biodiversity
Preserving the legacy of biodiversity
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.
Coronavirus lockdown diets look the same the world over: Bread, beans, and comfort food
Source: Fortune (18 Apr 2020)
Biodiversity loss poses dangers for the robustness of the environment, the safety of our food supply chain and potential exposure to pandemics.
Why Conserving Biodiversity Is Crucial to Prevent Future Pandemics
Source: The Wire (14 Apr 2020)
Biodiversity loss creates new opportunities for pathogens to move from one species to another.
Safeguarding biodiversity is essential to prevent the next COVID-19
Experts share their insights on the link between biodiversity loss and emerging infectious diseases.
Why heirloom tortillas are an endangered species
Source: Maclean's (6 Mar 2020)
Preserving ancient maize landraces in Mexico is key for biodiversity, food security and future sustainability.
One-minute science: Trent Blare and blue maize products
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.
Corn Fed: A Tortilla Revolution in Queens
Source: Culinary Backstreets (2 Dec 2019)
Food entrepreneur worked with CIMMYT researcher to create a fair market for farmers with surplus heirloom maize in Mexico.
Blue maize is all the rage, but are consumers willing to pay?
Study gives insight into Mexican consumers’ preferences and demand for blue maize tortillas.
Tracing maize landraces, 50 years later
Scientists track down the families in Morelos, Mexico, who donated maize landraces to CIMMYT in 1966-67. Would they still be cultivating them?
The Molecular Maize Atlas encourages genetic diversity
With so much germplasm to categorize, what’s the best way to label them? Seeds of Discovery is working on the answer.
Growing need for food is reason for more biodiversity
A recent study in Ethiopia has concluded that encouraging biodiversity on and around agricultural land likely increases its productivity.
The itsy bitsy spider can make a big impact in agriculture
A new study explores how conservation agriculture in southern Africa supports spider populations and diversity, which could help mitigate pest damage.
Preserving native maize and culture in Mexico
Indigenous farmers in Oaxaca are custodians of maize biodiversity, growing seeds passed down over generations.