Climate adaptation and mitigation
Climate change threatens to reduce global crop production, and poor people in tropical environments will be hit the hardest. More than 90% of CIMMYT’s work relates to climate change, helping farmers adapt to shocks while producing more food, and reduce emissions where possible. Innovations include new maize and wheat varieties that withstand drought, heat and pests; conservation agriculture; farming methods that save water and reduce the need for fertilizer; climate information services; and index-based insurance for farmers whose crops are damaged by bad weather. CIMMYT is an important contributor to the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.
Plant breeding innovations
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Over millennia, natural selection and humans have systematically adapted the plant species that provide food and other vital products, changing their physical and genetic makeup for enhanced productivity, nutrition and resilience. Plant breeders apply science to continue improving crop varieties, making them more productive and better adapted to climate extremes, insects, drought and diseases.
International scientists awarded grants supporting the HeDWIC-FFAR project to boost climate resilience in wheat
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Projects will focus on developing new breeding technologies, screening tools and novel traits to improve wheat in the face of heat and drought.
Wheat titan honored posthumously by India
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Sanjaya Rajaram, former CIMMYT Wheat Program Director, has been recognized with the Padma Bhushan Award for his contributions to wheat improvement worldwide.
Climate change slows wheat breeding progress for yield and wide adaptation, new study finds
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Increasingly unpredictable weather poses challenges for breeding widely-adapted wheat lines, but stress tolerance breeding is boosting wheat’s hardiness under rising temperatures.
Fruits and vegetables are essential, but there are three reasons why it takes cereals to feed the world
Climate adaptation and mitigation
In addition to macronutrients and micronutrients, staple cereals are important sources of bioactive food components.
2021 GAP Report endorses CIMMYT’s integrated agri-food systems methodology
Climate adaptation and mitigation
CIMMYT’s programs in Colombia and Mexico showcased as examples of successful public–private partnerships for sustainable agriculture, economic growth and improved nutrition.
A decade of world-leading maize and wheat research
Capacity development
Legacy websites and photo exhibition mark the closing of the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat, and their impact on sustainable agricultural development.
Science, technology and farmers, the three pillars of CIMMYT at COP26
Climate adaptation and mitigation
At global climate summit, CIMMYT scientists share adaptation and mitigation solutions for farmers, and call for increased funding for agricultural research.
Pakistan, India transboundary dialogue imperative to resolve Lahore’s pollution: Amin
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Daily Times (21 Nov 2021)
At COP26, Special Assistant to Pakistan’s Prime Minister on Climate Change said that a transboundary dialogue on mitigating air pollution was imperative to resolve Lahore’s smog.
Ending rice-wheat monopoly can ease Delhi woes
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: The Times of India (13 Nov 2021)
ML Jat speaks with The Times of India about the work of CIMMYT and its partners on diversification and carbon credits—two futuristic ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in India.
The Baigas’ Resilient Alternative to Plantation Agriculture
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: The Citizen (8 Nov 2021)
ML Jat points out some advantages of the bewar system, a climate-resilient alternative to plantation agriculture in India.
CIMMYT, AGG wheat experts share latest discoveries at BGRI Technical Workshop
Climate adaptation and mitigation
CIMMYT scientists recently joined peers in the international wheat research community to share latest findings, offer updates, and raise compelling questions at the 2021 Borlaug Global Rust Initiative Technical Workshop.
Managing stresses the key to better wheat varieties for all
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: The Land (1 Nov 2021)
In an interview with The Land, Alison Bentley emphasized the importance of developing drought-tolerant wheat varieties to see better yields in tough seasons.
