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.
Report links wheat blast pandemic on three continents
Environmental health and biodiversitySource: World Grain (19 Mar 2021)
Genetic analyses show that a destructive wheat blast fungus that travelled from South America to South East Asia is now established in Zambia under rain-fed conditions.
A challenge solved
Environmental health and biodiversityMassive study of breeding lines across environments pinpoints genomic regions associated with yield potential and stress-resilience in bread wheat.
Four questions with CIMMYT’s Maize Genebank Curator
Environmental health and biodiversityHow to preserve and share the genetic biodiversity of maize.
How biodiversity conservation can help manage future pandemics — for plants and for humans
Environmental health and biodiversitySource: The Counter (21 May 2021)
Dave Hodson discusses why conservation may be the key to our survival.
A conservation conversation
Environmental health and biodiversityIn a Q&A, Thomas Payne reflects on how CIMMYT’s wheat genebank can be a model for maintaining biodiversity in agricultural systems.
Agricultura regenerativa: la ruta sustentable de Grupo Bimbo
Environmental health and biodiversitySource: Forbes México (7 Apr 2021)
Through regenerative agriculture prices, Grupo Bimbo, a partner of CIMMYT, is revitalizing and ensuring the sustainability of Mexico’s agricultural sector.
World Health Day 2021
Climate adaptation and mitigationFive CIMMYT solutions for a fairer, healthier world.
Nepal launches digital soil map
Environmental health and biodiversityDigital platform provides information that will help increase crop productivity and improve soil health.
Grupo Bimbo impulsa agricultura regenerativa de maíz y trigo
Capacity developmentSource: 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.
Experts point ways to better crops and farmer incomes
Environmental health and biodiversityA 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.
Consider the seed
Environmental health and biodiversityThe second installment in the CGIAR International Year of Plant Health Webinar Series tackles the often-overlooked issue of germplasm health.
Scientist boosted global wheat yield with disease-resistant varieties
Capacity developmentSource: 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.
CGIAR webinar unleashes multidisciplinary approach to climate change and plant health
Environmental health and biodiversityExperts and over 900 participants tackled the agricultural, social, and environmental consequences of climate change-driven impacts on plant health.
Zimbabwe: Centre Develops New Hybrid Maize Resistant to Armyworm
Environmental health and biodiversitySource: 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.
Unleashing the potential of plant health
Climate adaptation and mitigationWebinar series from CGIAR examines the components of the crop supply chain, as part of the International Year of Plant Health.