Food from fallows: capitalizing on idle land for better food security in
South Asia 26 May 2021 Every year after the rice harvest in South Asia, a
vast area of over 15 million hectares lies.
Food from fallows: capitalizing on idle land for better food security in South Asia
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Every year after the rice harvest in South Asia, a vast area of over 15 million hectares lies idle (fallow) until the next rice planting season several months later. The region s food needs are fast accelerating along with burgeoning populations, so scientists in countries like Bangladesh, India and Nepal think the fallow land could, and should, be used for additional crops that increase farmer incomes and food security.
IFAD turned to ICARDA of the CGIAR network to carry this out. With four decades of agricultural research-for-development (R4D) experience in the region, we have built strong, trusted networks with countries and farming communities so that the science can be we thoroughly field-tested before we ask farmers to adopt it.