Julie Mollins
Smallholder farmers to gain from targeted CRISPR-Cas9 crop breeding
Innovations
Gene editing technology could revolutionize the way scientists breed high-yielding drought, disease and pest resistant, high quality plant seeds, greatly reducing the time it currently takes to develop new varieties
Wheat scientist receives Monsanto award for promising work on yield potential
Nutrition, health and food security
A scientist whose work is projected to significantly increase wheat production for smallholder farmers around the world has won the 2017 Ted Crosbie MBBISP Impact Award presented by Monsanto.
How a seed bank in Mexico produces data to help alleviate poverty
Innovations
Scientist Kevin Pixley leads a project to catalogue 178,000 corn and wheat seeds at the CIMMYT seed bank near Mexico City.
Borlaug Dialogue delegates to discuss strategy for tackling Fall Armyworm menace in Africa
Nutrition, health and food security
B.M. Prasanna at 2017 Borlaug Dialogue on expert panel to discuss the strategic approach for managing the pest menace in Africa.
Zero till climate-smart wheat-rice-bean crop rotations in India curb emissions
Innovations
Zero tillage with residue retention techniques in rice-wheat-mung bean crop rotations result in the lowest global warming potential, a study on sustainable intensification in India shows.
Maize breeding on track for climate change in Africa, scientist urges bigger investments
Climate adaptation and mitigation
With appropriate funding, maize yields can continue to increase in extreme heat and drought conditions, scientists say.
Obstacles to gender-smart fertilizer use hurt livelihoods, scientists say
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Compiling gender-inclusive data could help scientists understand how to help improve nitrogen fertilizer application practices among smallholder farmers.
Bangladesh urges $500 million in funds to intensify surface water irrigation
Innovations
Most current food security projections show that staple crop production must double by 2050 to keep up with global need, which will continue to expand.
“Young Scientist Award” winner fights hidden hunger with high zinc wheat
Nutrition, health and food security
A scientist who has advanced the development of nutrient-rich wheat varieties with higher yield potential, disease resistance and improved traits wins Young Scientist Award for Agriculture.
Can sub-Saharan Africa meet its future cereal food requirement?
Nutrition, health and food security
To satisfy the enormous increase in demand for food in sub-Saharan Africa by 2050, cereal yields must increase to 80 percent of their potential.
Wheat rust poses food security risk for global poor, says DFID’s Priti Patel
Nutrition, health and food security
Wheat rust monitoring efforts are not only keeping the fast-spreading disease in check, but are deployed to manage other crop diseases, said a scientist at a scientific meeting in London.
Tackle food insecurity with homegrown education, Food Prize delegates say
Capacity development
Africa must develop a strong educational infrastructure to address the challenges of poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity, said experts at the World Food Prize.
Wheat training foundation offers hope to end rural poverty
Capacity development
In her youth, Tunisian Manel Othmeni developed an interest in interacting with plants, a fascination that later grew into a passion for wheat research.
Private sector seed distribution vital for food security, World Food Prize delegates say
Innovations
Public-private collaborations can deliver improved seeds to smallholder farmers faster, speeding up global efforts to meet food security targets.
“CIMMYT 50” delegates tackle obstacles to achieving global food security
Climate adaptation and mitigation
From the field to the laboratory, new technology plays a major part in the international effort to develop seeds and cropping systems that will help achieve food security.