Research

From the laboratory to the marketplace, CIP biologists, entomologists, agronomists, nutritionists, and social scientists conduct research and carry out projects.

CIP’s global priorities include sustaining root and tuber biodiversity; breeding more nutritious, adaptable, pest-and-disease-resistant varieties; and building resilient agro-economic-social systems for marginal populations in developing countries.

Using the Pro-Poor Research and Development model, CIP completed a rigorous targeting exercise to identify regional priorities. The first step was defining the agro-ecological regions where potato or sweetpotato cultivation is widespread among poor people, and where increasing productivity is most likely to enhance their livelihoods. These data were then combined with an analysis of livelihood indicators (income per capita, nutritional status, child mortality rates, maternal mortality, etc.).

As a result of this exercise, CIP targets five areas—three principle potato and two major sweetpotato agro-ecoregions—that offer the greatest combination of need and potential impact on incomes and livelihoods.

Building partnerships and promoting gender equity are themes common to all CIP research.