Blogs
African leaders rely on science and technology to improve food security
Innovations
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.
Scientists use DNA fingerprinting to gauge the spread of modern wheat in Afghanistan
Innovations
New study finds that wheat farmers often do not accurately identify their varieties.
Breaking Ground: Anani Bruce guards Africa’s maize harvest from insect pests
Innovations
CIMMYT entomologist strengthens native resistance in maize against fall armyworm and equips farmers with pest control measures.
Nepal’s seed sector partners join forces to realize the National Seed Vision 2013-2025
Nutrition, health and food security
Halfway into Nepal’s 12-year plan to boost seed systems, partners review progress and plan the best way to meet targets.
From tinkering mechanic to manufacturing genius
Capacity development
Source: Dhaka Tribune (17 Aug 2019)
USAID-funded CIMMYT and iDE project helped young mechanic develop the market for his locally-manufactured machines.
Global group of journalists find wheat research, comradery in Canada
Capacity development
WHEAT media sponsorship connects scientists and reporters at International Wheat Congress.
New platform rapidly diagnoses wheat rust
Innovations
Source: World Grain (13 Aug 2019)
MARPLE diagnostic platform significantly reduces the time to identify strains, which previously took months.
Using the MARPLE kit to diagnose wheat rust in Ethiopia
Innovations
The mobile kit will allow Ethiopia to quickly identify wheat rust strains in 48 hours, instead of sending samples to labs abroad.
Energy crunch hits Pakistan’s farm productivity
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Sci Dev Net (12 Aug 2019)
CIMMYT study shows uninterrupted energy and power supplies are critical farming inputs to reduce poverty and food insecurity,
New drought monitoring system will reduce climate risks for South Asian farmers
Climate adaptation and mitigation
After Afghanistan, Nepal, and Pakistan, the Regional Drought Monitoring and Outlook System extends its coverage to Bangladesh.
Happy Seeder can reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while making profits for farmers
Innovations
The average farmer who uses the Happy Seeder can generate up to 20% more profits than those who burn their fields, according to a new study published in Science.
Warmer night temperatures reduce wheat yields in Mexico, scientists say
Climate adaptation and mitigation
International gathering highlights cutting edge efforts to improve yields, nutrition, and climate change resilience of a globally vital staple food.
Alternatives to burning can increase Indian farmers’ profits and cut pollution, new study shows
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Published in Science, the article provides evidence for national policies that block stubble burning and promote no-till mechanization to manage crop residues.
‘Truly novel’: ProMaíz Nativo creates on-pack logo for native Mexican corn
Source: FoodNavigator-LATAM (5 Aug 2019)
CIMMYT played a key role in facilitating the formation of this association promoting maize biodiversity.
New CIMMYT pre-commercial hybrids available from Asia maize breeding programs
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners in South and South East Asia and similar agro-ecological zones, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.