19 Oct2018
by Carolyn Cowan
A diverse and inclusive agricultural framework can
be fostered by involving both women and men from different socioeconomic
backgrounds and age groups in agricultural innovation interventions. Such an
approach can ensure equitable access to resources while stimulating local
innovation and development outcomes. Achieving this aim is a complex task.
Gender-focused agricultural research for development can inform and streamline
the process.
01 Oct2018
by Carolyn Cowan
Access to optimal seed is vital for smallholder farmers to
achieve high quality crops that give the best yield possible, allowing them to
maximize financial and nutritional gains. Understanding and evaluating the
methods by which smallholders obtain their seed is fundamental to guaranteeing
farmers are receiving high quality seed that will support improved livelihoods.
28 Sep2018
by Carolyn Cowan
The ‘Milpa Demonstration Garden’ outside the genebank offices is flourishing this year. Planted and managed by the CIMMYT germplasm bank staff, this project has been providing color and charm at the El Batan campus through the late summer for several years.
The motivation for the project is to provide a talking point
that links the rigorous science of CIMMYT’s largely monoculture-based research
work with traditional Mesoamerican polyculture, known as milpa. Typically, the milpa agricultural system is centered on
three main crops – often termed the ‘three sisters’ – maize, beans and squash.
27 Sep2018
by Carolyn Cowan
A new technical manual for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) of seed quality in maize breeding and seed production will help to guarantee the production and distribution of high quality certified seed to farmers and consumers.
