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.
CIMMYT Maize hybrids ranked first and third in nation-wide trials in India
Two hybrids from CIMMYT developed under the Heat Tolerant Maize for Asia (HTMA) project were ranked first and third during the 2015 All-India Coordinated Maize Program trials.
New Publications: Research sheds light on climate and yield risk in South Asia
Research highlights important risks to farmers’ yields in Pakistan due to climate change.
A Chat With: Mark Lynas – sustainable agriculture key to food security amid climate change
Sustainable agricultural practices are key to feeding the global population in the face of climate change said Environmentalist Mark Lynas.
A Chat With: U.S. nutritionist Julie Miller Jones speaks out about GE crops
Leading nutritionist sets out to educate the general public on the benefits of genetically modified crops.
China’s vice premier ushers in new era of agricultural collaboration
China’s Vice Premier Liu Yandong visits CIMMYT to thank the organization for its contribution to China’s agricultural development over the past 30 years.
New Publications: Study reveals new insights about machinery adoption in Bangladesh
In this list of recent publications, we discuss new ways how development practitioners and policy makers can approach machinery adoption in Bangladesh.
CIMMYT and partners set the pace in maize and wheat research in Africa
State-of-art research facilities leap Africa’s Agricultural potential through modern research.
Ancient maize varieties provide modern solution to tar spot complex
In southern Mexico and Central America a fungal maize disease known as tar spot complex is decimating yields, threatening local food security and livelihoods.
CIMMYT receives collaboration award from the Yunnan provincial government
CIMMYT received a collaboration award recognizing contributions made to improving maize and wheat productivity, from the government in China’s Yunnan Province.
Building Zambia’s drought-tolerant maize business
Drought tolerant maize can reduce risks for farmers and allow for more consistent crop production in the face of climate variability in southern Africa.
Drought-tolerant maize a boon to farmers in Zambia hit by El Niño
Drought-related challenges in Africa call for proactive interventions rather than reactive ones.
Emergency seed project brings relief to drought-affected farmers in Ethiopia
As Ethiopia struggles with its worst drought in 50 years, farmers pin their hopes on seed delivered through emergency seed projects.
HarvestPlus World Food Prize laureates benefit more than 10 million people
HarvestPlus director Howarth Bouis is one of four winners of the 2016 World Food Prize for research leading to a substantial increase in the availability of nutritious biofortified crops.
Smallholders in Rwanda and Zambia to enhance wheat productivity through new project
A new project aims to over double wheat production in target areas of Zambia and Rwanda to help smallholders meet rising demand and cope with high import costs.
Education, supportive policies key to making biotechnology work for Africa
Increasing public understanding and creating supportive policies key recommendations at a session on boosting Africa’s use of biotechnology.