Nutrition, health and food security

As staple foods, maize and wheat provide vital nutrients and health benefits, making up close to two-thirds of the world’s food energy intake, and contributing 55 to 70 percent of the total calories in the diets of people living in developing countries, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. CIMMYT scientists tackle food insecurity through improved nutrient-rich, high-yielding varieties and sustainable agronomic practices, ensuring that those who most depend on agriculture have enough to make a living and feed their families. The U.N. projects that the global population will increase to more than 9 billion people by 2050, which means that the successes and failures of wheat and maize farmers will continue to have a crucial impact on food security. Findings by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which show heat waves could occur more often and mean global surface temperatures could rise by up to 5 degrees Celsius throughout the century, indicate that increasing yield alone will be insufficient to meet future demand for food.

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.

Blogs

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

The Sustain Sudan Project unites global partners to revive farming, support smallholder farmers, and build sustainable agrifood systems for lasting food security

Blogs

tag icon Gender equality, youth and social inclusion

Across Mexico, Indigenous farmers are blending ancestral wisdom with modern innovations to boost food security, protect soils, and achieve food sovereignty — supported by CIMMYT’s expertise

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: Nature ()

CIMMYT germplasm combined with Qinghai Plateau wheat revealed 99 genetic loci for yield, stress tolerance, and stripe rust resistance, paving the way for marker-assisted breeding of resilient, high-altitude wheat

News

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

CIMMYT hosted a field day at its Sanjaya Rajaram Experimental Station in Toluca, showcasing innovations in wheat disease resistance, climate resilience, and sustainable cereal production through strategic alliances in Mexico and worldwide

News

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

CIMMYT is leading the urgent shift from feeding the world to building resilient, nutritious, and climate-smart food systems that can sustain future generations

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: CGIAR ()

CIMMYT worked with Uganda’s NARO to breed new maize hybrids and screen germplasm for maize lethal necrosis resistance

In the media

tag icon Gender equality, youth and social inclusion

Source: Independent Advocate ()

From Iowa to Mexico, Isabell Olsasky’s journey as a Borlaug Ruan Intern at CIMMYT reveals how young minds, farmer voices, and global research come together to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for agriculture

Blogs

tag icon Innovations

In Kenya’s Kibwezi East, CIMMYT and partners spotlighted pigeon pea innovations helping farmers thrive in drylands

News

tag icon Gender equality, youth and social inclusion

CIMMYT and Wikifarmer have joined forces to promote sustainable agricultural practices, empower youth, and advance global food and nutrition security through impactful partnerships and knowledge sharing

In the media

tag icon Capacity development

Source: Taian ()

The China-CIMMYT Wheat Symposium spotlighted global research ties and a new hub advancing crop breeding and food security in Shandong

Blogs

tag icon Capacity development

CIMMYT’s Maize Seed Tracker is helping farmers and partners in Kenya prevent MLN, protect seed quality, and build resilient food systems through real-time, data-driven action

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: Time News ()

Researchers identified rust-resistant genes in traditional wheat, aided by CIMMYT’s biodiversity efforts

News

tag icon Capacity development

CIMMYT’s Dr. Velu Govindan wins the 2025 Derek Tribe Award for advancing climate-resilient, nutrient-rich wheat to boost global food security.

Blogs

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Yuridia Hernández leads a network of women producers in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca who, like the land they cultivate, regenerate, sustain, and transform their plots through sustainable practices and collective work. 

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: Development and Cooperation (12 May 2025)