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Farming First is now running a three-week advocacy campaign to encourage young people to pursue agricultural careers. From 3rd – 21^st October, the #IamAg Campaign showcases the many careers available in agriculture. Check out the campaign page here.  

Under the theme Making a Difference in Food Security and Nutrition, the 43rd session of the Committee on World Food Security looks at discussing and adopting policies that will propel the sustainable agenda and the food security agenda Sustainable Agricultural Development for Food Security and Nutrition, including the Role of Livestock as well as Connecting Smallholders to Markets.

Heat- and drought-tolerant varieties and improved practices will raise farmers’ incomes, offer more affordable food and reduce costly imports

Bigger and healthier maize is helping to counter the effects of severe drought caused by the warming effects of an El Nino weather system that has swept across southern Africa making more than 30 million people in the region dependent on food aid.

New varieties of the most important staple food crop in southern Africa, developed by scientists at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), not only flourish in drought, but can produce bumper crops in ideal growing conditions.

Newly approved CGIAR Portfolio sets agenda for next generation agriculture research for development

Credited with saving hundreds of million from hunger in the post-World War II era, global agricultural research organizations such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) will need to change their focus, funding base and partnerships in coming decades, to continue contributing to food security, prosperity and reduced environmental degradation in developing countries, said Derek Byerlee, an agricultural economist.

Encouraging youth willing to become “hunger fighters” to take up the challenges of farming despite erratic weather caused by climate change, drought, dwindling water supplies and nutrient-depleted soil, is key to future food security, said Julie Borlaug, associate director for external relations at the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M University.

Although increasing food supply to meet future demand must involve pushing the boundaries on technological innovation, sustainability must always be first and foremost, said Martin Kropff, director general of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), at a conference to mark the 50^th anniversary of the organization, which has attracted almost a thousand delegates from Mexico and around the world, including agriculture ministers, scientists, policy makers and farmers.