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.
ICARDA’s Mustapha El-Bouhssini explains how crop pests are moving in a warming world
Climate change will see pests moving countries and continents as conditions become more favorable.
One-minute science: Suchismita Mondal on breeding resilient wheat
Breeders are developing wheat varieties that have stable grain yield under low-water and high-temperature conditions.
Pests and diseases and climate change: Is there a connection?
Although farmers have been battling pests and diseases since the dawn of agriculture, experts warn that climate change could accelerate or expand their spread.
Smartphones drive data collection revolution, boost climate-smart agriculture in Bangladesh
For the first time widespread monitoring examines how farmers are coping with climate stresses.
Global greenhouse gas emissions from the food system
Global climate frameworks miss the “big picture” on food, say scientists.
Global climate frameworks miss the ‘big picture’ on food
Source: Thomson Reuters (18 Feb 2020)
Schemes may fall short of ambitions by dealing separately with food production, supply and consumption.
Another Green Revolution needed for wheat, says report
Source: Dawn (9 Feb 2020)
Climate change threatens wheat yields in South Asia.
New publications: Optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates for rice and wheat in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India
The results of the study will allow farmers to get the best crop yields while saving money and reducing harmful nitrous oxide emissions.
What is conservation agriculture?
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.
A wake-up call for the fertilizer industry
At international conference, plant nutrition experts highlight the important role of sustainability.
Drought Is Crippling Small Farmers in Mexico — With Consequences for Everyone Else
Source: Nexus Media (12 Dec 2019)
The CIMMYT germplasm bank preserves the seeds of maize varieties from all over the world, including landraces very valuable to farmers.
Nurture soil as our food and climate insurance
Soil conservation means food security for farmers in Malawi.
Agricultural solutions to tackle humanity’s climate crisis
Science offers opportunity to curb greenhouse gas emissions related to agriculture and meet climate goals.
Scaling out climate-smart agriculture in southern Africa
A new series of infographics outlines the challenges that must be addressed in order to scale adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices in southern Africa.
Investing in drought-tolerant maize is good for Africa
Recent impact studies in Uganda and Zambia show that farmers adopting drought-tolerant maize increased their yields significantly and reduced risks of crop failure.