Accelerating Genetic Gains in Maize & Wheat for Improved Livelihoods
Millions of resource-poor farmers have not benefited from the best agriculture science and research, often growing outdated, sub-optimal crop varieties. Socially or economically disadvantaged groups, particularly women, are least likely to have access to information and new technologies, including seed of improved varieties. The project brings together partners in the global science community and in national agricultural research to accelerate the development of climate-resilient, pest and disease resistant, highly nutritious and higher-yielding varieties of maize and wheat, two of the world’s most important staple crops. Specifically focusing on supporting smallholder farmers in 17 low- and middle-income countries of Africa and South Asia, the project uses innovative methods that improve breeding efficiency and precision to produce varieties targeted to farmers’ needs. To reach and benefit as many farmers as possible, the project works to improve equitable access, especially by women, to seed and information about the new varieties.
Matching Funders
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT)
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The Latest
Insights
Our Insights highlight unique perspectives from across the food and agriculture community.
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Indigenous Farmers are Leading a “New Green Revolution” Focused on Hemp
James DeDecker, Director, Michigan State University – Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center Mary Donner, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians – Ziibimijwang Farm Executive Director and Tribal Citizen
Filling the Hemp Research Gap
Going Nuts: Nut Crops as Climate Resilient Protein Alternatives for the Future
Matt Davis
University of California, Davis
Building Tools for Plant Genome Editing
FFAR Fellow, Simon Sretenovic
University of Maryland, College Park
Tackling Malnutrition with Biofortification
Aichatou Djibo Waziri
Washington State University
Wheat: already delicious and now nutritious
Addison Carroll
FFAR Fellow
Dusting the Soil for Fungus-Prints: Spinach Seed Production and One of its Greatest Threats
Alex Batson
Washington State University
A day on the Battlefield: Searching for Perennial defenses in wild places
Kelsey Peterson
2019-2022 FFAR Fellow
Gene Editing is a Real Solution for Climate Change
Nicholas Karavolias
FFAR Fellow 2020-2023
Heavy Metal and Chocolate: Not the Best Pairing
Zachary Dashner
2018-2021 FFAR Fellow
Combating Herbicide Resistance
Abby Barker
2018-2021 FFAR Fellow
Food for the Future: How Artificial Intelligence Can Improve Drought Resistance
Kevin Xie
2018-2021 FFAR Fellow
News
The latest news and updates from FFAR.
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Grant Improves Stress Tolerance in Carrots
Developing Smart Breeding Methods to Increase Crop Resilience
Scientists Unite to Combat Fusarium Wilt in Cotton
Increasing Drought Tolerance in Rice
Improving Yields & Traits in U.S. Hemp Crops
New Falling Number Test Prevents Wheat Contamination, Saves Farmers Millions
Domesticating Saltwater Crops for Future Food Needs
RIPE researchers determine chloroplast size unlikely option for improving photosynthetic efficiency
Unveiling the secrets of green pods: The role of soybean pods and seeds in photosynthesis
Grant Trains African Scientists to Improve Regionally Important Crops
Fortifying Wheat Against Heat and Drought
FFAR Grant Improves Plant-based Protein’s Production and Nutritional Content
Promoting Mung Bean Crop Opportunities
Hemp Research Consortium Awards Initial Grants
FFAR Grant Promotes Sorghum Health Benefits
FFAR Grant Identifies Genes Promoting Climate Resiliency in Wheat
FFAR Grants Develop Heat Tolerance in Crops
FFAR Supports Boosting Climate-Resilient Wheat
FFAR Grant Accelerates Climate Resilient Crop Breeding
FFAR Grant Speeds Domestication of Sustainable Crops
Breakthroughs
Tools, technologies and strategies from the research we fund.
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Accelerating Crop Development with Improved Haploid Fertility
Breakthrough for Accelerated Development of Crops of the Future
Getting to the Root of the Problem: Fastidious Pathogens
Breakthrough for A Novel Bioassay for Culturing and Characterizing Fastidious Phytopathogens