New research from ETH Zurich shows that plant water uptake under drought conditions is primarily limited by soil properties rather than plant physiology. Published in Science, the study demonstrates that increasing capillary forces in drying soils prevent plants from extracting water, helping explain why efforts to breed drought-resistant crops have had limited success. These findings have important implications for global agriculture, suggesting that improving soil management and water retention may be more effective than focusing solely on plant genetics in addressing drought stress.

A project by SWISSAID in Ecuador and Colombia combines agroecology with participatory digital tools to support smallholder farmers’ adaptation to climate change. In response to concerns raised by International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) about the exclusionary and resource-intensive nature of mainstream agri-tech, the initiative develops farmer-driven solutions through “Agroecological Adaptation Labs.” A co-created digital platform enables farmers to share knowledge, document innovations, and strengthen local resilience, offering an alternative model of inclusive and sustainable technological change.

The annual event of the Cecchini Institute at the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences BFH-HAFL focuses on what constitutes decent work in rangeland food systems. Framed within the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the event explores key dimensions such as workplace safety, human-centred technology, skills development, and equity. The programme includes a keynote, panel discussion, and interactive workshops, followed by a networking apero. The event is free and open to a broad audience.

A project led by Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) examines the potential of dynamic agroforestry (DAF) systems as a sustainable alternative to cocoa monocultures. Focusing on case studies in Ecuador and Ghana, the project analyzes adoption patterns, economic viability, and key barriers faced by smallholder farmers. By assessing cost-benefit outcomes and sector dynamics, the initiative aims to generate evidence to support policy, investment, and programming decisions. Funded by the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO) and Coop Switzerland, the project contributes to advancing resilient and environmentally sustainable cocoa value chains.

CDE researcher Gabi Sonderegger has received the Bernese Award for Environmental Research for her dissertation analysing how voluntary sustainability standards in agriculture address spillover effects beyond their immediate sphere of action. Her research systematically examined 100 major standards and 21 ecological, social, and economic spillover effects, highlighting important gaps—particularly regarding socio-economic impacts such as labour migration. The work contributes to ongoing debates on sustainability governance in globally interconnected agricultural systems and provides insights for policymakers and standard-setting organizations seeking to improve the effectiveness of sustainability instruments.