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.
3 climate-resilient food solutions for smallholder farmers
Source: Green Biz (10 Sep 2020)
CIMMYT’s drought-tolerant maize is boosting farmers’ yields and incomes, directly improving millions of lives.
Reaching women with improved maize and wheat
The new AGG project aims to respond to the climate emergency and gender nexus through gender-intentional product profiles for its improved seed varieties and gender-intentional seed delivery pathways.
Excellence in Agronomy 2030 initiative to launch at African Green Revolution Forum
CGIAR centers join efforts on agronomy research and innovation initiative to support agricultural productivity growth in the global South.
Heat and drought watch out. One-of-a-kind network launched in Berlin
Source: Seed Quest (6 Aug 2020)
Alliance will link with CIMMYT-coordinated Heat and Drought Wheat Improvement Consortium (HeDWIC).
Multi-disciplinary approaches to crop improvement for faster climate change adaptation
A strategic research framework for crop improvement integrates genomics, systems biology, physiology and crop modelling approaches.
Supporting smallholder farmers to better combat drought
CSISA project suggests pathways to remove barriers inhibiting full use of groundwater irrigation infrastructure in Nepal’s Terai region.
Floods highlight importance of food security
Source: China Daily (22 Jul 2020)
CIMMYT-developed drought-and high temperature-tolerant maize varieties help strengthen resilience to weather extremes in China.
When mothers learn from babies
The “learning by doing” concept helps farmers in Zimbabwe successfully adopt sustainable agriculture principles.
Could coronavirus drive farmers to adopt sustainable practices in India’s breadbasket?
Interest in farm machinery and crop diversification spike as farmers respond to COVID-19 labor shortages.
Improved heat-resistant wheat varieties are identified
Source: Phys.org (16 Jun 2020)
CIMMYT and University of Cordoba studied 54 kinds of wheat to analyze response to high temperatures.
Investing in climate change-resistant crops
Source: Ingredients Network (15 Jun 2020)
CIMMYT is part of a global effort to develop stress-resistant crops and partners with companies and farmers for the sustainable production of maize and wheat.
Interdrought 2020 congress proceedings now online
Presentations, abstracts and posters of major conference about agricultural production in water-limited environments are available for free.
SADER reiterates call to transition towards sustainable agriculture
Source: La Journada (5 Jun 2020)
On World Environment and amidst a global pandemic, the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development highlights example of CIMMYT’s MasAgro project.
Conservation agriculture feeds people and protects the environment
Initiative in Zimbabwe pursues holistic and multi-faceted approach to support climate resilience and increase yields.
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.
