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.
Toolkits to deal with Asian droughts
Source: The Third Pole (23 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT, ICIMOD and partners launched a Regional Drought Monitoring and Outlook System for South Asia.
Climate-smart agriculture: A winning strategy for farming families in El Niño seasons
A recent study from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) shows that conservation agriculture and other climate-smart technologies are increasing yields and farmer resilience amidst drought episodes in southern Africa.
Smallholder farmers’ multi-front strategy combats rapidly evolving wheat rust in Ethiopia
Researchers found farmers who increased both the area growing resistant varieties and the number of wheat varieties grown per season saw the biggest yield increases.
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.
Kenyan maize farmers set to benefit from development of improved varieties
Source: News Ghana (13 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT has developed a variety of seeds to meet the varied needs of Kenyan farmers.
Back from the brink of extinction
Visiting scientist Roi Ben-David discusses Israel’s exotic germplasm gap and ongoing efforts to restore the country’s lost wheat landrace collections.
Seed production innovations, conservation agriculture and partnerships are key for Africa’s food security
Partner field days in Kenya presented sustainable solutions to crop threats and innovations in seed and agronomy.
Embracing change: How family farmers can face the future
CABI’s CEO Trevor Nicholls and CIMMYT’s Director General Martin Kropff analyze the challenges and opportunities for family farmers in the next decade.
Indonesia-CIMMYT increase cooperation on maize research
Source: Gatra (3 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development sign MoU.
Scientists set to release stem rust resistant wheat varieties in Kenya
Source: Xinhua News (1 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT scientist says wheat varieties to be released in Kenya have high yields and are resistant to stem rust U99.
Remembering Max Alcalá, who led CIMMYT’s wheat international nurseries
He was instrumental in preparing and distributing nursery results, which are still used by breeders.
African leaders rely on science and technology to improve food security
At the Africa Food Security Leadership Dialogue in Rwanda, experts and policymakers analyzed ways to address the continent’s food security crisis in the face of climate change.
Nepal’s seed sector partners join forces to realize the National Seed Vision 2013-2025
Halfway into Nepal’s 12-year plan to boost seed systems, partners review progress and plan the best way to meet targets.
New platform rapidly diagnoses wheat rust
Source: World Grain (13 Aug 2019)
MARPLE diagnostic platform significantly reduces the time to identify strains, which previously took months.