Month: June 2016
HarvestPlus World Food Prize laureates benefit more than 10 million people
Nutrition, health and food security
HarvestPlus director Howarth Bouis is one of four winners of the 2016 World Food Prize for research leading to a substantial increase in the availability of nutritious biofortified crops.
Smallholders in Rwanda and Zambia to enhance wheat productivity through new project
Capacity development
A new project aims to over double wheat production in target areas of Zambia and Rwanda to help smallholders meet rising demand and cope with high import costs.
Education, supportive policies key to making biotechnology work for Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Increasing public understanding and creating supportive policies key recommendations at a session on boosting Africa’s use of biotechnology.
New Publications: Land availability and smallholder development in Zambia
Nutrition, health and food security
New publications from CIMMYT staff cover challenges in land availability in Zambia among other updates in maize and wheat.
New multi-crop zero-till planter boosts yields and farming efficiency in Pakistan
Capacity development
A new planter that promotes dry seeding of rice, saves water and increases planting efficiency is being used increasingly in Pakistan’s Punjab Province.
Building a sustainable future: A history of conservation agriculture in southern Africa
Capacity development
Since 2004, conservation agriculture has helped farmers in southern Africa maintain and boost yields, protect the environment and increase profits.
CIMMYT’s knowledge sharing efforts contribute to improved seed production in Africa
Capacity development
A training held from June 13 – 23, 2016 emphasized hand pollination in maize variety development and seed multiplication.
Bhutan and Bangladesh join forces to combat threat of rust diseases
Capacity development
For the first time, Bhutan and Bangladesh are collaborating on evaluating Bangladeshi wheat lines for resistance to yellow and leaf rusts.
Action needed to adapt maize breeding to climate change, report shows
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Breeding and seed systems must immediately adapt to changing climates if major loss of maize yields is to be avoided, a new report shows.
Launch of new geo-informatics tool
CIMMYT has launched the beta version of a geo-informatics technology that will help scientists forecast crop yields and identify other benefits to farmers.
Scientists trained on breeding program management, statistical data analysis
Capacity development
A training course on maize breeding program management and statistical data analysis was held from 23-27 May 2016 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Seeding the future: Emergency support for drought-affected farmers in Ethiopia
Capacity development
The 2015-2016 El Niño has led to drought leaving 10.2 million people – more than 1 in 10 Ethiopians – in need of emergency food assistance.
New Publications: Advances in breeding for future climates
Climate adaptation and mitigation
New advances in heat-tolerant wheat in South Asia and how physiological breeding can help increase yields.
Pakistan maize stakeholders discuss progress
Capacity development
CIMMYT’s Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) held its annual maize working group meeting on 10-11 May.
CIMMYT expands registered maize hybrids to western Nepal
Capacity development
CIMMYT and partners are supporting the expansion of registered hybrid maize and to help increase the crop’s productivity throughout the country.
