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.

Blogs

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AVISA Farmers’ Hub initiative aims to empower local farmers, enhancing food security and agricultural development in North Central Nigeria.

In the media

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Source: The Horn (14 Nov 2023)

CIMMYT scientist, Kindie Tesfaye highlights the role of user-centric climate information services and advisories in empowering farmers.

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: China Daily (15 Nov 2023)

CIMMYT Director General, Bram Govaerts, praises China’s substantial investment in science and technology for food security.

tag icon Nutrition, health and food security
Project Leader, Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) / Chief of party AID-I
In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: Ukr Agroconsult (1 Nov 2023)

Press releases

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GRP and CIMMYT signed up cooperation framework at Borlaug Dialogue organized by the World Food Prize Foundation.

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: Medium (30 Oct 2023)

Sainsbury Lab, John Innes Centre and 21 institutes, led by CIMMYT, join forces to monitor plant pathogens and improve wheat productivity in East Africa and South Asia.

In the media

tag icon Nutrition, health and food security

Source: Progressive Farmer (25 Oct 2023)

Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT director general, emphasized the global impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on agriculture and the link between peace and food production.

In the media

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Source: Farm Kenya (19 Oct 2023)

Experts are now turning to millet as a leading solution to combat rising obesity rates and improve nutrition in Kenya.

News

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

As the world faces food insecurity and malnutrition fueled by a changing climate, experts reveal that millets, a valuable nutritious and climate-resilient food source, offer an opportunity to enhance sustainable food production and transform food systems.

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: Grain Central (26 Sep 2023)

Breeding and seed technology is an important part of the partnerships that will continue to foster thriving markets.

In the media

tag icon Climate adaptation and mitigation

Source: Quartz (20 Sep 2023)

As hotter temperatures and drought become the norm in places used to growing wheat, CIMMYT is working to face new and ongoing challenges to develop a more climate resilient wheat.

In the media

tag icon Nutrition, health and food security

Source: China Today (19 Sep 2023)

Former CIMMYT’s director general (2008-2016), Dr. Thomas A. Lumpkin, talks about climate change, international cooperation and the future of food security.