Climate change
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.
Groundwater conservation policies help fuel air pollution crisis in northwestern India, new study finds
Later rice planting in Haryana and Punjab leads to concentrated agricultural burning in the late fall and 39% higher peak fire intensity, contributing to poor air quality.
Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers measure up
Briquetted urea and polymer-coated urea more efficient as maize fertilizers than regular urea, researchers in Nepal find.
Conservation agriculture works for farmers and for sustainable intensification
Agriculture leaders of eastern and southern Africa encourage wider adoption of conservation agriculture for the benefit of farmers, consumers and the environment.
Shifting to a demand-led maize improvement agenda
In annual meeting, STMA project partners build on the successes of research in combatting drought, heat, pests and disease.
Rebuttal letter sets the record straight on crop breeding for climate change resilience
Crop scientists refute the flawed findings of a study questioning climate resilience in modern wheat breeding.
SRFSI: The West Bengal story
In the state of West Bengal, India, farmers and entrepreneurs are finding success with the help of climate-smart conservation agriculture practices.
Book launch: Lead farmers in eastern and southern Africa
A new book draws on experiences of men and women farmers across eastern and southern Africa who bravely embraced change to improve their farming methods and the lives and livelihoods of their families.
CIMMYT and Clinton Foundation launch partnership to improve access to climate-resilient maize seed in eastern and southern Africa
New partnership will help farmers in Malawi, Rwanda and Tanzania have better access to seeds that help maize crops better withstand growing challenges of drought, pests, diseases, and climate change.
To manage El Nino-related crop distress in eastern and southern Africa, invest in drought-tolerant seeds and better soil and water care
Government support vital for deploying climate-resilient seeds and practices, say agriculture experts