Sustainable agrifood systems
One-minute science: Trent Blare and blue maize products
Environmental health and biodiversity
Consumers near Mexico City perceived blue maize tortillas to taste better. They were willing to pay up to a third more to buy them for special family events or to consume them in restaurants.
Moving out of poverty or staying poor
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Is it up to the village men? Or women, too?
New publication: Scaling agricultural mechanization services in smallholder farming systems
Innovations
Study shows service provider models in Africa, Latin America and South Asia increase smallholder access to agricultural machinery, but can remain dependent on projects to tackle major bottlenecks for scaling.
Smartphones drive data collection revolution, boost climate-smart agriculture in Bangladesh
Climate adaptation and mitigation
For the first time widespread monitoring examines how farmers are coping with climate stresses.
Global greenhouse gas emissions from the food system
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Global climate frameworks miss the “big picture” on food, say scientists.
One-minute science: Khondoker Mottaleb on how to meet food demand by 2030
Nutrition, health and food security
Studying changing food consumption patterns in the context of urbanization and economic and population growth helps plan for the future.
Global climate frameworks miss the ‘big picture’ on food
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Thomson Reuters (18 Feb 2020)
Schemes may fall short of ambitions by dealing separately with food production, supply and consumption.
‘Sharing’ or ‘sparing’ land?
Environmental health and biodiversity
How can we feed more people while protecting nature and biodiversity?
New year, new beginnings
Capacity development
Women in West Bengal form farmer groups and cooperatives drawing on sustainable agricultural practices from CIMMYT’s SRFSI project.
New mobile app helping Latin American farmers increase crop yields by 12%
Innovations
Source: Real Wire (11 Feb 2020)
Mexican farmers in Yaqui Valley use smartphone app with satellite data to make decisions about irrigation and crop management.
One-minute science: Jelle Van Loon explains mechanization for agriculture
Innovations
Mechanization is about finding solutions for farmers in rural communities.
Include small indigenous production systems to improve rural livelihoods
Nutrition, health and food security
New research recommends targeted assistance and engagement with small farmers in rural Guatemala to improve livelihoods and reduce migration pressures.
New publications: Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates for rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The results of the study will allow farmers to get the best crop yields while saving money and reducing harmful nitrous oxide emissions.
Leasing scheme helps farmers purchase small-scale agricultural machinery
Innovations
The initiative increases agricultural productivity and enhances food security in Ethiopia.
What is conservation agriculture?
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Farmers are increasingly adopting conservation agriculture practices. This sustainable farming method is based on three principles: crop diversification, minimal soil movement and permanent soil cover.