Genetic resources
Collaborating to accelerate genetic gains in maize and wheat
Innovations
Tremendous impact is arising from the longstanding cooperation between CIMMYT’s maize and wheat programs and national programs in countries where CIMMYT works.
Massive-scale genomic study reveals wheat diversity for crop improvement
Environmental health and biodiversity
A team of scientists has completed one of the largest genetic analyses ever done of any agricultural crop to find desirable traits in wheat’s extensive and unexplored diversity.
Reaching women with improved maize and wheat
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The new AGG project aims to respond to the climate emergency and gender nexus through gender-intentional product profiles for its improved seed varieties and gender-intentional seed delivery pathways.
Unique partnership to transform maize breeding and production in Africa
Innovations
Stakeholders take stock of ongoing work to bring farmers superior hybrids using two novel technologies.
New project to ramp up genetic gains in maize for better livelihoods
Nutrition, health and food security
The new AGG project has a strong focus on more synergistic and supportive partnerships with national programs to help improve the effectiveness of their breeding efforts.
Annual Report 2019 launched
Innovations
CIMMYT’s work may begin with seeds, but our innovations support farmers at all stages of the value chain.
The many colors of maize, the material of life
Environmental health and biodiversity
The use of corn husk as veneer has helped a town to preserve maize biodiversity, protect the environment and reduce migration.
Plant-based materials catch on with home-goods designers
Capacity development
Source: The Manila Times (26 May 2020)
Mexican designer Fernando Laposse partnered with CIMMYT and works with a village of Mixtec farmers to transform unused maize husks into furniture.
Preserving the legacy of biodiversity
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Maize and wheat seeds from all over the world are preserved at the CIMMYT genebank, used to bring new varieties to farmers, and backed up at the Global Seed Vault.
One-minute science: Cesar Petroli and genomic profiles
Capacity development
Developing genomic profiles of DNA samples can accelerate the breeding process.
New greenhouse honors scientist, aims to further maize wild relatives research
Nutrition, health and food security
In an environment designed for experimental study and regeneration, maize ancestors can thrive.
Why heirloom tortillas are an endangered species
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: Maclean's (6 Mar 2020)
Preserving ancient maize landraces in Mexico is key for biodiversity, food security and future sustainability.
Bringing landraces back home, 50 years later
Nutrition, health and food security
Half a century earlier, scientists collected and preserved samples of maize landraces in Morelos, Mexico. Now, descendants of those farmers were able to get back their ancestral maize seeds and, with them, a piece of their family history.
Development of the Enterprise Breeding System well underway
Innovations
Piloting the system in will begin in 2020, with more advanced functions to follow in the next three years.
Mexico wants to remain the maize nation
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Excelsior (26 Jan 2020)
CIMMYT germplasm bank samples are the basis for development of new maize seeds used in the MasAgro Program.