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From cutting-edge research to work saving seeds in communities, even our small actions can have a big impact on saving crop diversity and putting it to good use. Read the latest news highlighting these efforts and more.

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News

A Year Like No Other

2020 reflections by Stefan Schmitz, Crop Trust Executive Director 

 

 

For everyone in the world, 2020 has been a year like no other.

The global pandemic has left no one...

21 Dec 2020

21 Dec 2020

Flowers
News

US Crop Wild Relatives Desperately Need Conserving

From sunflowers to blueberries, cranberries and blackberries to pecans and squash, the United States is home to a variety of widely eaten crops and their wild relatives. Unfortunately, many of these wild cousins of familiar crops...

18 Dec 2020

18 Dec 2020

Illustration of scientist holding wheat
News

Hope for Multilateralism Yet

Luigi Guarino | Director of Science

I think it’s fair to say that things have not been going very well for multilateralism lately. Quite apart from what’s been happening in politics around the world, but possibly connected to it,...

10 Dec 2020

10 Dec 2020

News

Crop Trust a Finalist for Food Planet Prize

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is honored to be recognized as a finalist for the 2020 Food Planet Prize, which was established by the Curt Bergfors Foundation in Sweden.

“Our food system is broken, and the planet is ailing,”...

27 Nov 2020

27 Nov 2020

News

Kenyan Farmers Can Bank on Tree Seeds

Tree genebanks can make a valuable contribution to the food security and incomes of smallholder farmers in developing countries, a new study suggests.

The study, published in the journal Food Security, examined the experiences of...

26 Nov 2020

26 Nov 2020

HANOI, VIETNAM, 16 AUGUST 2016: Genetically engineered Cassava plants are transplanted in a experimental greenhouse at the Hanoi headquarters of the International center for Tropical Agriculture. CIAT’s mission is to reduce hunger and poverty, and improve human nutrition in the tropics through research aimed at increasing the eco-efficiency of agriculture. Backed by the Colombian government and Rockefeller, Ford, and Kellogg Foundations, CIAT was formally established in 1967 and began its research in 1969. CIAT’s staff includes about 200 scientists. Supported by a wide array of donors, the Center collaborates with hundreds of partners to conduct high-quality research and translate the results into development impact. A Board of Trustees provides oversight of CIAT’s research and financial management. CIAT develops technologies, methods, and knowledge that better enable farmers, mainly smallholders, to enhance eco-efficiency in agriculture. This makes production more competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient through economically and ecologically sound use of natural resources and purchased inputs. CIAT has global responsibility for the improvement of two staplefoods, cassava and common bean, together with tropical forages for livestock. In Latin America and the Caribbean, research is conducted on rice as well. Representing diverse food groups and a key component of the world’s agricultural biodiversity, those crops are vital for global food and nutrition security. In its work on agrobiodiversity, the Center employs advanced biotechnology to accelerate crop improvement. Progress in our crop research also depends on unique collections of genetic resources– 65,000 crop samples in all – which are held in trust for humanity. Alongside its research on agrobiodiversity, CIAT works in two other areas – soils and decision and policy analysis – which cut across all tropical crops and production environments. Center soil scientists conduct research across scales – from fields and farms to production systems and landscapes – to create new tools and knowledge that help reduce hunger through sustainable intensification of agricultural production, while restoring degraded land and making agriculture climate smart. CIAT’s work on decision and policy analysis harnesses the power of information to influence decisions about issues such as climate change, linking farmers to markets, research impact assessment, and gender equity. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images for Crop Trust)
News

Connecting Genebanks, Economics and Careers

The Genebank Impacts Fellowship

Two cohorts of young professionals have had the opportunity to leverage their passion for economics and agricultural sciences through a Genebank Impacts Fellowship, supported by the CGIAR Genebank...

16 Nov 2020

16 Nov 2020

An International Rescue Mission from Syria to Svalbard
News

An International Rescue Mission from Syria to Svalbard

When war broke out in Syria in 2011, the future of one of the world’s most important seed collections was put at risk. What followed was an internationally coordinated rescue to ensure the preservation of this priceless heritage. ...

13 Nov 2020

13 Nov 2020

New Global Assessment of Plant Genetic Resources Gets Underway
News

New Global Assessment of Plant Genetic Resources Gets Underway

Stefano Diulgheroff, Bonnie Furman, Arshiya Noorani, Ndeye Ndack Diop, Wilson Hugo, Shawn McGuire, Lucio Olivero, Luigi Guarino and Chikelu Mba

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) are critical for achieving...

11 Nov 2020

11 Nov 2020

Harnessing the Power of Nature Explored at GLF Biodiversity Conference
News

Harnessing the Power of Nature Explored at GLF Biodiversity Conference

Are we doing enough to harness the power of nature? How can we do more?

The Crop Trust convened a session called Harnessing the Power of Nature at the GLF Biodiversity Digital Conference: One World - One Health which explored the...

9 Nov 2020

9 Nov 2020

The Power and Potential of Agrobiodiversity
News

The Power and Potential of Agrobiodiversity

Protecting and harnessing the earth’s biodiversity is more critical than ever to tackle urgent issues like climate change and hunger.  The GLF Biodiversity Digital Conference: One World - One Health brought together over 5,000...

6 Nov 2020

6 Nov 2020

Seed Conservation Continues Despite The Pandemic
News

Seed Conservation Continues Despite The Pandemic

Secure Crop Diversity, Secure Food

The global pandemic has not halted efforts to secure agrobiodiversity. Genebanks around the world continue to strive to conserve seeds and germplasm that will form the foundation of the world’s...

4 Nov 2020

4 Nov 2020

Safeguarding Biodiversity, Forever
News

Safeguarding Biodiversity, Forever

While the world seems to get further entangled in a web of concurrent crises, there are a growing number of leaders and experts who are sparking new hope and trust in the future. At the GLF Biodiversity conference on 28-29...

2 Nov 2020

2 Nov 2020

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