DNA fingerprinting uncovers exactly who and why farmers use improved cassava

by Maria Eliza Villarino | Nov 21, 2017

Cassava production in Colombia’s southwestern Cauca department. Photo by: Neil Palmer / CIAT It was a eureka moment for geneticists at the CIAT gene bank. They found 60 new cassava varieties from samples brought into their lab from Colombia’s Cauca Department....

In Bonn, CIAT scientists collect prestigious UN award

by Maria Eliza Villarino | Nov 14, 2017

Dr. Daniel Jimenez and Dr. Julian Ramirez represent the 30-plus researchers of CIAT and CCAFS working on climate services during the awarding ceremony of the 2017 Momentum for Change Lighthouse Activities at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in...

Climate-smart agriculture profiles: A peek into 2050 and what can be done for Asia’s most at-risk countries

by Maria Eliza Villarino | Nov 3, 2017

A female farmer in the community of Beora in Nepal’s Rupandehi District. Photo by: Neil Palmer / CIAT Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) profiles for some of Asia’s most climate change-vulnerable countries are now out. CSA involves agricultural practices that can help...

Where in the world is there a cassava virus? This new app can show you.

by Maria Eliza Villarino | Oct 25, 2017

Symptoms of the disease include short internodes on the stem. Photo by: Georgina Smith / CIAT In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, CIAT lead virologist Wilmer Cuellar stood before Food and Agriculture Organization representatives to confirm the presence and likely spread of...

With genome editing, plant breeding gets a boost

by Maria Eliza Villarino | Oct 12, 2017

CIAT Research Associate Sandra Valdes holds a petri dish with germinating rice seeds that are part of a a study to prove if a single gene may offer resistance to the destructive hoja blanca virus. Photo by: Neil Palmer / CIAT CIAT Research Assistant Alejandro Brand...