Innovations
Working with smallholders to understand their needs and build on their knowledge, CIMMYT brings the right seeds and inputs to local markets, raises awareness of more productive cropping practices, and works to bring local mechanization and irrigation services based on conservation agriculture practices. CIMMYT helps scale up farmers’ own innovations, and embraces remote sensing, mobile phones and other information technology. These interventions are gender-inclusive, to ensure equitable impacts for all.
What is conservation agriculture?
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Farmers are increasingly adopting conservation agriculture practices. This sustainable farming method is based on three principles: crop diversification, minimal soil movement and permanent soil cover.
One-minute science: Carolina Rivera explains wheat physiology
Innovations
Growing the right wheat varieties is necessary to nutritiously feed a growing population in the context of environmental stress.
CIMMYT scientists join fellow experts in San Diego for world’s largest plant and animal genomics conference
Innovations
Researchers share their work translating the latest molecular research into breeding solutions for better maize and wheat varieties.
The Future of Food – Food Substitute Pills
Innovations
Source: Vice (21 Jan 2020)
Seed banks, like the one at CIMMYT’s headquarters in Mexico, are part of planning for the future of food.
Study calls for better understanding of fertilizer prices faced by African smallholder farmers
Innovations
Scientists use spatial price prediction models to estimate local prices that might be more relevant than the national average.
Seed systems in Nepal are going digital
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Digital seed information system will connect farmers to information and seed suppliers.
New publications: Durum wheat selection under zero tillage increases early vigor and is neutral to yield
Innovations
Researchers demonstrate that CIMMYT’s durum wheat lines can be grown, bred, and selected under zero tillage or conventional tillage conditions without negatively affecting yield.
Policy brief highlights opportunities to promote balanced nutrient management in South Asia
Environmental health and biodiversity
CSISA publishes policy and research note on how to develop balanced nutrient management innovations in the region.
Prevention is better than cure
Innovations
Amos Alakonya talks pests, procedure, and why everyone should be concerned about seed health.
Harnessing research for climate-resilient wheat
Capacity development
A new video highlights the work of the Heat and Drought Wheat Improvement Consortium (HeDWIC) to create new climate-resilient wheat varieties.
Ethiopia, great mobilization against wheat rust
Innovations
Source: Donne del Food (28 Nov 2019)
Rapid alert system has been developed to predict the spread of wheat rust.
Kanwarpal Dhugga awarded top honor in science
Innovations
CIMMYT researcher named Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
Investing in drought-tolerant maize is good for Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Recent impact studies in Uganda and Zambia show that farmers adopting drought-tolerant maize increased their yields significantly and reduced risks of crop failure.
New mobile technology to help farmers improve yields and stabilize incomes
Innovations
The COMPASS smartphone phone app uses data from farmers and from satellites to provide precise crop management advice.
First steps taken to unify breeding software
Innovations
Experts work together at hackathon to develop Enterprise Breeding System that can serve CGIAR organizations and national agricultural research programs.