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 worldâs 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 worldâs 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.
Building capacities in genetic resources and seed production strengthens collaboration ties between Guatemala and CIMMYT
Capacity developmentMore than 20 participants attended the genetic resources and seed production courses delivered by CIMMYT scientists in Antigua, Guatemala.
Seven new CIMMYT maize hybrids available from Southern Africa Breeding Program
InnovationsCIMMYT is happy to announce seven new, improved tropical maize hybrids that are now available for uptake by public and private sector partners.
Rear fish in a rice paddy? Old ways can future-proof food production
Nutrition, health and food securitySource: South China Morning Post (18 Dec 2022)
CGIAR scientists share the importance of testing new research models for integrated aquatic and terrestrial production systems.
Sustainability of rice production in the Northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains
Climate adaptation and mitigationScientists determine nitrogen use could be reduced without impacting rice yields for sustainability of rice production in Northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains.
A renewed CGIAR can better support South Asia to determine its food future
Climate adaptation and mitigationSource: Mongabay (13 Dec 2022)
Temina Lalani-Shariff, Regional Director of South Asia at CGIAR, explains CGIAR is evolving so that it can continue to be the scientific partner of choice for national research institutes and governments.
Food systems that work for people and the environment
Climate adaptation and mitigationClimate change requires us to think differently about protecting nature while ensuring food security is a reality for all.
Feature: Reciprocal cooperation between China, int’l agricultural research agency safeguards food security
Nutrition, health and food securitySource: Xinhua News (23 Nov 2022)
Four decades of partnership between China and CIMMYT is supporting global efforts to achieve food security.
Shared priorities and plans for partnership
Capacity developmentDirector Generalâs visit to Ethiopia consolidates existing partnerships and finds new opportunities for collaboration.
Analyzing 25 years of maize supply and demand in the Global South
Nutrition, health and food securityAfter first being cultivated more than 9,000 years ago, research shows that maize not only plays an essential role in global agrifood systems today but has a strongly increasing demand.
Agriculture for Peace platform launches at Borlaug Dialogue
Nutrition, health and food securitySeven founding partners introduced Ag4Peace, a new initiative that aims to build resilient food systems and improve livelihoods and diets in low- and middle-income countries.
Plant health data is critical for effective policy change
Environmental health and biodiversityExperts gathered at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum to drive forward research partnerships to curb crop loss due to pests and diseases through efficient global sharing of data.
Is food security possible without peace?
Nutrition, health and food securityFor the International Week of Science and Peace, Govaerts and Burke analyze whether it is possible to achieve food security without peace, and how the two are interlinked.
âPerennialâ rice saves time and money, but comes with risks
Nutrition, health and food securitySource: Science (7 Nov 2022)
Research on rice crops that do not need replanting in China is showing promising results for yield, finances and labor, and the environment.