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Traditional Farmers in Kazakhstan Evaluate New Technologies and Varieties
The introduction, testing, and promotion of bed planting technologies in
Kazakhstan is one aspect of a project between CIMMYT and the German Agency for
Technical Cooperation. Partners also aim to create a regional network in
Central Asia and to identify, multiply, and promote high-yielding and disease-
resistant wheat varieties that will increase productivity and profitability in
farmers’ fields.
http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/farmers_kazakhs.htm
Maize Seed Production Course Aims to Boost Small Producers
CIMMYT maize breeders Dave Beck and Hugo Cordova organized and led a seed
production course on 6-14 September at CIMMYT headquarters in El Batan,
Mexico. The course, entitled “Production of High Quality Seed with an Emphasis
on Quality Protein Maize,” was funded in part by the Mexican national
organization SAGARPA.
http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/seed_product.htm
Results of Transgenic Wheat Trial Look Promising
CIMMYT took a historic step in March 2004 by planting a small trial of
genetically engineered wheat in its screenhouse at headquarters in El Batan,
Mexico. It was the first time that transgenic wheat has been planted in Mexico
under field-like conditions, and encouraging results have spurred plans for a
more extensive follow-up trial.
http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/dreb.htm
Weighing Pros and Cons of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa
Should Africa embrace genetically modified crops to help feed its hungry
people? That question is explored by a recent paper entitled “Debunking the
Myths of GM Crops for Africa: The Case of Bt Maize in Kenya.” The paper
compares the benefits of genetically modified crops to information available
on the risks, and finds that most objections are not backed by evidence. Hugo
De Groote, Stephen Mugo, and David Bergvinson from CIMMYT, along with Ben
Odhiambo of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, conducted the study,
which argues for a discussion based on scientific evidence and evaluation of
potential benefits against concerns.
http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/gmo_africa.htm
CIMMYT’s Guiding Principles for Developing and Deploying Genetically
Engineered Maize and Wheat Varieties
Many of the world’s poorest people are small-scale farmers, whose livelihood
is at risk because of low productivity and insecure harvests. At the same
time, poor urban and rural consumers suffer from malnutrition, the so-called
hidden hunger, which impairs productivity. The International Maize and Wheat
Improvement Center (CIMMYT), one of the Future Harvest international
agricultural research centers supported by the CGIAR, together with its
partners, works to solve these problems of poverty and food insecurity with a
range of multidisciplinary research and capacity-building activities focused
on food, agricultural, and natural resource maize and wheat systems.
http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/transg/gmo_stmt.htm
Truman State University Students See Science in Action at CIMMYT
Five undergraduate biology students from Truman State University in
Kirksville, Missouri, visited CIMMYT headquarters for four days in August to
learn about CIMMYT’s research and observe scientists working in an
international environment.
http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/truman_students.htm
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