for smallholder farmers, aiding them in crop monitoring and optimizing input usage effectively. Moreover, their drone-based services have the potential not only to generate employment opportunities for local youth but also to provide essential last-mile services to farmers in a sustainable fashion. Ecociate and Endeva look forward to working with Bharat Rohan on their path towards incorporating inclusive business practices ” Santosh Gupta, Director, Ecociate Consultant.

ESCAP is supporting BharatRohan by providing inclusive business coaching services that will be key in identifying critical resources and expert connections, which will ensure the successful implementation of the comprehensive strategic plan for the transformative project.

BharatRohan will enhance its expertise with the support of ESCAP to address regulatory challenges, enter international markets and provide essential training services to farmers. A key element of the strategic plan is the integration of technology solutions, such as drone crop monitoring services. Periodic training sessions, with the support of ESCAP, will be organized to promote effective communication with farmers, guiding them to adopt advanced agricultural practices.

With the support of ESCAP, BharatRohan aims