CIMMYT
Machine learning for smarter seed selection to reduce risks for Mexican maize farmers
Innovations
Source: AgroNews (4 Mar 2019)
CIMMYT and BioSense Institute jointly won the CGIAR Platform for Big Data in Agriculture Inspire Challenge in 2018 for machine learning for smarter seed selection.
New publication: Gender and agricultural innovation in Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Source: Addis Standard (1 Mar 2019)
Drawing on GENNOVATE case studies from two wheat-growing communities, the authors examine how women and men smallholders innovate with improved wheat seed, row planting and the broad bed maker.
Fighting the fungi that destroy wheat
Innovations
Source: Dhaka Tribune (2 Mar 2019)
CIMMYT researchers propose long-term solutions to fighting wheat blast, including a diagnostic tool for wheat blast surveillance and a platform for open data and science to combat the fungus.
New CIMMYT pre-commercial maize hybrids available from eastern and southern Africa breeding programs
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.
Women’s equality crucial for Ethiopia’s agricultural productivity
Capacity development
Source: The Reporter (16 Feb 2019)
A new report shows that gender inequality in Ethiopia is hampering efforts to reach the government’s goal of wheat self-sufficiency by 2022.
New partnership announced for sustainable maize production in Colombia
Nutrition, health and food security
The project will develop maize varieties adapted to the country’s farming conditions and will promote sustainable intensification practices among farmers.
Call for interest: Development trait prioritization as part of a sub-Saharan African crop variety replacement strategy
Innovations
The CGIAR Excellence in Breeding Platform (EiB) is looking to provide matching funding for two projects.
Call for nominees for the 2019 Maize Youth Innovators Awards – Africa
Capacity development
Open to young women and men below 35 years of age who are implementing innovations in African maize-based agri-food systems.
University of Queensland student researches tan spot resistance in wheat at CIMMYT
Capacity development
Tamaya Peressini’s project aimed to evaluate adult plant resistance to tan spot in wheat.
In pictures: Six agricultural innovations combating climate change
Climate adaptation and mitigation
With agriculture on the agenda at COP24, we highlight six innovations improving resilience and productivity for agriculture.
New study: India could cut nearly 18% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions through cost-saving farming practices
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Study identifies hotspots for biggest impact, suggests government incentives for widespread adoption
CIMMYT laments the passing of Theodore Assimwe, Rwandan research pillar
He was a pillar of the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), with a well-recognized research track record in maize, cassava, and sweet potato.
