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From Diversity to Impact: The Power of Diversity Funding Facility Identifies Priority Opportunity Crops for Investment

Bonn, Germany, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Horse gram from India and Nigeria’s ancient grain fonio are among the dazzling variety of opportunity crops singled out for special attention in the coming years by over 250 farmers, scientists and policymakers across seven countries. This marks the successful completion of the crucial first step in the work of the Power of Diversity Funding Facility, an ambitious global initiative launched by the Crop Trust earlier this year.

Backed by €10 million from Germany through KfW Development Bank and €2 million from Ireland via its Department of Foreign Affairs, the Funding Facility will promote the conservation, production and consumption of high–potential opportunity crops. These plants are resilient, nutrient–rich and deeply tied to local traditions – yet overlooked by research and investment. Until now.

Across the participating countries, national partners convened inclusive dialogues that brought together farmers, researchers and policymakers to decide which crops should take center stage. This process was supported by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, which brought to bear decades of expertise on neglected and underutilized crops, particularly in Africa.

  • Colombia – Agrosavia, supported by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, guided discussions that highlighted peach palm and chayote for their strong nutritional value and untapped market potential.
  • Nigeria – The National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) led a process that singled out fonio and pigeon pea, both recognized for their role in strengthening resilience and supporting food security in rural and urban diets alike.
  • Zambia – Experts and farmers convened by the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) chose cowpea and sorghum – crops able to withstand harsh conditions while still providing reliable nutrition.
  • Kenya – The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) coordinated a dialogue that elevated amaranth, valued for both its leaves and grains, and finger millet, praised for its versatility and cultural importance.
  • India – The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) brought together diverse voices that emphasized horse gram and yams – traditional staples now in need of renewed research attention.
  • Tanzania – The Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), working with the Crop Trust’s BOLDER initiative, facilitated a broad consultation that identified finger millet, Bambara groundnut, moringa, sweetpotato (especially its leaves) and jute mallow as priority crops for both nutrition and resilience.
  • Uganda – Also in partnership with BOLDER, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) led a process that selected jackfruit, pearl millet, pumpkin, cowpea and amaranth for their contribution to diets today and their potential to expand economic opportunities for smallholders.

The next phase of the Power of Diversity Funding Facility will build on this momentum, says Nico Wilms–Posen, who coordinates the Funding Facility. Project activities will focus on securing the diversity of the selected crops in genebanks and ensuring it is available to breeders and farmers.

At the same time, the project will strengthen value chains by improving seed availability, conducting nutritional studies and engaging with consumers to promote these crops. Knowledge will also be shared with national policymakers to help give opportunity crops the recognition they deserve, within the partner countries and beyond.

“These crops were selected by those who know their farming and food systems best,” said Dr Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust. “By focusing on opportunity crops, we can meet the challenges facing tomorrow’s food systems. These crops can open economic opportunities for farmers and deliver benefits to communities now, while safeguarding the future of food.”

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About the Crop Trust
The Crop Trust is an international organization working to conserve crop diversity and thus protect global food and nutrition security. At the core of Crop Trust is an endowment fund dedicated to providing guaranteed long–term financial support to key genebanks worldwide. The Crop Trust supports the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and coordinates large–scale projects worldwide to secure crop diversity and make it available for use, globally forever and for the benefit of everyone. The Crop Trust is recognized as an essential element of the funding strategy of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Learn more at www.croptrust.org 

About the Power of Diversity Funding Facility
The Power of Diversity Funding Facility is a multi–donor initiative managed by the Crop Trust, dedicated to conserving, cultivating and promoting the consumption of relatively neglected opportunity crops across Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Learn more: https://www.croptrust.org/what–we–do/projects/power–of–diversity–funding–facility/

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US Passport Power Plummets to Historic Low

LONDON, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For the first time since the Henley Passport Index was created 20 years ago, the United States is no longer ranked amongst the world’s Top 10 most powerful passports. Once unrivalled at No.1 in 2014, the American passport has now slumped to 12th place, tied with Malaysia, with visa–free access to only 180 of 227 destinations worldwide. The Asian trifecta of Singapore (access to 193 destinations visa–free), South Korea (190 destinations), and Japan (189) now occupy the top three spots on the index, powered by exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The decline of the US passport and its most recent drop from 10th to 12th position on the index has been driven by a series of access changes. The loss of visa–free access to Brazil in April due to a lack of reciprocity, and the US being left out of China’s rapidly expanding visa–free list, marked the start of its downward slide. This was followed by adjustments from Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, which further eroded the US score while boosting other passports. Most recently, Somalia’s launch of a new eVisa system and Vietnam’s decision to exclude the US from its latest visa–free additions delivered the final blow, pushing it out of the Top 10.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, says: “The declining strength of the US passport over the past decade is more than just a reshuffle in rankings — it signals a fundamental shift in global mobility and soft power dynamics. Nations that embrace openness and cooperation are surging ahead, while those resting on past privilege are being left behind.”

Similarly, the UK passport has fallen to its lowest–ever position on the index, slipping two places since July, from 6th to 8th place, despite also once holding the top spot (in 2015).

Visa Reciprocity Matters More

While American passport holders can currently access 180 destinations visa–free, the US itself allows only 46 other nationalities to enter without a visa. This puts it way down in 77th place on the Henley Openness Index, which ranks all 199 countries and territories worldwide according to the number of nationalities they permit entry to without a prior visa. 

This disparity between visa free access and openness is one of the widest globally — second only to Australia, and just ahead of Canada, New Zealand, and Japan. Annie Pforzheimer, Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, notes that America’s retreat is rooted in politics. “Even before a second Trump presidency, US policy had turned inward. That isolationist mindset is now being reflected in America’s loss of passport power.”

China’s Ascent: A Decade of Gains

In sharp contrast, China has been among the biggest climbers on the Henley Passport Index over the past decade, leaping from 94th place in 2015 to 64th in 2025, with its visa–free access score increasing by 37 destinations during that time.

On the Henley Openness Index, China has also risen dramatically, granting visa–free access to an additional 30 countries in the past year alone. It now sits in 65th position, providing entry to 76 nations — 30 more than the US.

Recent developments, including granting visa free access to Russia, underscore Beijing’s ongoing strategy of increased openness. China’s moves — alongside new agreements with the Gulf states, South America, and several European countries — are cementing its role as a global mobility powerhouse, bolstering the Asia–Pacific region’s dominance in travel freedom.

Dr. Tim Klatte, Partner at Grant Thornton China, highlights the geopolitical implications: “Trump’s return to power has bought fresh trade conflicts that weaken America’s mobility, while China’s strategic openness boosts its global influence. These diverging paths will reshape economic and travel dynamics worldwide.”

Americans Lead Global Rush for Second Citizenships

The decline in US passport power is fueling an unprecedented surge in demand for alternative residence and citizenship options. Henley & Partners data shows that Americans have become by far the largest group of applicants for investment migration programs in 2025. By the end of Q3, applications from US nationals were already 67% higher than the total for 2024, which itself recorded a 60% year–on–year increase.

Prof. Peter J. Spiro of Temple University Law School in Philadelphia says while US citizenship remains a valuable status, it’s no longer good enough as a standalone. “In coming years, more Americans will be acquiring additional citizenships in whatever way they can. Multiple citizenship is being normalized in American society. While it may be a bit of an exaggeration, as one social media poster recently put it, 'dual citizenship is the new American dream'.”

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Contact:
Sarah Nicklin
[email protected]
+27 72 464 8965


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