First drought-resilient, high iron beans for Uganda released

by Georgina Smith | Aug 8, 2016

Five new bean varieties bred with high iron and resilience to the impacts of drought have been released in Uganda for the first time. The varieties – co-developed by the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), the Rwandan Agricultural Board (RAB)...

CIAT announces new Regional Director for Africa

by Georgina Smith | Jul 22, 2016

CIAT is pleased to welcome Dr. Debisi Araba as Regional Director for Africa. With extensive experience in agricultural policy and project implementation, he will work with the team to establish a vision and strategy for CIAT’s pan-Africa research programs, building on...

Eating high-iron beans reduces iron deficiency in just a few months

by Georgina Smith | Jul 19, 2016

Eating specially-bred, high-iron beans twice-a-day for just four-and-a-half months reduced iron deficiency and anaemia in young women in Rwanda, according to a new study. Iron deficiency is the world’s leading nutritional ailment, particularly in developing countries....

Brachiaria breakthrough: scientists home-in on apomixis

by Paul Blake | Jul 15, 2016

The US corn industry underwent a massive transformation during the 20th century. The introduction of hybrid seeds allowed farmers to grow row after row of uniform plants, which produced large quantities of grain. The seeds, which were produced by selectively breeding...

Guiding decision making in agriculture for a triple-win

by Georgina Smith | Jul 8, 2016

Guiding decision making in agriculture for a triple-win  When this study called for policy makers to set realistic targets towards meeting the Paris climate agreement some weeks back, authors were calling for real milestones to measure global progress. But...

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...