Americas
CIMMYT has several offices in the Americas, including global headquarters in Mexico and a regional office in Colombia. Activities are supported by an additional 140 hectares of stations in diverse agro-ecological zones of Mexico. CIMMYT’s genebank in Mexico stores 27,000 maize and 170,000 wheat seed collections – key to preserving the crop genetic diversity of the region. CIMMYT projects range from developing nutritionally enhanced maize to mapping regional climate change hot spots in Central America. The comprehensive MasAgro project aims to increase wheat production in Mexico by 9 million tons and maize production by 350,000 tons by 2030. CIMMYT promotes regional collaboration and facilitates capacity building for scientists, researchers and technicians.
Sculptor captures demeanor of Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug
Nutrition, health and food security
Artist Katharine McDevitt, creator of a new bronze representation of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Norman Borlaug, is fascinated by sculptures representing pre-Hispanic deities.
“First Lady of Wheat” in Mexico to celebrate her father, Norman Borlaug
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
The late wheat breeder Norman Borlaug was so dedicated to his work that he was away from home 80 percent of the time, either travelling or in the field, recalls his daughter, Jeanie Borlaug Laube.
Researchers define and measure “sustainability”
Capacity development
Leading specialists on the sustainable intensification of agriculture tried to hammer out indicators for assessing “sustainability,” a development term that refers roughly to the health and longevity of a system, at a 13 February workshop in San Jose, California.
Maize and wheat Super Women campaign highlights diversity
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
A social media campaign initiated to celebrate the achievements of women has led to more than a dozen published blog story contributions about women in the maize and wheat sectors.
Central American Agriculture and Livestock Council signs agreement with CIMMYT
Capacity development
The two institutions will collaborate to strengthen the seed sector, promote improved crop varieties and relevant mechanization in the region.
Food security successes earn ‘sultan of wheat’ World Food Prize
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Sanjaya Rajaram, 2014 World Food Prize laureate, is credited with producing 480 wheat varieties, leading to increased yields and food for more than 1 billion people a year.
Is gluten the new villain? The New Yorker covers the rising gluten-free trend
Nutrition, health and food security
“The most obvious question is also the most difficult to answer: How could gluten, present in a staple food that has sustained humanity for thousands of years, have suddenly become so threatening?”
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.
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.
Overview of CGIAR Development Dialogues
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The inaugural CGIAR Development Dialogues will focus attention on the vital role of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, landscapes and food systems in achieving sustainable development. The one-day event will be held at the Faculty House of Columbia University in New York City on 25 September. A by-invitation-only audience of some 300 will attend. Thousands more will be included online through live webcasting and social media channels.
University of Wisconsin students experience Mexico’s maize and culture
Capacity development
On 9 August CIMMYT-El Batán welcomed a group of 22 students and three teachers from the University of Wisconsin for a week-long stay. The students are enrolled in the university’s course for a Global Health Certificate, which introduces students to a preventive, population-level, interdisciplinary approach to health promotion.
Study shows climate change could negatively Impact maize and wheat yields by 2030
Climate adaptation and mitigation
MasAgro Móvil brings key crop Information to farmers’ mobile phones in Guanajuato
Capacity development
After registering for the service, farmers receive short, simple, timely and free agricultural information on the most innovative and profitable conservation agriculture practices.
CIAT and CIMMYT complete genetic analysis and plant breeding course in Colombia
Capacity development