Asia
As a fast growing region with increasing challenges for smallholder farmers, Asia is a key target region for CIMMYT. CIMMYT’s work stretches from Central Asia to southern China and incorporates system-wide approaches to improve wheat and maize productivity and deliver quality seed to areas with high rates of child malnutrition. Activities involve national and regional local organizations to facilitate greater adoption of new technologies by farmers and benefit from close partnerships with farmer associations and agricultural extension agents.
Scientific opportunities and challenges
Capacity development
First meetings of the AGG Science and Technical Steering Committees generate insights and recommendations for optimizing breeding schemes.
Balanced fertilizer application boosts smallholder incomes
Capacity development
Precision nutrient management helps women farmers in Nepal increase crop yields and household incomes.
The beginning of a beautiful partnership
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Experts discuss solutions to postharvest losses and how agricultural mechanization can benefit rural women in the Global South.
Critical reflections on COVID-19
Nutrition, health and food security
FAO-led assessment details the pandemic’s impact on agri-food systems in Bangladesh and outlines possible recovery strategies.
Power of data: To enhance food security
Innovations
Source: The Himalayan Times (6 Nov 2020)
CIMMYT and Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development developed a digitally enabled seed information system so farmers have timely access to quality seed.
A catastrophe avoided
Nutrition, health and food security
Unprecedented adoption of agricultural technologies wards off negative impacts of COVID-19 in northwestern India.
Reaping carbon credits from agriculture
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Financial Express (30 Oct 2020)
Setting benchmarks for carbon sequestered or abated through farming and roping in companies to commercialize carbon credits can help agricultural income grow.
CIMMYT-supported researcher earns doctorate for work on gender, maize value chains and food security
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Research was supported through the Stress Tolerant Maize for Africa (STMA) project.
New publications: COVID-19 induced economic loss and ensuring food security for vulnerable groups
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Study quantifies the economic losses from Bangladesh’s COVID-19 lockdowns and outlines policy implications for the country.
Can this coincidence help India breathe easier this year?
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Times of India (23 Oct 2020)
It’s that time of the year when pollution levels start increasing, but two factors may help north India avoid the ‘airpocalypse’ this time.
Creating impact through wider data sharing
Innovations
Platform in Bihar, India uses data to design interventions to help smallholder farmers.
Disinfecting equipment keeps agricultural production running in Bangladesh
Capacity development
Equipment and safety protocols protect agricultural machinery workshop staff from COVID-19.