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.

Features

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Experts share their insights on the link between biodiversity loss and emerging infectious diseases.

News

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

New blog published by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs argues that balancing food security, rural livelihoods, water for agriculture and air quality need not be a zero-sum game.

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: Maclean's (6 Mar 2020)

Preserving ancient maize landraces in Mexico is key for biodiversity, food security and future sustainability.

Videos

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Consumers near Mexico City perceived blue maize tortillas to taste better. They were willing to pay up to a third more to buy them for special family events or to consume them in restaurants.

Features

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Although farmers have been battling pests and diseases since the dawn of agriculture, experts warn that climate change could accelerate or expand their spread.

Blogs

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

How can we feed more people while protecting nature and biodiversity?

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: Dawn (6 Feb 2020)

CIMMYT warns wheat-growing farmers in Pakistan to watch for yellow rust disease.

Features

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

At international conference, plant nutrition experts highlight the important role of sustainability.

Publications

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

CSISA publishes policy and research note on how to develop balanced nutrient management innovations in the region.

Features

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Soil conservation means food security for farmers in Malawi.

In the media

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Source: Culinary Backstreets (2 Dec 2019)

Food entrepreneur worked with CIMMYT researcher to create a fair market for farmers with surplus heirloom maize in Mexico.

Blogs

tag icon Capacity development

Experts are developing data and dashboards to advise policymakers about the cost and feasibility of liming to increase maize productivity.

Features

tag icon Environmental health and biodiversity

Study gives insight into Mexican consumers’ preferences and demand for blue maize tortillas.

Features

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Maize experts, as well as scientists from other key crops, from around the world came together to discuss these challenges and how to solve them at the 23rd Latin American Maize Reunion and 4th Seed Congress, held October 7-10 in Monteria, Colombia.

News

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Using existing sources of information, quantifying soil organic carbon would be a first step to increasing it, a crucial way to support climate change mitigation and agricultural resilience.