How can crop innovation better serve smallholder farmers: lessons from wheat
Abstract
Agriculture is based on innovation, from the first human settlements and establishment of farming to the modern day. However, much needs to improve to achieve food security. In the context of wheat breeding, many new tools and technologies are available for increasing the accuracy, intensity, and speed of selection. This talk will provide an overview of lessons from accelerating spring wheat breeding in the Global Wheat Program of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). These advances are combined with the long-standing requirement for extensive testing and feedback to provide robust breeding material to partners throughout the Global South.
Alison Bentley
Alison Bentley is the director of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program and the CGIAR Research Program on Wheat (WHEAT). Alison leads and manages a team of scientists who use scientific approaches to develop improved wheat germplasm. This germplasm is distributed to around 200 cooperators in wheat-producing countries worldwide, and is responsible for the derived varieties being grown on more than 50% of the spring wheat area in developing countries.
Prior to joining CIMMYT in November 2020, she worked in the UK focused on translation of fundamental scientific breakthroughs into tangible impacts for the agri-food sector. She has a doctorate in agricultural science and PhD in agriculture from The University of Sydney, Australia.
Alison Bentley, Director, CIMMYT Global Wheat Program & CGIAR Research Program E: a.bentley@cgiar.org
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
About Science Seminars
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
