Asia
As a fast growing region with increasing challenges for smallholder farmers, Asia is a key target region for CIMMYT. CIMMYT’s work stretches from Central Asia to southern China and incorporates system-wide approaches to improve wheat and maize productivity and deliver quality seed to areas with high rates of child malnutrition. Activities involve national and regional local organizations to facilitate greater adoption of new technologies by farmers and benefit from close partnerships with farmer associations and agricultural extension agents.
In fond memory of Paula Kantor (1969-2015)
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Paula had an exceptionally sharp, analytical mind and a deep understanding of how change can empower men and women to give them a better chance to influence their own lives and choose their own path.
Farmers in India embrace high-zinc wheat for its nutritional benefits
Nutrition, health and food security
More than 50,000 farmers adopted zinc-biofortified wheat varieties during the 2015-2016 crop cycle.
For development expert Paula Kantor, gender equality was crucial
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Gender and development specialist Paula Kantor had a deep understanding of how change can empower men and women to give them greater control over their own lives.
First international training workshop on farming systems analysis in India
Capacity development
The international training workshop “Approaches for integrated analysis of agricultural systems in South Asia: Field, to farm, to landscape scale,” jointly organized by CIMMYT and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), was held at Karnal, Haryana, India, during 18-23 May. The workshop targeted farming systems and agricultural development researchers in South Asia and provided an overview of the approaches and tools used to assess agricultural systems.
WPEP strengthens farmer knowledge of wheat seed production in Pakistan
Capacity development
The Wheat Productivity Enhancement Program (WPEP), led by CIMMYT and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), held technical training sessions on wheat seed production from March to May 2015 for farmer enterprise groups (FEGs) in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province. The training was held in collaboration with the Outreach Programme of the Agriculture Research System in KP Province, which formed the FEGs, each comprising 30-35 persons including farmers, seed dealers and seed company representatives.
UAVs provide researchers in NW China with a new view of agriculture
Capacity development
We have come a long way when it comes to obtaining aerial images of our research sites. My colleagues and I once used helium-filled balloons and twin cameras to obtain infrared and color images in an all-day operation; now we use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fitted with high-resolution lenses and multispectral cameras to take dozens of images over large areas in a matter of minutes.
HTMA offers stress-resilient maize hybrids to meet Bangladesh’s growing demand
Capacity development
CIMMYT’s Heat Stress Tolerant Maize for Asia (HTMA) project held a hybrid maize field day during 21-22 April at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute’s (BARI) Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS) in Khoirtola, Jessore and Gazipur. The event was attended by over 60 participants, including local maize farmers, Bangladeshi seed company representatives, agricultural input dealers, Bangladesh government seed system officers and BARI maize researchers.
Durum wheat production in Pakistan: keeping up with changing demands
Nutrition, health and food security
In response to rapidly-changing food preferences in Pakistan, including a latent unmet demand for pasta products, CIMMYT-Pakistan has been working to develop the country’s durum wheat market and varieties that satisfy the required grain quality attributes, in addition to high yields and disease resistance.
Australian visit to CIMMYT-Turkey strengthens decades-long collaboration
Capacity development
The CIMMYT Australia ICARDA Germplasm Evaluation Project (CAIGE) organized a visit for Australian breeders to Turkey during 19 April-3 May. Participants learned about the germplasm evaluation and selection activities by the International Winter Wheat Improvement Program (IWWIP, a joint enterprise of CIMMYT and the Government of Turkey), the CIMMYT-Turkey Soil Borne Pathogen (SBP) program and the Regional Rust Research Center.
CSISA mechanization meets farmers’ needs in Bihar, India
Capacity development
The CSISA project team is improving existing designs of harvest and post-harvest machinery to meet local needs.
Well-positioned for next phase, CSISA India plans for monsoon cropping season
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Project team gathers in Kathmandu to plan for the 2015 monsoon cropping season.
SUPER WOMAN: Asriani Anie Annisa Hasan protects local Indonesian maize varieties
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
SUPER WOMAN: Chhavi Tiwari aids women farmers with zinc-fortified wheat
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
SUPER WOMAN: Jeanie Borlaug Laube unites global wheat community
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
