CGIAR Centres in the News
CGIAR Centres in the News
This web site aggregates news clippings about the Alliance of Centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. The 15 Centres of the Alliance mobilize agricultural science to reduce poverty, foster human well being, promote agricultural growth and protect the environment.
This electronic clippings file is a service provided by the Public Awareness staff at Bioversity. Please let us know of any errors or omissions.
02 April, 2008 - Custodians of diversity
Farmers continue to grow diversity on their farms, according to results of a new study by Bioversity International recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Senior Scientist Devra Jarvis and colleagues examined 27 agricultural crops on more than 2000 small farms on five continents and found that in almost all cases, farmers grew more than one crop variety and sometimes, as many as 60 varieties. “There still is a lot of diversity left in farmers' fields,“ said Jarvis. ScienceNow and Ansa in Italy, report.
02 April, 2008 - More on UG 99
Several news services report on the recent spread of UG 99 to Iran and of CIMMYT and ICARDA's efforts to find a solution to the problem.A recent workshop organized by ICARDA brought together experts from all over the world to standardize protocols and strengthen international collaboration in the fight against stem rust. Find out more on Reuters AlertNet, Center for Research on Globalization, Kazinform, ZeeNews India, Gristmill.org, TopNews India, AFP and EurekAlert.In Pakistan, farmers breathed a sigh of relief as trials showed no sign of UG 99 in the country, yet. The Daily Times and the Associated Press of Pakistan report.
02 April, 2008 - ICRISAT strengthens research capacity
The Business Standard in India reports that ICRISAT has opened a Center of Excellence in Genomics and a BioFood Knowledge Center at its headquarters in Patancheru. The Biofood center will serve to strengthen research and development in food processing with a focus on cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and medicinal and aromatic plants.In what appears to be a very similar vein, ICRISAT is also planning on collaborating with the Indian government to launch a Platform for 'Translational and Transgenic Research'. The platform will help smaller firms undertake trials for genetically modified crops in an effort to create a more “level playing field“ for companies developing genetically modified seeds. Read more on livemint.com
02 April, 2008 - Asia's rice crisis
News of falling rice stocks in Asia and of rising prices are causing a stir in the press. Several news services report on Asia's rice crisis quoting IRRI's Robert Ziegler on what needs to be done. Most notably, the Economist, the Guardian in the UK, BBC News, the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times report.
02 April, 2008 - Gene against banana bacterial wilt
Scientists at IITA and the National Research Organization in Uganda have identified a gene for developing varieties of banana with resistance to bacterial wilt. Find out more on FreshPlaza.com
