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.

ICN2, FAO and WHO want to know how YOU think we can reach the 2025 global nutrition targets - Participate in the online survey by 11 October!

The world has committed to eradicate hunger and eliminate all forms of malnutrition by 2030. The UN General Assembly launched the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016-2025) to strengthen global action and to bring together initiatives and efforts working towards the 2030 goal.

Probably only a few Hungarian families would fail to meet “the pulse challenge” – eating at least one dish based on dried lentils, beans or peas every week.

Yet, while robust lentil or bean soups are staples of the national cuisine, those dried seeds of leguminous plants struggle with an image problem. They are seldom treated as a healthy ingredient with almost endless potential.

Genome sequencing has the power to revolutionize food security and sustainable agriculture including food safety, animal, plant and public health, reducing the risks from disease outbreaks and improving agriculture through effective plant and animal breeding. While several industrialized countries advance with the technology, application in developing countries is limited. This side event provides a forum for Members to discuss benefits, drawbacks, policy implications and challenges that call for global actions.