Latin America and the Caribbean
What’s your beef? Why it might be time to give livestock a break
Climate-smart livestock systems are alive and well in southwestern Colombia – but can they reach other parts of the country and beyond?
Winter is coming
Given the climate prediction models that indicate that winter is coming, is Colombia ready to face another winter 2016-2017 like La Niña 2010-2011?
High-iron beans: a new “superfood” for Colombia
New high-iron beans have been officially released in Colombia.
Call for abstracts: First Latin American Ecosystem Services Partnership Conference
“Healthy ecosystems for resilient societies” is the theme chosen for the First Latin American Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) Conference to take place in CIAT Headquarters, at Palmira, Colombia, on 18–21 October 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 breadbaskets in distant parts of the world, according to an exhaustive peer-reviewed report published today.
More tools for Colombian rice producers to face climate challenges by 2030
When talking about agriculture, year 2030 is closer than it seems, especially when rice production is at risk in a country such as Colombia, where only in 2014, 1,758,739 tons were harvested and per-capita consumption reached 39.62 kg a year.
Among the effects associated with climate change, there is changing rainfall patterns and reduced water availability, a natural resource in high demand when growing irrigated rice. This, along with the commitment to reducing 20% of GHG emissions by 2030 that Colombia made during the last Conference of the Parties (COP21) held in Paris in December 2015, make it even more imperative to find alternatives that are sustainable for producers as well as the environment.
Eight bean lines with the perfect combination: drought resistance and high grain yield
NCB 280, NCB 226, SEN 56, SCR 2, SCR 16, SMC 141, RCB 593, and BFS 67, these are the technical names of the eight elite bean lines identified as parents to start new crossings improved for drought resistance at CIAT’s Bean Program. It has thus been reported in the recently published paper entitled Effective use of water and increased dry matter partitioned to grain contribute to yield of common bean improved for drought resistance.
Water harvesting: CIAT-FLAR project receives high honor
A joint CIAT-FLAR initiative that has allowed farmers in Nicaragua to grow a bumper crop during dry seasons has been recognized for its exceptional innovation by FONTAGRO.
In post-conflict Colombia, what does forest conservation depend on?
There are some things that money cannot buy, including the co-benefits derived from forest conservation efforts for climate change mitigation. Actually, when it comes to conserving our forests, financial incentives do not seem to be the main motivation for deciding whether or not to conserve them.
Join now the First Latin American Regional Conference on Ecosystem Services
“Healthy ecosystems for resilient societies” is the theme chosen for the first Latin American regional ecosystem services conference to take place in CIAT Headquarters, at Palmira, Colombia, on 18–21 October 2016, within the framework of the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP).
CIAT in Latin America
Through our work in one of the most ecologically and agriculturally diverse regions on the planet, we aim to ensure that the whole world benefits from agricultural innovations developed in Latin America and the Caribbean.
With its wealth of natural resources, wide pool of human talent, and strong record of technological innovation, the region has great potential for restoring degraded lands, achieving sustainable agricultural development, and strengthening global food security.