Month: October 2014
CIMMYT prepares to launch second phase of SIMLESA in Kenya and Tanzania
Innovations
Representatives from the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation (QAAFI), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the national agricultural research systems (NARS) of Kenya and Tanzania, and CIMMYT scientists from Ethiopia, Kenya and Zimbabwe met between 14-17 October in Arusha, Tanzania, to finalize activities to meet the objectives of the second phase of CIMMYT’s Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Cropping Systems for Food Security in Eastern and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) project.
Gender matters in farm power
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
The goals of the Farm Power and Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Intensification (FACASI) project are to address the issues of declining farm power in eastern and southern Africa, and to reduce the labor burden that comes with low farm mechanization, by promoting small-scale mechanization based on two-wheel tractors.
Raising wheat productivity across North Africa and West Asia
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Wheat is a staple and strategic crop across most of North Africa and West Asia, accounting for almost 40 percent of the region’s total food supply.
China’s wheat production critical to global food security
Climate adaptation and mitigation
China’s domestic agricultural activities are vital to ensuring food security for its 1.4 billion people and – as the world’s largest wheat producer – the country plays a major role in shaping international markets.
Of wheat, weight, gluten and food intolerances
Nutrition, health and food security
A popular dietary trend involves the elimination of wheat- and gluten-containing foods inspired in part by the book “Wheat Belly” written by cardiologist William Davis.
National Geographic examines the challenge of feeding the world
Nutrition, health and food security
“With the population expected to rise by about a third by 2050, crop production worldwide will need to double to keep up with the rising demand for grains – which are also fed to animals – as the developing world becomes prosperous enough to eat more meat” warned an article published in National Geographic on 3 October.
MasAgro-Maize partners attend maize germplasm development and evaluation course
Capacity development
From 22-26 September, MasAgro-Maize partners and representatives from national seed companies and the University of Guadalajara (UdG) attended a Maize Germplasm Development and Evaluation course. Attendees met with CIMMYT’s maize breeders, experts and scientists, as well as invited lecturers.
Young researchers trained to develop resilient farming systems
Capacity development
Participants learned about crop management technologies based on conservation agriculture and acquired skills to plan strategic research trials.
Scale-appropriate mechanization: the intercontinental connection
Capacity development
CIMMYT aims to improve the livelihoods of poor farmers in the developing world by providing practical solutions for more efficient and sustainable farming. Among the options to improve efficiency, scale-appropriate and precise planting machinery is a crucial yet rarely satisfied need
CIMMYT Ethiopia expands its agronomy work in wheat-based systems
Innovations
CIMMYT Ethiopia joined the Ethiopian Highlands project of Africa RISING ‘Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation’ in June.
CIMMYT observes the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Nutrition, health and food security
According to the Millennium Development Goals Report of 2013, the proportion of people living in extreme poverty (less than US $1.25 a day) has been halved at the global level, yet 1.2 billion people still live in extreme poverty.
Celebrate World Food Day with CIMMYT on 16 October
Nutrition, health and food security
Join CIMMYT in celebrating World Food Day on 16 October!
CIMMYT recognizes the International Day of Rural Women
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
15 October 2014 will mark the sixth celebration of the International Day of Rural Women, a United Nations (UN) day dedicated to recognizing “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”
Wheat area expansion faces a headwind requiring increased spending on R&D to raise yields
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Over the last 50 years big increases in agricultural production have come through improved yields. Since 1990, wheat is the only major crop to experience an overall decline in area.
