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.
Annual Report 2021 launched
Capacity developmentCIMMYT discovers and validates new science, translates it into innovations, and scales them up for farmers and society.
Partnerships crucial for protecting plant health
Environmental health and biodiversityInsights from the CGIAR Plant Health Initiative reached new audiences at the first ever International Plant Health Conference.
Expanding BISA expertise to new horizons in South Asia
Nutrition, health and food securitySenior government representatives from across South Asia join forces to consolidate food security in the region.
Advice for food systems in crisis featured in GAP Report
Nutrition, health and food securityCIMMYT explains how the world can protect agrifood systems from market shocks, such as the conflict in Ukraine, to prevent food insecurity.
AGG-Maize project registers impressive progress
Nutrition, health and food securityAchievements and next steps discussed at the review meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.
The right time for the right place
Nutrition, health and food securityZone-specific recommendations provide Afghan farmers with the best practices in wheat production for their region.
Quality protein maize: a road ahead
Nutrition, health and food securityTo alleviate malnutrition associated with essential amino acids, QPM development and deployment should be further proliferated to reach a large number of consumers.
Opinion: Feeding people on this warming Earth requires future-proofing our agri-food systems. Here’s how.
Nutrition, health and food securitySource: MarketWatch (23 Sep 2022)
Models of funding for agricultural research and development (R&D) need to adapt in order for the world to meet current challenges to agrifood systems.
The world cannot ignore the global food crisis and its consequences
Climate adaptation and mitigationSource: Des Moines Register (25 Sep 2022)
Cary Fowler, US Special Envoy for Global Food Security, mentions CIMMYT as one example of institutions “contributing significantly to global food security.”
Regenerative agriculture in Mexico: the case of Bimbo
Environmental health and biodiversitySource: Opportimes (22 Sep 2022)
Grupo Bimbo and CIMMYT partnership aims to improve regenerative agricultural practices for wheat and maize in Mexico.
Integrated initiative launches in Nepal, India and Bangladesh
Climate adaptation and mitigationCollaborative project between CGIAR research centers aiming to improve food security in South Asia launches in three countries.
The future of wheat
Capacity developmentCIMMYT’s experimental station in Obregón is a mecca for wheat research and breeding, where scientists have access to state-of-the-art field facilities and an ideal location.
Why co-creation is vital for sustainable agriculture
Climate adaptation and mitigationCIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts explains to government and private sector partners how CIMMYT equips farmers to capitalize on new technologies, resulting in climate-smart processes and increased food security.
Can agriculture bring South Asian countries together?
Climate adaptation and mitigationAn article in Amar Ujala in India explores the cross-country collaboration instigated by the Borlaug Institute for South Asia.