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.
Accord of international center and Spanish cooperative seed supplier will bolster farmers’ access to climate-resilient wheat in the Mediterranean Basin
Wheat breeding lines that pass testing under Mediterranean heat and dry conditions are specially suited for rainfed farming around the Basin, including in North Africa.
Women farmers turn the tide on soybean production
In Mozambique, women spearhead efforts to enhance soybean yields with improved agronomic practices, yielding community-wide benefits.
East African wheat breeding pipeline and E&SSA network
Genetic trials in the region will continue throughout 2024 and 2025 to establish a baseline for genetic gains and to enable the assessment of the breeding pipeline’s progress in the coming years.
Enhancing wheat breeding efficiency in South Asia through early germplasm access
Success stories witnessed in India, Pakistan, and Nepal underscore the transformative potential of this approach, offering a beacon of hope for agricultural communities in South Asia and beyond.
Prospect of boosting lentil production bright in Rajshahi region
Source: daily observer ()
The collaboration between CIMMYT, RWMRC, and the Krishi Gobeshona Foundation aims to revolutionize lentil production in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Scientists at NaSARRI to develop iron and zinc bio-fortified sorghum
Source: Charmar News ()
CIMMYT, in partnership with NaSARRI and stakeholders, is pioneering a project in Uganda to biofortify sorghum with iron and zinc to reduce malnutrition in East Africa.
CIMMYT joins global efforts to curb greenhouse emissions and strengthen food systems
CIMMYT promoted ways to lessen climate shocks, especially for smallholder farmers who inordinately suffer the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures and extended droughts.
Researchers push for adoption of high-yielding millet varieties in Busia
CIMMYT and partners are spearheading the adoption of high-yielding millet varieties to boost food security and tackle climate change.
Padma Shri for Kashi scientist Ravi Prakash Singh
Source: The Times of India ()
Dr. Ravi Prakash Singh, associated with CIMMYT, is awarded the Padma Shri.
New wheat varieties lauded for mitigating rust disease, increasing yield in Ethiopia
Source: Milling Middle East & Africa ()
CIMMYT’s wheat varieties boost Ethiopia’s agriculture by combating rust and increasing yields, significantly enhancing food security.
Afriseed: How improved legume seed can help transform Zambia’s agrifood systems
Afriseed and AID-I are helping smallholder famers in Zambia transition to improved, high-yielding legumes.
Tela maize will boost food sufficiency, create wealth in Nigeria – Stakeholders
Source: Daily Nigerian ()
CIMMYT’s involvement in the TELA Maize Project has been instrumental in the development of new drought-tolerant and pest-resistant maize varieties.
Transforming rural agriculture with improved seed and mechanization
Attended by over 1,300 smallholder farmers, the fourth edition of the CIMMYT seed and mechanization fairs held in Mwenezi and Masvingo districts linked farmers with private sector companies.
Strengthening seed systems with Zamseed
To improve food security in Zambia and Tanzania, CIMMYT and Zamseed join forces to strengthen maize resilience.
CIMMYT-BISA-ICAR partnership brings huge benefits in South Asia
In 2011, CIMMYT and ICAR committed to agricultural development in South Asia with the creation of BISA. Since then, BISA has increased crop yields, developed hardy wheat varieties and championed environmental health.