CIMMYT Annual Report 2001-2002: Diversity to heal the Earth and feed its people

Abstract

In my new role as CIMMYT’s Director General, I am pleased to present this report on our latest research. We have called our report Diversity to Heal the Earth and Feed its People to emphasize the immense value of diversity in sustaining people and the environment. The pages that follow describe the many forms of diversity that are essential to our work: genetic diversity in plants, agricultural system diversity, a varied range of research partnerships, a global research program addressing the needs of more than 100 nations, and a multinational, multicultural team of researchers based throughout the developing world. As plant breeders, we have an abiding respect for genetic diversity, because it is the medium with which we work. Many of the stories in this report emphasize why is it vital to use new sources of diversity, such as sources of resistance to diseases and pests, tolerance to drought, and other characteristics that enable plants to withstand difficult agricultural conditions. The stories also highlight the many ways in which we are seeking diversity: by looking within the genomes of plant species, searching among the myriad collections of seed in our genebank, evaluating many thousands of experimental strains of maize and wheat, and working with farmers to preserve traditional maize and wheat varieties. As specialists in the managementof agricultural systems and natural resources, we know that agriculture cannot be sustained without diversity in cropping systems. Our research on conservation agriculture, climate change, and soil fertility reflects a holistic approach that extends beyond particular maize and wheat cropping practices to address the resource constraints and conservation needs of entire agricultural systems. As social scientists, our effort to set research priorities is based on an analysis of the myriad factors that influence the potential for agricultural research to improve livelihoods, from the global to the local level. Nations and individuals alike pursue different paths to development, as shown in this report. These very different perspectives must be understood if CIMMYT is to make enlightened choices about its own contribution to development. Finally, given the magnitude of the problems facing agriculture in developing countries, it is no surprise that research to solve those problems must rely on a broad spectrum of partners. To be effective rather than a mere formality, a research coalition must be able to benefit from the diverse perspectives of its partners. It must foster the kind of participation that yields new opportunities to innovate and creates an intense human commitment to taking new paths toward a shared goal. This report provides examples of many such alliances and shows how they are having an impact in rural communities. Another point that is implicit throughout this report is that diversity of any kind—whether we are speaking of genetic diversity or the diversity of our research community—is most useful in the service of a unifying vision. As we go to press with this report, we are initiating the development of a new vision and strategy for our research center. Today, when the world is sharply divided over how to sustain its people and its natural resources, it is more important than ever for CIMMYT to develop a clear vision of its mission over the next 10 to 20 years and to articulate a flexible, proactive strategy for making that vision a reality. Our new strategy, developed through extensive consultation within and outside our research center, will lay the foundation for the institutional changes that will enable us to serve the poor constructively and responsibly in the years to come.