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.
New innovative crops could significantly reduce agriculture’s climate change impact and environmental footprint
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded a grant of up to USD 21.1 million to CIMMYT for a groundbreaking initiative to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture, by developing new wheat varieties that are capable of reducing agriculture’s nitrogen footprint. The CropSustaiN initiative could have sweeping implications for global food security and environmental sustainability.
CIMMYT and China join forces to tackle wheat disease in Africa
Capacity development
Experts from Chinese agricultural research organizations and CIMMYT partnered to deliver workshops for African scientists and breeders on mitigating the effects of wheat Fusarium head blight.
Indian scientists visit Türkiye for soil and root health training program
Capacity development
As a part of CIMMYT’s Soil-borne Pathogens (SBP) program in Türkiye, a group of scientists and professors from Bihar, India, visited Türkiye to attend a training course on soil and root health. Participants embarked on a transformative journey driven by a shared passion for climate-resilient agriculture. Coordinated by the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), their mission unfolded across the picturesque landscapes of Türkiye, where they delved into the depths of soil and root health management.
Roots of resilience: my journey as a Conservation Agriculture champion
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Conservation Agriculture promotes climate resilience, increased crop yields, and healthier plants, supporting livelihoods and food security across the region. Grace Malaicha tells her story.
With agricultural diversification, more is better
Capacity development
Combining diversification strategies boosts synergies and reduces tradeoffs.
Unanswered questions and unquestioned answers
Environmental health and biodiversity
Crop residue and weed control in southern Africa
Sustaining Conservation Agriculture initiatives: lessons from Malawi
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Conservation Agriculture offers sustainable solutions for Malawi’s agriculture. Prioritizing farmer-centered approaches can drive widespread adoption, ensuring food security and climate resilience.
Digging in the Dirt: Detailed soil maps guide decision-making, from the field to the policy room
Climate adaptation and mitigation
It’s not just dirt. Soil health is a key component in agricultural sustainability.
Sow, grow, and thrive: a pathway to improve cassava farming in Zambia
Climate adaptation and mitigation
SIFAZ is shifting farmer mindsets towards promoting sustainable practices that not only improve cassava yields but minimize physical labor.
Successful surveillance results in early first detection of Ug99 in South Asia
Environmental health and biodiversity
The detection of a Ug99 race in Nepal highlights the effectiveness of the wheat rust surveillance and monitoring systems developed by CIMMYT and partners.
A tale of two worlds: contrasting realities in southern and northern Zambia during El Niño
Climate adaptation and mitigation
El Niño has contributed to starkly different weather patterns in northern and southern Zambia. On World Water Day 2024, this piece navigates the complex challenge of mitigating water abundancy and scarcity through different agricultural practices that support livelihoods and food security.
Network develops optimized breeding pipelines for accelerated genetic gains in dryland crops
Capacity development
The Africa Dryland Crop Improvement Network (ADCIN), NARES, and CGIAR scientists in Africa optimized quantitative genetic criteria for breeding programs and breeding strategies and pipelines for chickpea, pigeon pea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl-millet, and finger millet crops.
MARA-CIMMYT Joint Laboratory hosts CGIAR delegation
Environmental health and biodiversity
The MARA-CIMMYT Joint Laboratory, hosted by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), welcomed a delegation of CGIAR directors on genetic innovation and resources.
Enhancing wheat breeding efficiency in South Asia through early germplasm access
Environmental health and biodiversity
Success stories witnessed in India, Pakistan, and Nepal underscore the transformative potential of this approach, offering a beacon of hope for agricultural communities in South Asia and beyond.
Advancing conservation agriculture
Capacity development
A workshop brings together scientists to share the latest innovations in conservation agriculture to benefit smallholder farmers and reduce the effects of climate change on food production.