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Community seedbank secrets revealed in a new book
A new book by Earthscan/Routledge in association with Bioversity International, reviews the history, evolution, experiences, challenges, successes and failures of community seedbanks and their contribution to food sovereignty and security.
Found all around the world, from Guatemala to Uganda and Nepal, community seedbanks play an important role in maintaining…
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Managing Panama disease in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
A toolbox for farmers to reduce banana yield loss caused by Panama disease, prevent its spread and promote awareness of this devastating fungal disease.
A toolbox for farmers to reduce banana yield loss caused by Panama disease, prevent its spread and promote awareness of this devastating fungal disease.
Nancy Chaves, Bioversity International Research…
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Forest landscape restoration: a solution to global challenges
M. Ann Tutwiler addresses the importance of well matched and genetically diverse planting material when restoring degraded land and gives an update on Bioversity International's research to support forest restoration.
If all of the globe’s degraded land were put together, it would constitute an area the size of South America. Major global actors…
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In memory of Mitsuaki Tanabe
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mitsuaki Tanabe, renowned Japanese artist and conservationist who created two banana sculptures for Bioversity International in honour of agricultural biodiversity.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the renowned Japanese artist, sculptor and conservationist, Mitsuaki Tanabe, aged 76. Mr. Tanabe was…
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EXPO Milano 2015 - Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life
Bioversity International will be participating in 15 events at EXPO Milano, and organizing its own women's empowerment event in September.
From May 1st to October 31st, 2015, Milan will host the first universal exhibition entirely on food and nutrition, promoted by the United Nations, the European Union and the Italian Government.
EXPO Milano…
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Why scientists must become advocates for change
In her latest blog, M. Ann Tutwiler talks why she highlighted the need for scientists to adapt to a changing climate during a recent interview for DEVEX.
I recently participated in a panel debate on closing the gender gap in farming under climate change. The panel debate was part of a high-level event organized by the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture,…
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Farming systems and how they relate to local diets in the Barotse
What do communities in the Barotse floodplain in Zambia grow and why? What are their constraints to using crop biodiversity? Read more about this transient floodplain in this guest blog post from Wageningen University.
By Trinidad del Río, Wageningen University
When people in the Barotse flood plain are asked what their favourite food is…
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Treating drought like other natural disasters in Guatemala
Bioversity International scientist Jacob van Etten explains how drought drills can improve Guatemala's response to drought, in this Thomson Reuters article.
"Since drought is a slow-onset disaster, it is usually not treated as an emergency event,” says Jacob van Etten from Bioversity International. Unlike hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, drought…
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Filling in knowledge gaps for better management of forests and trees
What research support is needed to help countries meet their pledges to restore forests on degraded lands? This and other questions are explored in a conversation among scientists from several centres who are carrying out research on the management and conservation of forest and tree resources within the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry,…
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The future of food - why protected areas are more than just a safe haven for pandas
While the wider public perception of the value of protected areas may often be as a safe haven for poster child endangered species, the real value is much more. Danny Hunter, supporting author of two chapters in a new book 'Protected Area Governance and Management' explains why.
Protected areas are places where conscious…
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A living laboratory for rare fruit trees, roots, tubers and medicinal plants in Bangalore
India’s first ever genetic garden opens to safeguard and study rare plant species that are important for food and medicine, in one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots.
A living laboratory for rare crop and fruit diversity opens in Bangalore India’s first ever genetic garden opens to safeguard rare species that…
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Half a century of pioneering seed conservation: an interview with Malaysian seed icon Professor Chin
Celebrating his 80th birthday, Dr Chin Hoong Fong, Bioversity International Honorary Fellow and iconic professor emeritus of Universiti Putra Malaysia speaks about the leaps that seed technology has taken during – and thanks to – his 55-year long career.
Few of us will ever be able to speak with as long a…
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Nutritious, delicious and eaten in space – The State of the Art Report on Quinoa around the World
With contributions from Bioversity International scientists, a FAO report with the most up-to-date technical and scientific information on this exceptional crop is now available in English.
It’s nutritious, resistant to drought and cold, and is the perfect astronaut food. Wondering what that could be? Quinoa, of…
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Tribute to first Director General of Bioversity International Professor Trevor Williams
It is with great sadness that Bioversity International announces the passing of Trevor Williams,who was instrumental in establishing a worldwide network of genebanks to ensure future food security.
It is with great sadness that Bioversity International announces the passing of Trevor Williams,who was instrumental in…
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Mixing it up in Uganda: Biodiversity bugs pests
Bioversity International's latest research in Uganda is showing increased evidence that growing different varieties (mixtures) of crops together can reduce pest and disease incidence.
What do you do when a crop you are growing tastes good and sells well, but is frequently attacked by pests and diseases? You could apply an array of pesticides, herbicides…
