landraces
The many colors of maize, the material of life
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
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.
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.
Bringing landraces back home, 50 years later
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.
Saving the giant
CIMMYT scientists engage to preserve the Jala maize landrace, famous for producing the longest maize ears in the world.
Back from the brink of extinction
Visiting scientist Roi Ben-David discusses Israel’s exotic germplasm gap and ongoing efforts to restore the country’s lost wheat landrace collections.
New association formed to support smallholder native maize farmers in Mexico
ProMaĂz Nativo will promote small-scale landrace maize farmers through certification and fair market access.
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?
Chicago’s tortillas are better than ever, thanks to Masienda’s heirloom corn from Oaxaca
Source: Chicago Tribune (22 Apr 2019)
Three million subsistence farmers producing heirloom corn in Mexico are protecting biodiversity.
