Projects
Explore our latest interdisciplinary research on gender equity and inclusive innovation in global agricultural systems.
01
Lab members involved: Canaan Boyer, Hale Tufan
Years: 2020 – present
We provide support to develop and expand cassava seed systems in Tanzania with targeted outreach to the Western Zone, Central and Southern Highlands regions. We focus on engaging rural farmers, particularly women and youth.
02
Lab members involved: David Brown, Erica Lopez, Dumisani Moyo, Martina Occelli, Ida Tarjem, Hale Tufan
Years: 2019 – 2025
We partner with scientists and stakeholders around the globe to co-develop tools, technologies, and methods in crop improvement that address local concerns and focus on building equitable community impact. Our aim is to listen to national agricultural research institutes as they define their own goals and drive advancement to breed resilient crop varieties that stand up to pests, diseases and climate change. We believe that if national programs play a central role in designing innovations that prioritize and target their unique needs then these solutions will be more sustainable in the long-term.
03
Monitoring Impacts for Technology Adoption and Program Engagement in Bangladesh (MIXTAPE)
Lab members involved: Martina Occelli, Hale Tufan, Kushal Kumar
Years: 2024 – present
MIXTAPE is a country-level study of the dynamics of agricultural innovation in Bangladesh. What is the outreach of improved agricultural innovations in Bangladesh? How does the adoption of these innovations vary over time and what are the impacts on individuals, households, markets, the agri-food system at large, and the environment? Focusing on CGIAR-related agricultural innovations in the field of rice and aquaculture, the project targets impact assessment as a dynamic household and system-level analysis.
MIXTAPE brings together a multidisciplinary team from five research institutions, jointly led by Cornell and Bangladesh Agricultural University, combining experts in the field of agricultural economics, remote sensing, natural resource management (including crop breeding and aquaculture), cropping system ecology, behavioral sciences and gender in agriculture.
04
Lab members involved: Martina Occelli, Hale Tufan
Years: 2015 – 2025
The Feed the Future Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership is funded by a five-year $10 million grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative. The project continues efforts to introduce genetically modified eggplant varieties that are resistant to devastating insect infestations and can reduce or eliminate the need for harmful pesticides.
05
Lab members involved: Canaan Boyer, David Brown, Hale Tufan
Years: 2023 – 2025
Our overarching purpose is to contribute, through the development of market-preferred, gender-sensitive, and climate-resilient roots, tubers and bananas, to poverty alleviation, food and nutrition security, and overall quality of life of smallholder farmers, processors, and consumers in rural and urban areas [of sub-Saharan Africa].
