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CIMMYT Director General visit to UQ

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts’ visit to The University of Queensland (UQ) on September 27, 2024, reinforced a long-standing partnership aimed at tackling global food security and sustainability challenges. For over 50 years, CIMMYT’s collaboration with Australian researchers has advanced wheat breeding, contributing significantly to Australia’s agricultural resilience. The visit emphasized expanding research on key crops like sorghum, millets, and legumes, while promoting sustainable practices and climate resilience in agriculture. This collaboration continues to drive innovations that benefit not only Australia but also regions across the Indo-Pacific and Africa.

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U.S. Pledges $5M for Guatemala Food Security Initiative

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media, News.

At the UN General Assembly, the U.S. Department of State announced $5 million in food security assistance to advance the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils initiative in Guatemala. Co-led by CIMMYT and FAO, it aims to enhance sustainable agriculture through innovative practices that improve soil health and crop diversity. This initiative, part of the U.S. Feed the Future program, will strengthen resilience to climate change and support Guatemala’s agricultural sector, directly benefiting the 1.6 million people dependent on farming. CIMMYT’s leadership ensures scientific expertise in crop and soil management is central to addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in the region.

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How ancient wild relatives of wheat could safeguard our food supply

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

A new study by CIMMYT, published in Global Change Biology, reveals that ancient wild relatives of wheat, which have adapted to extreme environmental conditions for millions of years, could be key to securing our future food supply. These wild varieties offer valuable genetic traits that can help modern wheat resist diseases, build climate resilience, and reduce agricultural emissions, making them essential for adapting to increasingly challenging growing conditions.

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Melinda Smale: Exploring the Economic Value of Crop Diversity Conservation

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

Melinda Smale’s groundbreaking work in agricultural economics, particularly her collaboration with CIMMYT, has played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of crop diversity conservation. At CIMMYT, Smale worked with plant breeders and agronomists to analyze maize landraces and wheat genetic diversity, contributing to the development of strategies that support sustainable agriculture and food security. Her research has informed CIMMYT’s efforts to preserve biodiversity and enhance the resilience of farming systems, directly aligning with the organization’s mission to improve global food security through science and innovation.

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CGIAR launches pilot programme on agroecological solutions

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CGIAR has launched a pilot program in Zimbabwe’s Mbire and Murehwa districts to promote agroecological solutions, with CIMMYT as a key partner. The initiative aims to develop sustainable farming practices by addressing challenges like pest outbreaks, drought, and access to quality seeds. CIMMYT’s involvement includes introducing innovative technologies such as demonstration plots and seed fairs, designed to enhance agricultural resilience and sustainability in the region. This collaborative effort seeks to empower local farmers and create a more sustainable agricultural system in Zimbabwe.

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African, Chinese stakeholders convene in Kenya amid call to transform food systems

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

The Africa-China-CIMMYT Science Forum in Nairobi gathered experts from China and Africa to explore strategies for transforming agrifood systems through innovation and cooperation. Organized by CAAS and CIMMYT, the forum emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing food security, rural poverty, and climate resilience in Africa. Key discussions focused on the benefits of technology transfer and research partnerships to support smallholder farmers and advance agricultural modernization across the continent.

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Embracing the future of crop breeding

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

In a discussion on the future of crop breeding at the Cereals seminar, experienced wheat breeder Bill Angus highlighted CIMMYT as a leading example of effective global crop breeding, particularly for regions with limited agricultural inputs. He emphasized that while the UK has a competitive wheat breeding environment, it could learn from CIMMYT’s approach, which successfully develops wheat varieties suited for the developing world, where farmers often lack the luxury of chemical inputs. Angus advocated for the UK to adopt a more impactful and globally engaged breeding strategy, drawing inspiration from CIMMYT’s successes.

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SKUAST-K Maize Improvement Programme: Transforming Challenges into Bountiful Harvests

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

The SKUAST-K Maize Improvement Programme, in collaboration with CIMMYT, is making significant advancements in maize agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir. By developing resilient maize varieties and leveraging cutting-edge research, the programme addresses key challenges such as poor soil nutrition and erratic rainfall. This partnership has not only enhanced maize productivity and climate resilience but also secured substantial funding and facilitated the release of landmark varieties, ultimately contributing to a sustainable maize-based economy in the region.

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Mars delivers record carbon emissions reduction

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT contributes to Mars’ sustainability efforts by equipping Mexican maize producers with tools and training through the Next Generation Soil program. This collaboration supports Mars’ climate-smart agriculture initiatives, reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, which make up 60% of its total GHG footprint. By promoting regenerative agriculture practices, CIMMYT helps Mars work towards a 50% GHG reduction by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

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Climate Change And Growing Global Population Affects Food Security; Africa Most Affected Continent

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

Chris Ojiewo, from CIMMYT, emphasizes the urgent need for African farmers to produce more food within restricted areas to accommodate the continent’s growing population. He advocates for increasing crop productivity by developing resilient varieties and advanced production systems that can thrive in intensified and drought-prone conditions. Ojiewo suggests boosting maize yields from one ton per hectare to higher levels through innovative agricultural practices, highlighting CIMMYT’s role in addressing food security challenges exacerbated by climate change.

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Revised market segmentation for spring wheat—achieving alignment between ICARDA and CIMMYT

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT, in collaboration with ICARDA and the CGIAR Initiative on Market Intelligence, has revised the market segmentation for spring wheat to align breeding efforts using a unified “crop view” approach. This initiative resolves duplication challenges, provides objective crop prioritization, and aligns Target Product Profiles (TPPs) to meet the needs of farmers, consumers, and processors. By establishing a consistent application of eight market segmentation criteria, the effort standardizes the process and lays a foundation for future discussions on market segment prioritization and TPP alignment, ensuring all relevant market requirements are prioritized in breeding programs.

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Climate-proofing India’s daily bread: The race for resilient wheat

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CIMMYT collaborates with Indian research institutions like IIWBR to develop climate-resilient wheat varieties, supplying essential genetic materials and leveraging global research initiatives, advanced breeding techniques, and technological tools. This partnership accelerates the creation and distribution of resilient crops, supporting local scientists and smallholder farmers through training, capacity-building programs, and knowledge sharing to ensure sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security in the face of climate change.

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Wheat cultivation in Africa at risk of fungal disease

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

A study by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) warns that the wheat blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae threatens up to 75% of Africa’s wheat cultivation. The disease, spread by windborne spores and exacerbated by climate change, worsens food insecurity. While Zimbabwe remains unaffected, preventive measures are in place. The Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI), with CIMMYT’s collaboration, is building regional capacity to combat the disease. The study emphasizes the need for resistant wheat varieties and enhanced global and regional cooperation to protect wheat production and ensure food security.

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Transforming Agriculture Together: Insights from the Ukama Ustawi Share Fair

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT participated in the Ukama Ustawi (UU) Share Fair in Zimbabwe, showcasing technologies like solar-powered irrigation and conservation agriculture. Emphasizing crop-livestock integration, gender-inclusive mechanization, and business models, CIMMYT aims to strengthen food system resilience and improve farmer livelihoods. Potential collaborations include youth engagement and alternative feed sources.

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