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.
Breaking Ground: AbduRahman Beshir is revitalizing Pakistan’s maize sector
Nutrition, health and food security
AbduRahman Beshir and his team are developing climate-resilient, biofortified and biotic stress-tolerant maize to enhance the maize seed sector.
New Publications: Sustainable agriculture boosts water savings in India
Nutrition, health and food security
In northwestern India, growing maize is being advocated as an alternative to rice to address resource degradation challenges such as declining water tables and climate change induced variability in rainfall and temperature.
Breaking Ground: Crop simulation models help Balwinder Singh predict future challenges
Innovations
Balwinder Singh uses crop simulation models to help smallholder farmers in South Asia prepare for future climates and unexpected challenges.
Sales boost seed sector growth in Nepal
Capacity development
Four Nepalese seed companies are showing signs of significant growth, with seed sales increasing nearly 60 percent since 2014.
USAID delegation tours sustainable agriculture activities in Bangladesh
Innovations
A delegation of USAID representatives recently visited southern Bangladesh to learn about sustainable agriculture activities in the area and emerging challenges to wheat production.
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.
Breaking Ground: David Guerena transfers world-class science to smallholder farmers
Climate adaptation and mitigation
David Guerena recently joined CIMMYT as soil scientist-systems agronomist, he leads soils/nutrient management activities in Nepal.
New Publications: Consumer preference for GM food in Pakistan
Nutrition, health and food security
WhileGM foods continue to be a topic of debate in much of the developed world, few studies have focused on consumers’ acceptance of GM food in developing countries.
India celebrates women in climate smart agriculture
Capacity development
In celebration of International Women’s Day, 150 women from villages across Haryana and Bihar, India joined to celebrate the adoption of climate-smart agriculture in their communities.
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.
Breaking Ground: Akhter Ali helps transform agriculture sector in Pakistan
Capacity development
Akhter Ali always knew he wanted to have an impact on the livelihoods of farmers in Pakistan.
Small machinery provides affordable options for women farmers in Nepal
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Small-scale mechanization is becoming more important on farms in Nepal as young people, particularly men, migrate away from rural areas in large numbers.
Breaking Ground: Xuecai Zhang prepares future generation of crop breeders
Innovations
Xuecai Zhang wants to merge traditional maize breeding methods with new software and other tools to help improve farmers’ yields faster than ever.
“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.
Pakistan releases first quality protein maize varieties
Nutrition, health and food security
Pakistan is releasing quality protein maize for commercial consumption, which could help boost nutrition across the country where nearly half of all children are chronically malnourished.