Innovations
Working with smallholders to understand their needs and build on their knowledge, CIMMYT brings the right seeds and inputs to local markets, raises awareness of more productive cropping practices, and works to bring local mechanization and irrigation services based on conservation agriculture practices. CIMMYT helps scale up farmers’ own innovations, and embraces remote sensing, mobile phones and other information technology. These interventions are gender-inclusive, to ensure equitable impacts for all.
Scientists meet in Mexico to revolutionize ways of “watching” experimental plants
Innovations
200 world-class scientists from over 20 countries will gather in Mexico from December 13 to 15 for the 4th International Plant Phenotyping Symposium.
Advice for India’s rice-wheat farmers: Put aside the plow and save straw to fight pollution
Innovations
Recent media reports show that the 19 million inhabitants of New Delhi are under siege from a noxious haze.
New Publications: Durum wheat is becoming more susceptible to rust globally
Innovations
Leaf rust is increasingly impacting durum wheat production worldwide.
Improved genetic analysis offers faster, more precise results to crop breeders
Innovations
Researchers improve global collaboration on harnessing genes in breeding that can help the crop withstand the effects of climate change.
New online learning platform offers capacity development for all
Innovations
An online learning platform created in partnership with the Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) initiative will revolutionize the project’s capacity development efforts.
Combating spread of MLN in Africa poses unique but surmountable challenges, seed health specialist says
Innovations
Maize lethal necrosis poses a major concern to researchers, seed companies and farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
First drought tolerant and insect resistant “stacked” transgenic maize harvested in Kenya
Innovations
For the first time, transgenic maize hybrids that combine insect resistance and drought tolerance have been harvested from confined field trials.
Public initiatives key to harnessing genetic diversity for food security, says genetic resources expert
Innovations
Public initiatives to facilitate the use of genetic resources must be promoted to demonstrate the value they add to agriculture for development and food security.
Conference highlights urgent need to harness genetic resources for future food security
Innovations
The International Agrobiodiversity Congress provides a platform for farmers, scientists, policymakers and industry leaders to share their experiences in agrobiodiversity management and genetic resource conservation.
New Publications: How to better breed maize for future climates in Latin America
Climate adaptation and mitigation
New study reveals findings to help increase drought and heat tolerance in Latin American maize.
Growing more with less: Improving productivity, resilience and sustainability in Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Sustainable intensification is helping farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa become more productive, while adapting to and mitigating climate change.
Weeding out the losses: Striga challenges in Kenya
Capacity development
The Striga weed is one of the leading causes of crop loss in western Kenya, a significant dent to farmers’ livelihoods and major hindrance to food security in the area.
Private sector seed distribution vital for food security, World Food Prize delegates say
Innovations
Public-private collaborations can deliver improved seeds to smallholder farmers faster, speeding up global efforts to meet food security targets.
Food security requires acceleration of advanced science, not just “feeding,” CIMMYT 50 delegates say
Innovations
The agriculture for development sector must begin “nourishing” families with nutrition-sensitive interventions instead of focusing on “feeding,” says Lindiwe Majele Sibanda.
Gene bank crowdfunding campaign gains traction with commercial seed industry
Innovations
A pledge of $10,000 by international plant breeding company KWS has given a big boost to an online crowdfunding initiative aiming to help maintain the world’s largest maize and wheat germplasm bank.