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.
Scientists at NaSARRI to develop iron and zinc bio-fortified sorghum
Source: Charmar News ()
CIMMYT, in partnership with NaSARRI and stakeholders, is pioneering a project in Uganda to biofortify sorghum with iron and zinc to reduce malnutrition in East Africa.
CIMMYT joins global efforts to curb greenhouse emissions and strengthen food systems
CIMMYT promoted ways to lessen climate shocks, especially for smallholder farmers who inordinately suffer the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures and extended droughts.
Researchers push for adoption of high-yielding millet varieties in Busia
CIMMYT and partners are spearheading the adoption of high-yielding millet varieties to boost food security and tackle climate change.
Protected: CSP2301-008RTX: ACRCP Phase 5: Optimising genetic control of wheat rusts through high value resistance genes
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Protected: Food and nutritional security for rural communities in the state of Quintana Roo
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Protected: GRUMA’s Sustainability Plan: Promoting sustainable agrifood systems in intensive production schemes
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Protected: Regenerative Agriculture Data (RAD): Evidence base of MasAgro’s farmer innovations
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Protected: PARTNERSHIP: Triticale research and breeding for grain quality and yield
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Protected: Accelerated Variety Turnover for Open-pollinated Crops
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Protected: Regenerative Agriculture Program
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Protected: Crops to End Hunger CtEH: Groundnut, Sorghum, Millet
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Protected: Agricultural Technology Adoption Initiative (ATAI) II (DFID-DF)
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Padma Shri for Kashi scientist Ravi Prakash Singh
Source: The Times of India ()
Dr. Ravi Prakash Singh, associated with CIMMYT, is awarded the Padma Shri.