Welcome to 2025!
2024 was another very busy and productive year for the Rupantar project, and has set us up well leading into the latter stages of the project.
Our on-ground implementation has been progressing at full pace, and we now have nine collaboratively developed Diversification Pathways implemented across our three locations – you can read more details about them here. We are very encouraged by the support from and strengthening of local networks, and can see scaling happening already in some locations.
We worked hard to build our understanding of the context for diversification and scaling from qualitative and quantitative perspectives, both to help shape our Diversification Pathways and to contribute to the wider evidence base. This has resulted in a whole suite of publications and at last count have submitted 17, some of which have been published, and the rest are in the pipeline; keep an eye out for these in the coming months.
The Mid Term Review in September was a great opportunity to take stock of the project’s achievements to date, and also to ensure we are oriented properly to deliver as intended and capture emerging opportunities.
A highlight of the year included the Australia Awards funded short course on Supporting climate-smart resilient food production networks in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, which saw 15 of the project team travel to South Australia in October. It was excellent for them to have the opportunity to travel to Australia and learn about our systems firsthand and explore relevant solutions to take home.
We were thrilled that three of the CIMMYT team would be starting their PhDs at UoA in 2025 with full scholarships. Although they will be missed, this has meant new faces in the team who are bringing different experiences and perspectives to our work, which is highly valued.
With thanks to the whole team who have worked hard to implement, document, analyse and communicate for the project, we start 2025 enthusiastically and ready for another dynamic year, where we will focus on:
Continued implementation of the Diversification Pathways, including reviewing what is working and what isn’t
Monitoring change related to the DPs, both from qualitative and quantitative perspectives, including defining trade-offs and synergies for different family members, households, and communities
Continuing to build our capacity in partnerships, climate adaptation and prioritisation (including water management)
Sharing our findings with a widespread but targeted audience