Environmental health and biodiversity
The world needs better management of water, soil, nutrients, and biodiversity in crop, livestock, and fisheries systems, coupled with higher-order landscape considerations as well as circular economy and agroecological approaches.
CIMMYT and CGIAR use modern digital tools to bring together state-of-the-art Earth system observation and big data analysis to inform co-design of global solutions and national policies.
Our maize and wheat genebanks preserve the legacy of biodiversity, while breeders and researchers look at ways to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture.
Ultimately, our work helps stay within planetary boundaries and limit water use, nutrient use, pollution, undesirable land use change, and biodiversity loss.
Maize and wheat science to sustainably feed the world
New CIMMYT brochure highlights value of maize and wheat science to battle rising undernourishment.
Protecting plants will protect people and the planet
Understanding the relationship between climate change and plant health is key to conserving biodiversity and boosting food production today and for future generations.
Waging war against the fall armyworm
CIMMYT and its partners worldwide continue to work on this complex challenge, so millions of smallholder farmers can protect their crops and feed their families.
Annual Report 2020 launched
Working towards resilience, renewal and transition in our agri-food systems.
MaĂz: en equipo, locos por la genĂ©tica
Source: La NaciĂłn (26 Jun 2021)
An article in La NaciĂłn praises the work of a number of research institutions, including CIMMYT, for their use of science and technology to develop hybrid maize lines adapted to the needs of farmers, markets and consumers.
La Agricultura de ConservaciĂłn, una oportunidad para afrontar los retos presentes y futuros de la agricultura
Source: AgroinformaciĂłn (22 Jun 2021)
At the 8th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, Martin Kropff argued that “agriculture cannot take a toll on the environment”, praising conservation agriculture for its contribution to building resilience to drought.
Adult plant resistance (APR): the strategy to beat persistent pathogens
CIMMYT’s decision to focus on APR genes versus race-specific genes (R-genes) protects the livelihoods of millions of smallholder wheat farmers throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Report links wheat blast pandemic on three continents
Source: World Grain (19 Mar 2021)
Genetic analyses show that a destructive wheat blast fungus that travelled from South America to South East Asia is now established in Zambia under rain-fed conditions.
Four questions with CIMMYT’s Maize Genebank Curator
How to preserve and share the genetic biodiversity of maize.
How biodiversity conservation can help manage future pandemics — for plants and for humans
Source: The Counter (21 May 2021)
Dave Hodson discusses why conservation may be the key to our survival.
A conservation conversation
In a Q&A, Thomas Payne reflects on how CIMMYT’s wheat genebank can be a model for maintaining biodiversity in agricultural systems.
Agricultura regenerativa: la ruta sustentable de Grupo Bimbo
Source: Forbes MĂ©xico (7 Apr 2021)
Through regenerative agriculture prices, Grupo Bimbo, a partner of CIMMYT, is revitalizing and ensuring the sustainability of Mexico’s agricultural sector.
Nepal launches digital soil map
Digital platform provides information that will help increase crop productivity and improve soil health.
Grupo Bimbo impulsa agricultura regenerativa de maĂz y trigo
Source: Milenio (29 Mar 2021)
Through the Sustainable Wheat and Sustainable Maize projects, Bimbo strives to ensure the sustainability of Mexico’s agricultural sector, benefitting over 940 smallholder farmers through yield enhancement and cost reduction strategies.
