Nutrition, health and food security
As staple foods, maize and wheat provide vital nutrients and health benefits, making up close to two-thirds of the world’s food energy intake, and contributing 55 to 70 percent of the total calories in the diets of people living in developing countries, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. CIMMYT scientists tackle food insecurity through improved nutrient-rich, high-yielding varieties and sustainable agronomic practices, ensuring that those who most depend on agriculture have enough to make a living and feed their families. The U.N. projects that the global population will increase to more than 9 billion people by 2050, which means that the successes and failures of wheat and maize farmers will continue to have a crucial impact on food security. Findings by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which show heat waves could occur more often and mean global surface temperatures could rise by up to 5 degrees Celsius throughout the century, indicate that increasing yield alone will be insufficient to meet future demand for food.
Achieving widespread food and nutritional security for the world’s poorest people is more complex than simply boosting production. Biofortification of maize and wheat helps increase the vitamins and minerals in these key crops. CIMMYT helps families grow and eat provitamin A enriched maize, zinc-enhanced maize and wheat varieties, and quality protein maize. CIMMYT also works on improving food health and safety, by reducing mycotoxin levels in the global food chain. Mycotoxins are produced by fungi that colonize in food crops, and cause health problems or even death in humans or animals. Worldwide, CIMMYT helps train food processors to reduce fungal contamination in maize, and promotes affordable technologies and training to detect mycotoxins and reduce exposure.
Advancing gender and social inclusion in agroecology: Insights from the CGIAR Agroecology Initiative in Zimbabwe
Time Running Out to Avert Food Catastrophe, but There Is Hope
CIMMYT advances scientific innovations to boost crop productivity, resilience, and global food security
Advisory services boost bean farming in Malawi
The AID-I program boosts bean farming in Malawi by connecting farmers to markets, improving yields and incomes, and enhancing resilience and food security
Sowing a Seed of Hope: Transforming Lives through Mixed Farming in Nepal
In Nepal, CIMMYT’s Mixed Farming Initiative transforms traditional farming into sustainable, resilient systems for marginalized communities
Tecnologico De Monterrey Develops Nutraceutical Corn to Address the Global Food Crisis and Improve Health
Source: barchart ()
Tecnologico de Monterrey and CIMMYT developed nutraceutical corn to enhance nutrition and advance food security
CIMMYT visit celebrates strategic scientific partnership
Source: John Innes Centre ()
CIMMYT and the John Innes Centre are advancing global wheat research through a strategic partnership focused on innovative solutions for disease resistance, productivity, and sustainable food systems
CIMMYT-ICAR Workshop on Long-Term Agricultural Experiments
CIMMYT and ICAR’s workshop on Long-Term Agricultural Experiments fostered collaboration to advance sustainable agriculture and climate resilience
Sustaining Health and Soil: Sundhani Tharu’s 4Rs Approach to Farming
Sundhani Tharu, a farmer from Nepal, is transforming her community through sustainable farming practices, blending tradition with innovation to nurture healthier soils, crops, and lives
Navigating the seed market and transforming agricultural productivity
AgriNet connects farmers with improved seeds, processes grains for diverse markets, and collaborates with CIMMYT and NaSARRI to align research with market needs and boost agricultural productivity
Climate Change and Child Malnutrition in Zimbabwe: Evidence to Action
How Atubandike dialogues are redefining gender and youth inclusion in Zambian agriculture
CIMMYT’s Atubandike initiative empowers women and youth in Zambia, promoting inclusivity and resilience in agriculture through dialogue and capacity building.
Enhancing agricultural research with FAO’s AGRIS and AGROVOC programs: A conversation with CIMMYT’s knowledge management team
CIMMYT leverages AGRIS for global visibility and AGROVOC for seamless data access, advancing its mission to share vital agricultural knowledge.
Exploration of options for functional seed systems and understanding of market needs for cereals and pulses in sub-Saharan Africa
The Seed Systems and Market Intelligence team of CIMMYT’s Sustainable Agri-Food Systems Programme met in Kenya for a three-day retreat to review cutting-edge research on seed systems and market dynamics.
CIMMYT and Novo Nordisk Foundation expand collaboration to drive sustainable agriculture
CIMMYT and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are partnering to advance sustainable agriculture, address food security and climate change, and empower farmers worldwide.
Training the next generation of plant breeders with VACS
The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (VACS) Capacity Project aims to train scholars and professionals in Africa in the latest plant breeding technologies