2023 CGIAR Annual
Report

In 2023, CGIAR and its valued partners around the world continued to pioneer and deliver solutions addressing the most urgent challenges, while partnering to deliver and scale impact.”

Leaders' Message

Advancing Nutrition, Health, and Food Security

CGIAR Executive Managing Director Ismahane Elouafi and CGIAR System Board Chair Lindiwe Majele Sibanda highlight 2023 key achievements, and preview the report’s theme of nutrition, health, and food security.

Portfolio & Results

Our 2023 Annual Report highlights the significant strides made by CGIAR in our ongoing mission to transform food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. This year’s report theme focuses on a critical aspect central to our goals: nutrition, health, and food security. Please explore our results across our three Science Groups (and their 32 Research Initiatives), Regional Integrated Initiatives, our coordinating Impact Areas, and our Research Centers.

Key results stories

Center Success Stories

Impact Areas

In collaboration with around 3,000 partners, CGIAR advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by targeting five key Impact Areas. Each Impact Area Platform focuses on research and innovation aimed at achieving significant, enduring, and scalable impacts.

Our Impact in Numbers

Slide for more impacts

Nutrition

people

2.1 million people

Over 2.1 million people in 2023 used CGIAR innovations to support nutrition, health, and food security. 

business

1,786 partners

We worked with 1,786 partners to combat hunger and malnutrition, and improve well-being. 

results

2,942 results

Our research produced 2,942 results contributing to better health, and enhanced food and nutrition security. 

innovation

464 innovations

We produced 464 innovations to support health and combat hunger. 

Climate

people

22.4 million people

More than 22.4 million people used CGIAR innovations to mitigate or adapt to climate change. This included more than 1.3 million and 1.8 million men. 

business

1,887 partners

Up to 1,887 partners were engaged on climate-focused results at the ground level. 

results

4,505 results

Our scientists produced more than 4,505 results that contributed to SDG 13 on Climate Action, including publications, analyses and methods. 

innovation

548 climate solutions

At least 548 field-ready climate solutions were shared to help smallholders adapt to climate change and reduce emissions from agriculture. 

Environment

people

1.2 million people

Over 1.2 million people used CGIAR innovations to improve environmental health and biodiversity. 

business

1,813 partners

A total of 1,813 partners worked with us on supporting conservation of biodiversity and a healthy environment. 

results

2,460 results

Our researchers produced 2,460 results contributing to SDGs 14 and 15 on life below water, and life on land.

innovation

504 new innovations

Our researchers produced around 504 new innovations to support environmental health and biodiversity worldwide.

Gender

people

16 million people

More than 16 million people used CGIAR innovations to support gender equality, youth, and social inclusion. 

business

1,594 partners

Up to 1,594 partners were engaged with efforts for equality and inclusion on the ground. 

results

1,028 results

As many as 1028 results were recorded that contributed to SDG 10 on reduced inequalities. 

innovation

413 innovations

Research produced around 413 innovations supporting greater equality between men and women, and inclusion of youth and other minorities in food systems. 

Poverty

people

21 million people

Over 21 million people used CGIAR innovations to support poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs.

business

1,821 partners

As many as 1,821 partners worked with us on transforming food systems to provide better jobs, income, and stable livelihoods. 

results

4,767 results

We recorded up to 4,767 results that contributed to SDG 1 on ending poverty in all its forms. 

innovation

394 innovations

Our research produced 394 innovations to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. 

Regions & Partnerships

With around 3,000 partners, collaboration is essential to CGIAR’s approach. We work with small-scale farmers and associations, national universities and governments, global networks, and more. CGIAR engages across six key regions, aligning its strengths with regional needs. Please also explore an expanded focus on two key countries: Ghana and Guatemala.

Regions

Partnerships

Countries Focus

Digital Transformation

CGIAR integrates cutting-edge digital solutions into our scientific innovations. And we use digital technologies to enable our business units and research programs. In 2023, we made substantial advances in deploying digital solutions that will help us tackle global challenges.

Events & Awards

Explore a selection of CGIAR Centers and researchers awarded for their outstanding work, along with highlights from our key global event participation in 2023.

Our Operations

Our operations teams are committed to ensuring CGIAR is a value-driven, high-performing organization. In 2023, CGIAR made progress ensuring we are an inclusive and enabling organization, a transparent financial manager, and an effective manager of digital and data assets.

Oversight & Assurance

CGIAR’s Advisory Services, Internal Audit, and Ethics & Business Conduct teams are crucial in ensuring that best practices are maintained within our organization and in our external collaborations.

Policies help governments navigate the cost-of-living challenge

In 2023, National Policies and Strategies (NPS) made a significant impact, supporting governments in Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Odisha (India), Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda by providing critical policy advice to address the high-cost-of-living crisis. The results boost food security and livelihoods.

Building on the impact assessment of the Ukraine-Russia war conducted in collaboration with the Foresight Initiative in 2022, partner governments requested further policy support from NPS specifically related to agricultural, economic, and social policy areas. NPS responded swiftly to these requests, fostering a collaborative approach by co-creating 16 new policy outcomes with its national partners.

A confluence of crises, both global and local, in the past few years has led to a rise in poverty, malnutrition, and a significant strain on national economies. From increasing food and energy prices to the depreciation of local currencies and reduced fiscal space, these challenges have had a significant impact on the most vulnerable populations in particular. To address these challenges, and recognizing that effective solutions require a deep understanding of local contexts and stakeholder needs, NPS continued to expand its collaborative approach in 2023. This entailed working closely with government officials, agricultural experts, national think tanks, and the private sector in each partner country. This collaborative spirit ensured policy recommendations were not only technically sound but also trusted by partners. Examples of this targeted support include:

Fertilizer policy reforms: Research by NPS revealed the negative impact of high fertilizer prices on poverty, informing the launch of a national fertilizer subsidy program in Kenya, with follow-on research recommending to improve program targeting and increase private sector involvement in the subsidy program. NPS research also informed recommendations on fertilizer sector deregulation to attract private investment in local production and distribution in Nigeria, aiming to improve access and affordability for farmers. Similarly, research in Ethiopia highlighted affordability as a key constraint for fertilizer adoption and provided critical data to guide reforms.

Social safety nets and gender policy: To combat the cost-of-living crisis, NPS actively aided partner governments in strengthening social safety nets and gender policies. In Egypt, findings from the evaluation of the Takaful and Karama cash transfer programs and the related graduation program, Forsa, supported the government’s decision to expand the programs from 2.2 to 3.8 million households and adjust programs’ designs. In India, NPS supported an inspirational information campaign that empowers women and builds resilience, and is informing the design of the Vulnerable Tribal Group Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Program.

Economic policy and agricultural investments: Research in Nigeria and Egypt updated policymakers on the impacts of high inflation and removing fuel subsidies. NPS research is also helping to shape:

  • The Livestock Strategy (PSTA-5) and Investment Policy in Rwanda.
  • The agricultural investment plans in Kenya.
  • The National Fishery and Aquaculture Plan and the National
  • Potato Strategy in Nigeria.
  • Food system transformation in Odisha/India.
  • Land policies in Colombia.

In Kenya, NPS further strengthened the science-policy interface to inform food system transformation in the context of the national development strategy, the Kenya Bottom-up Economic Transformation Plan.

NPS work continues to be a testament to the power of collaborative research to inform policymaking. Looking ahead, NPS stands ready to partner with a renewed sense of urgency to address emerging challenges and ensure inclusive, sustainable transformation of food, land, and water systems.

We look forward to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development’s continued collaboration with IFPRI, CGIAR and other partners in creating research-based policy recommendations that will lead to a brighter, healthier future for all Kenyans. — Honorable, Mithika Linturi, Cabinet Secretary (Minister) of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya