In 2023, the CGIAR Research Initiative on Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) addressed the nexus of poverty, social inequities, malnutrition, environmental degradation, and climate change through research and innovation. Collaborating with 10 CGIAR Research Initiatives, engaging with five bilateral projects aligned with Initiative goals, and partnering with two CGIAR Platforms, TAFSSA improved farmer livelihoods and resilience, enhanced access to sustainable diets, and conserved regional environmental resources amid climate change challenges.

Multistakeholder engagement is central to TAFSSA. The Initiative worked with 189 demand, innovation, and scaling partners, and hundreds of public- and private-sector stakeholders. Scientists and partners developed and executed a first-of-its-kind integrated agrifood system assessment across five districts in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Data were collected from 4,000 households and 246 food markets on farm production, resource management, markets, and consumer habits, resulting in 40 research notes published in collaboration with partners, providing thorough baseline assessments of agrifood systems indicators, and offering research- and evidence-based policy recommendations.

The Initiative showcased its convening power at the Delivering for Nutrition in South Asia conference, attracting more than 1,200 participants and 159 research presentations. TAFSSA also co-supported wise use of groundwater and energy for irrigation, engaging 70 institutions from 16 countries in a landmark regional knowledge forum.

TAFSSA accelerates the pace at which scientific innovations move into large-scale development impact. Scaling research included participatory on-farm diversification trials in India, engaging 1,700 farmers in field days, and tested sociotechnical innovation bundles in Bangladesh with 640 farmers, focusing on crop diversification and nutrition training. Field days reached nearly 11,000 households across Bangladesh and Nepal, and 10,472 farmers in coastal Bangladesh mitigated extreme weather–induced loss and damage to mung bean through bundled climate service and agro-advisory innovations.