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.
New publications: Do market shocks generate gender-differentiated impacts?
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
New study provides recommendations to help female-headed households cope with market volatility.
Scientists identify genome regions that lead to better yield, disease resistance in wheat
Source: The Hindu Business Line (24 Sep 2019)
International team found a way to breed better wheat varieties with high yields and resistance to diseases and the adverse effects of climate change.
Toolkits to deal with Asian droughts
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: The Third Pole (23 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT, ICIMOD and partners launched a Regional Drought Monitoring and Outlook System for South Asia.
Back from the brink of extinction
Nutrition, health and food security
Visiting scientist Roi Ben-David discusses Israel’s exotic germplasm gap and ongoing efforts to restore the country’s lost wheat landrace collections.
New publications: Exploring how women seize control of wheat–maize technologies in Bangladesh
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
An agricultural organization led by indigenous Santal women is also benefiting low-income Muslim women.
Indonesia-CIMMYT increase cooperation on maize research
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Gatra (3 Sep 2019)
CIMMYT and the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development sign MoU.
CIMMYT and Indonesia’s agricultural research agency renew collaboration
Capacity development
The Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) signed a memorandum of understanding with CIMMYT to reaffirm their research partnership for maize and wheat improvement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
