Biofortification scientists win the World Food Prize

by Neil Palmer | Jun 29, 2016

Four scientists who worked to improve the nutritional content of staple crops have won the 2016 World Food Prize. Laureates Howarth Bouis of HarvestPlus (right), and Maria Andrade, Robert Mwanga, and Jan Low of the International Potato Center (CIP), were announced at...

What’s your beef? Why it might be time to give livestock a break

by Neil Palmer | Jun 21, 2016

Cows are regularly portrayed as evil: four-legged, four-stomached, greenhouse gas machines chomping through forests and destroying the planet. It’s no wonder the idea of a climate-smart livestock system sounds like an oxymoron. Nevertheless, I’m promised a glimpse. To...

High-iron beans: a new “superfood” for Colombia

by Neil Palmer | Jun 13, 2016

New high-iron beans have been officially released in Colombia. They contain as much as 60% more iron than normal beans, and are intended to address the problem of iron deficiency – the world’s most persistent nutritional ailment. Affecting up to 2 billion people...

“Foreign” crops – from maize to mangoes – dominate national food consumption and farming practices worldwide

by Neil Palmer | Jun 8, 2016

“Foreign” crops – from maize to mangoes – dominate national food consumption and farming practices worldwide The origins of over two-thirds of the grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural crops countries grow and consume can be traced to ancient...

Could “magic beans” help ease Malawi’s maize woes?

by Neil Palmer | May 12, 2016

Whichever way you drive into or out of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, maize is everywhere. It flanks the roadsides for miles and miles; huge, undulating expanses disappear into the distance. You’d be forgiven for thinking the country was preparing for a bumper...