Sustainable agrifood systems
Investing in drought-tolerant maize is good for Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Recent impact studies in Uganda and Zambia show that farmers adopting drought-tolerant maize increased their yields significantly and reduced risks of crop failure.
New mobile technology to help farmers improve yields and stabilize incomes
Innovations
The COMPASS smartphone phone app uses data from farmers and from satellites to provide precise crop management advice.
Breaking Ground: Pieter Rutsaert looks to better marketing for faster adoption of climate-smart maize in Africa
Nutrition, health and food security
Markets and value chains expert studies seed demand and distribution, with the aim to help agro-dealers and seed businesses better market improved seed.
How Haryana cut stubble burning this season
Innovations
Source: Down to Earth (13 Nov 2019)
The state of Haryana has supplied machines like the Happy Seeder to farmers, who saw costs drop and yields increase this year.
Closing the yield gap: Why localized analysis matters
Nutrition, health and food security
The effect of factors limiting production differs across regions, researchers observe.
India pollution: How a farming revolution could solve stubble burning
Innovations
Source: Deustche Welle (8 Nov 2019)
CIMMYT scientist M.L. Jat argues that India now needs to undergo a second, “evergreen” revolution, driven by technology such as the happy seeder.
Scientists develop an early warning system that delivers wheat rust predictions directly to farmers’ phones
Innovations
New research describes a revolutionary early warning system that can predict and mitigate wheat rust diseases in Ethiopia.
Fight against fall armyworm in Asia benefits from experience in other regions
Capacity development
Scientists mobilize African and Latin American knowledge to protect Asia’s maize.
New tools guide interventions against acid soils in Africa using lime
Capacity development
Experts are developing data and dashboards to advise policymakers about the cost and feasibility of liming to increase maize productivity.
What it takes to bring the best seed to farmers
Capacity development
CIMMYT’s board witnesses the results of impactful research and market partnerships in Kenya.
It’s time to change the system, not just the technology
Innovations
Changing farming technologies requires systemic change, argues Lennart Woltering in new article.
Sharp rise in Punjab-Haryana farm fires ahead of Diwali
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Times of India (21 Oct 2019)
CIMMYT Principal Scientist M.L. Jat notes high number of happy seeders in Haryana and Punjab.
Mexico’s agriculture secretary calls for an integrated approach to reach the Sustainable Development Goals
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Villalobos highlights the importance of improving food systems and agriculture to fight violence and forced migration.
Blue maize is all the rage, but are consumers willing to pay?
Environmental health and biodiversity
Study gives insight into Mexican consumers’ preferences and demand for blue maize tortillas.
Delhi Air Quality Descends to ‘Very Poor’, Worst Yet to Come
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: The Wire (17 Oct 2019)
Balwinder Singh warns that air pollution in India could be severe due to burning crop residue.
