Health and nutrition
Achieving widespread food and nutritional security for the world’s poorest people is more complex than simply boosting production. Biofortification of maize and wheat helps increase the vitamins and minerals in these key crops. CIMMYT helps families grow and eat provitamin A enriched maize, zinc-enhanced maize and wheat varieties, and quality protein maize. CIMMYT also works on improving food health and safety, by reducing mycotoxin levels in the global food chain. Mycotoxins are produced by fungi that colonize in food crops, and cause health problems or even death in humans or animals. Worldwide, CIMMYT helps train food processors to reduce fungal contamination in maize, and promotes affordable technologies and training to detect mycotoxins and reduce exposure.
Blue maize is all the rage, but are consumers willing to pay?
Study gives insight into Mexican consumers’ preferences and demand for blue maize tortillas.
Ten things you should know about maize and wheat
Can you imagine a world without maize and wheat? We can’t!
Collaborative product profiling captures farmers’ demand for greater impact
A demand-driven, multi-lens approach ensures the best maize varieties are available to seed companies and farmers.
How wheat can help in fight against ‘hidden hunger’
Source: The Economic Times (15 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT has released eleven varieties of nutritious zinc wheat in India.
Indonesia-CIMMYT increase cooperation on maize research
Source: Gatra (3 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development sign MoU.
Stunting in Nepal: Besides chauchau and chips, local crops may also be responsible
Source: Online Khabar (24 Jul 2019)
Soil scientist David Guerena, who works for the Nepal Seed and Fertiliser Project run by CIMMYT, advocates for zinc-enriched fertilizers in Nepal.
Groundwater, the unexpected villain in India’s air pollution crisis
Source: The Telegraph (15 Jul 2019)
CIMMYT study reveals water conservation policies by the regional governments of Haryana and Punjab aggravate air pollution.
The case for rushing farmer access to BARI Gom 33
Researchers urge donor agencies to support the dissemination of new blast-resistant, biofortified wheat in Bangladesh.
Fighting hidden hunger with promising new approach
Source: Biotech News (23 Jun 2019)
CIMMYT, HarvestPlus and IITA have worked to develop provitamin A-enriched maize varieties and zinc-enriched maize and wheat.
Seeds of progress – In a male-dominated sector, women leading maize seed companies in eastern and southern Africa share their experiences
Source: Seed Quest (20 Jun 2019)
CIMMYT researchers conducted interviews with women owners of seed companies in eastern and southern Africa.
Millions at lower risk of vitamin A deficiency after six-year campaign to promote orange-fleshed sweet potato
More than two million households across six countries received sweet potato enriched with vitamin A as part of a project led by the International Potato Center (CIP).
The recipe for better food systems
An economist, an agronomist and a plant biologist discuss how to mix markets, research and nutrition for optimal health and sustainability.
Top shelf: Who has access to the healthiest processed foods?
As processed food products gain popularity in Mexico City, researchers are keen to understand variation in access to healthier maize- and wheat-based foods across differences in purchasing power.
Sustainable tradition
Transition to sustainable farming using concepts from ancestral food production systems leads to healthier soils and diets in Mexico.
Biofortified maize and wheat can improve diets and health, new study shows
New varieties deliver essential micronutrients to those who lack diverse diets.