CGIAR: Feeding our future | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

CGIAR research centers, such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, are developing crop varieties that are more heat and drought tolerant, helping to alleviate the suffering of subsistence farmers who are most affected by climate change.

Key Insights

• 🌍 Climate Change: Climate change leads to longer periods of drought and increased flooding, affecting the livelihoods of over a billion subsistence farmers worldwide.
• 🌱 Crop Improvement: The CGIAR system focuses on developing better seeds that are heat tolerant, drought tolerant, and more productive, especially for the crops that benefit the poorest farmers.
• 🌽 Maize Research: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a leading CGIAR research center, working on improving maize to be more productive, resistant to drought and diseases, and adaptable to climate change.
• 🌱 Impact on Farmers: Farmers adopting the new varieties developed by CGIAR experience 20-30% higher yields compared to those who don't, allowing them to improve their productivity, have a balanced diet, and send their children to school.
• 🥘 Food Security: Enhancing the productivity of crops like maize in Sub-Saharan Africa has a cascading effect on food security, allowing communities to have a more balanced and healthy diet.
• 🌍 Climate Justice: While reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial, it is equally important to address the needs of the poorest farmers who contribute the least to emissions but suffer the most from climate change.
• 🌾 CGIAR's Importance: The CGIAR system represents the only hope for poor country farmers in terms of accessing improved seeds that can uplift their lives and potentially save millions of lives.
• 🌱 Global Collaboration: CGIAR's global research facilities, like CIMMYT, work together to develop and bridge new crop varieties that can cope with droughts, heat stress, diseases, and pests brought about by climate change.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How does CGIAR help subsistence farmers adapt to climate change?

CGIAR research centers like the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center focus on developing crop varieties that are more resilient to climate change, particularly drought and diseases, to help subsistence farmers cope with the challenges they face.

Q: Why is it important to develop heat and drought-tolerant crop varieties?

With the increasing impacts of climate change, including longer periods of drought and heat waves, developing crop varieties that can withstand these conditions is crucial to ensure food security and livelihoods for subsistence farmers.

Q: How does the adoption of improved crop varieties benefit farmers?

Adopting improved crop varieties can significantly increase farmers' productivity and income, with studies showing that farmers using drought-tolerant maize varieties in sub-Saharan Africa can achieve yields 20 to 30 percent higher than those using conventional varieties.

Q: What is the role of CGIAR in addressing climate change impacts on agriculture?

CGIAR plays a crucial role in supporting smallholder farmers, who are most affected by climate change, by developing and disseminating improved crop varieties that can withstand climate-related challenges, ultimately helping to improve food security and alleviate poverty.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• CGIAR research facilities aim to improve crop varieties, particularly those consumed by subsistence farmers, to withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

• The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center is one of the leading CGIAR research centers working on developing drought- and disease-resistant maize varieties.

• Adoption of these improved crop varieties leads to higher productivity and income for farmers and can have positive impacts on food security and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa.