The United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May reminds us that “When biodiversity has a problem, humanity has a problem”. We rely on a wide genetic diversity of animals, plants and microorganisms to nourish and protect us – and we degrade this rich resource base at our peril. Agriculture remains the largest threat to biodiversity. The expansion
CGIAR CONTRIBUTORS CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems, ICARDA, LIVESTOCK TYPE OF INNOVATION Biophysical science Genetic (varieties and breeds) Production systems and management practices Research and communication methodologies a
CGIAR CONTRIBUTORS CCAFS, CIFOR-ICRAF, FTA, ILRI, PIM TYPE OF INNOVATION Biophysical science Genetic (varieties and breeds) Production systems and management practices Research and communica
Germplasm banks around the world are protectors of genetic diversity, altogether preserving roughly 700,000 samples of wheat varieties from fields far and wide. Thomas (Tom) Payne, the head of CIMMYTs Wheat Germplasm Collection, or genebank, manages the Mexico-based collection of nearly 150,000 accessions from over 100 countries. He has been affiliated with CIMMYT since 1988, and has dedicated his career
The global pandemic and extreme weather events have intensified the problems faced by small producers and other actors in the coffee supply chain. Increasingly, the coffee sector has found it necessary to act with urgency and to seek new options to be resilient to climate change.Projections of climate impact on coffee production in Central America for 2030 and 2050, indicate
Climate change-induced droughts in Zimbabwe over the last two decades has hit resource-poor farmers the most. Many watched their valuable livestock die during the dry season due to fodder shortages and their inability to buy expensive commercial feed. The impact of drought on livelihoods is undeniable, but the problem was exacerbated by massive knowledge gaps. A ‘needs assessment’ project survey
Since they are a vital part of the reproduction process of many plants, a decline in pollinators is a serious issue for biodiversity and resilience ecosystems. Wild pollinators fertilize most flowering plants, enhance seed and fruit production and increase genetic diversity, which improves regeneration and strengthens the ability of plants to adapt to environmental changes and pathogens. This year, we
With over 2.3 million confirmed cases to date, and more than a third of the world population under some form of mobility restriction or lockdown, the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has abruptly affected the performance of the world food market, with rice as one of the most notable examples. While the price of some staple foods has decreased due to