Climate adaptation and mitigation
Climate change threatens to reduce global crop production, and poor people in tropical environments will be hit the hardest. More than 90% of CIMMYT’s work relates to climate change, helping farmers adapt to shocks while producing more food, and reduce emissions where possible. Innovations include new maize and wheat varieties that withstand drought, heat and pests; conservation agriculture; farming methods that save water and reduce the need for fertilizer; climate information services; and index-based insurance for farmers whose crops are damaged by bad weather. CIMMYT is an important contributor to the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.
CIMMYT scientist to assume leadership role at the American Society of Agronomy
Capacity development
CIMMYT Principal Scientist Ortiz-Monasterio appointed as 2017 Global Agronomy Section Vice Chair of the American Society of Agronomy.
Maize: From Mexico to the world
Climate adaptation and mitigation
For Mexicans, the “children of corn,” maize is entwined in life, history and tradition. It is not just a crop; it is central to their identity.
Harnessing maize biodiversity for food security, improved livelihoods in Africa
Capacity development
Diverse, stress tolerant maize varieties are benefiting smallholders throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
New Publications: Maize Lethal Necrosis survey reveals farmer impact, future needs
Capacity development
A new study reveals the need for continued development of maize varieities resistant to MLN and strengthening farmer resilience.
Bayer collaboration promises new innovations for South Asia farms
Climate adaptation and mitigation
CIMMYT and Bayer’s Crop Science team are looking for practical solutions to future climate-change related challenges in South Asian agriculture.
Helping Nepalese farmers adapt to climate change
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Cornell University’s Linda McCandless describes some of the agricultural challenges Nepalese farmers face after the devastating 2015 earthquake
Global wheat breeding returns billions in benefits but stable financing remains elusive
Climate adaptation and mitigation
What do a chapati, a matza, or couscous have in common? The answer is wheat, which is a source for one-fifth of the calories and protein consumed globally.
CIMMYT kicks off 50th anniversary celebrations in southern Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
CIMMYT’s Southern Africa regional office celebrated 50 years of agriculture research for development in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Millions of smallholders in Africa benefit from climate resilient drought-tolerant maize
Climate adaptation and mitigation
At least 40 million smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are profiting from more than 200 new drought-tolerant varieties of maize.
Tackling challenges to cereal production through cross-crop collaborations
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Cropping systems can become more resilient in the face of climate change through better coordination and standardization.
Will El Niño be a wake-up call to invest in food security solutions?
Capacity development
In southern Africa close to 50 million people are projected to be affected by droughts caused by the current El Niño, write CIMMYT scientists.
Cereal systems in South Asia show diverse benefits of conservation agriculture
Capacity development
Conservation agriculture practices are climate-smart, helping farmers adapt to climate change while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, researchers say.
Scientists aim to adapt wheat to a warmer climate with less water
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Scientists battling to increase wheat production by more than 60 percent over the next 35 years to meet projected demand are optimistic that they have begun to unravel some genetic mysteries.
The legacy of drought tolerant maize for Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa project has contributed towards improving the seed system in sub-Saharan Africa in the face of extreme drought.
Drought tolerant maize: Long-run science, investments, and partnerships pay off in Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Before climate change became a hot topic, the U.N. Development Programme provided funding for a team of scientists in Mexico to find a better way to breed resilient maize for farmers in drought-prone tropical areas.
