Environmental health and biodiversity

The world needs better management of water, soil, nutrients, and biodiversity in crop, livestock, and fisheries systems, coupled with higher-order landscape considerations as well as circular economy and agroecological approaches.

CIMMYT and CGIAR use modern digital tools to bring together state-of-the-art Earth system observation and big data analysis to inform co-design of global solutions and national policies.

Our maize and wheat genebanks preserve the legacy of biodiversity, while breeders and researchers look at ways to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture.

Ultimately, our work helps stay within planetary boundaries and limit water use, nutrient use, pollution, undesirable land use change, and biodiversity loss.

Videos

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

How to preserve and share the genetic biodiversity of maize.

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: The Counter (21 May 2021)

Dave Hodson discusses why conservation may be the key to our survival.

Features

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

In a Q&A, Thomas Payne reflects on how CIMMYT’s wheat genebank can be a model for maintaining biodiversity in agricultural systems.

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: Forbes MĂ©xico (7 Apr 2021)

Through regenerative agriculture prices, Grupo Bimbo, a partner of CIMMYT, is revitalizing and ensuring the sustainability of Mexico’s agricultural sector.

Features

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Five CIMMYT solutions for a fairer, healthier world.

Features

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Digital platform provides information that will help increase crop productivity and improve soil health.

In the media

tag icon Capacity development

Source: Milenio (29 Mar 2021)

Through the Sustainable Wheat and Sustainable Maize projects, Bimbo strives to ensure the sustainability of Mexico’s agricultural sector, benefitting over 940 smallholder farmers through yield enhancement and cost reduction strategies.

News

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

A new annual event examines root and soil health’s importance for food security, livelihoods and climate resilience and marks the launch of a community for root and soil health action.

News

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

The second installment in the CGIAR International Year of Plant Health Webinar Series tackles the often-overlooked issue of germplasm health.

In the media

tag icon Capacity development

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (3 Mar 2021)

Sanjaya Rajaram, a world-renowned wheat breeder and scientist recognized with the World Food Prize, died on February 17 from COVID-19 in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico.

Features

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Experts and over 900 participants tackled the agricultural, social, and environmental consequences of climate change-driven impacts on plant health.

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: All Africa (13 Jan 2022)

CIMMYT has developed new maize hybrid varieties showing promising resistance to the destructive fall armyworm pest, which has been causing huge crop losses ever since the pest was first reported in Africa in 2016.

News

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Webinar series from CGIAR examines the components of the crop supply chain, as part of the International Year of Plant Health.

News

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Breakthrough comes after three years of intensive research and trials conducted in Kenya — and during the United Nations International Year of Plant Health — and represents a significant advance in the global fight against fall armyworm.

News

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Authors conclude that no-till, no-burn practices can cut severe pollution in northern India and that they merit strong policy support, including enforcement of bans on burning straw.