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.

In the media

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Mexico, with CIMMYT, blocked 1,463 risky shipments, protecting against 258 pests and highlighting climate change’s food security impact.

In the media

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Source: Seed Quest ()

A study in World Development reveals that CGIAR’s crop technologies, including significant contributions from CIMMYT, generate $47 billion annually in global economic benefits.

Blogs Publications

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Conservation Agriculture offers sustainable solutions for Malawi’s agriculture. Prioritizing farmer-centered approaches can drive widespread adoption, ensuring food security and climate resilience.

Blogs

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Stakeholders call for a holistic approach to managing Kenya’s dryland crop seed system for sustainability and food security.

Blogs

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SIFAZ is shifting farmer mindsets towards promoting sustainable practices that not only improve cassava yields but minimize physical labor.

News

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With the right mix of policy support, technological innovation, and market development, millets have the potential to become the cornerstone of Africa’s resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

Blogs

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El Niño has contributed to starkly different weather patterns in northern and southern Zambia. On World Water Day 2024, this piece navigates the complex challenge of mitigating water abundancy and scarcity through different agricultural practices that support livelihoods and food security.

Publications

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A study by CIMMYT found a positive association between women’s role in household decisions concerning crop production and the adoption and turnover of rust-resistant wheat varieties.

News

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The 2024 Women in Triticum Early Career Awards recognize early-career scientists for their advancements in wheat research and food security.

In the media

tag icon Nutrition, health and food security

Source: Xinhua ()

The Pakistan-China partnership, with CIMMYT’s support, aims to improve wheat yield and quality in Pakistan, targeting sustainable agriculture and advancement towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Features

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In Tanzania, community champions like Venansia Swale play a fundamental role in encouraging the adoption of improved seeds and increasing yields for smallholder farmers.

In the media

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Source: The World Bank ()

The SADCP in Angola, backed by CIMMYT, significantly boosted food security and incomes for 179,000 farmers by enhancing crop yields and sales through innovative farming practices from 2016 to 2022.

News

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Wheat breeding lines that pass testing under Mediterranean heat and dry conditions are specially suited for rainfed farming around the Basin, including in North Africa.

Blogs

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In Mozambique, women spearhead efforts to enhance soybean yields with improved agronomic practices, yielding community-wide benefits.

Blogs

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Genetic trials in the region will continue throughout 2024 and 2025 to establish a baseline for genetic gains and to enable the assessment of the breeding pipeline’s progress in the coming years.