EVENT NAME A Vision for Crop Improvement and Food Security in a Changing Climate EVENT DATE: THURSDAY, 10 FEBRUARY, 2022 - 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM EVENT BY: SHAUNTICE MCCORKLE Posted Questions [09:10 AM] Schafer Castella asked : Can you please share the link to the draft Global Food Security Research Strategy? 8 upvotes | 3 answers | 0 reply Faith Tarr answered - https://agrilinks.org/post/outlining-us-governments-global-food-security-research-strategy-2022-2026 [10:05 AM] Hans-Joachim Braun asked : Geoff Morris What makes you so confident thjat most / all NARS have capacity to lead variety development. In International Yield trials 30-50% of trials have non siginficant differences. Isn't there need for massive build up of NARS capacity - many have neither sowing machine nor a combine 4 upvotes | 2 answers | 0 reply Geoffrey Morris answered - Yes, improvement in NARS capacity are still needed, and underway. I will note, there are some very strong NARS that anchor regional NARS breeding networks. The question (in the sorghum & millet space) is the CG in a better place to lead variety development than NARS? The last several decades of sorghum & millet adoption data suggests that any advantage that CG has over NARS in research capacity is balanced by the advantage that NARS have in understanding stakeholder needs. There isnt a clear path for CG to fully engage with the diverse sorghum & millet stakeholders -- there is a clear path to CG helping NARS build their capacity. It's difficult in this chat box, but I'm happy to provide more details to back up my points and discuss more! Geoffrey Morris answered - I would also say, I've discussed the difference between the wheat vs. sorghum/millet situations with my wheat colleagues (e.g. Poland, Fritz, etc). It does seem that there are fundamental differences in the sorghum/millet adaptation and value chains that have stymied efforts to develop mega-varieties [09:46 AM] Victor Kommerell asked : Design framework: Important that it remains focused on where breeders can actually make a major difference! Framework should also assist in 'doing no harm'. Think of the inadvertent effect of breeding for/in high-N environments. 3 upvotes | 1 answer | 0 reply Charlie Messina answered - Victor, indeed. The framework should expose the consequences of selection decisions so the breeder can make an inform decision. [09:48 AM] Padmore asked : What are the roles of seed scientists in our quest to improve crops and ensure food security in a changing climate? 3 upvotes | 1 answer | 0 reply Tony Gathungu answered - They can support elements of Demand Led Breeding to incorporate climate-smart traits into breeding programs while taking into consideration the needs of farmers and related markets. [09:35 AM] John Scicchitano asked : Research and development is a continuum. Can CGIAR presenters talk more about the product development and commercialization side, including data on uptake and scaling by African agribusiness? 2 upvotes | 2 answers | 1 reply Alison Bentley answered - We are starting to focus much more on the demand-drivers in seed systems. Please see this recent work from my colleagues Pieter Rutsaert and Jason Donovan: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15427528.2020.1737296 Alison Bentley answered - Similar work is being initiated for wheat (greater public sector and informal seed sector) commercialization and uptake as part of the new OneCGIAR SeEdQUAL initiative (https://www.cgiar.org/initiative/06-seedqual-delivering-genetic-gains-in-farmers-fields/) John Scicchitano replied - Alison, excellent article! This addresses a very important issue as without market uptake, the research will not produce outcomes. This example was for Kenya and more work is needed where seed markets are less developed, including W Africa. from article>>>If private domestic companies focus more on smallholders with lower budgets (including travel budget), they should consider the most cost-effective ways to extend their networks to remote areas as well as compete with the lower prices of Kenya Seed Company. If private domestic companies focus more on smallholders with lower budgets (including travel budget), they should consider the most cost-effective ways to extend their networks to remote areas as well as compete with the lower prices of Kenya Seed Company. [09:50 AM] Nazimi Acikgoz asked : In developing countries, there is a need for systems that will combine the research powers of universities, public and private sectors under one roof for the development of new varieties. Who can make an effort to raise awareness of this? 2 upvotes | 2 answers | 0 reply Alison Bentley answered - This is a great point Nazimi. Integrating and consolidating all of the research outputs is a huge task. Part of CIMMYT's current work with national programs is about prioritizing what research to take forward (e.g. what traits to rapidly introgress and validate) but much more investment is needed to scale this up. Alison Bentley answered - It would be interesting to hear Geoff Morris' view on this re: NARS breeding [10:29 AM] Robert Jordan asked : For Nora Lapitan, What roles do regenerative agriculture and soil health have in the FTF global food security strategy? This focus seems to be mission in the draft strategy. 2 upvotes | 1 answer | 0 reply Nora L Lapitan answered - Hi Robert, this is climate smart agriculture production systems is one of the three research themes if the Research Strategy. That theme emphasizes improving soil health, and other regenerative practices. One of our Innovation Labs emphasizes the application of biochar in African countries that they work in. [10:37 AM] Michael Gabriel asked : in terms of action-learning, uptake and scaling - I haven't heard anything about partnering with international NGOs. Is this seens as ineffective, is that why i rarely hear any CGIAR types talking about this? 2 upvotes | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:50 AM] Larry Schaefer asked : All this talk about soil based agriculture, can anyone talk about the significance that controlled environment agriculture can play in sustainability and resiliency? 2 upvotes | 1 answer | 1 reply Charlie Messina answered - Larry, CE agriculture has its place. You can think that it can increase water and nutrient use efficiencies significantly. However, they could demand quite a lot of energy to build and manage. Probably good to do a life cycle analyses for your project and based on that make a decision. Larry Schaefer replied - We solve that by off-grid applications. [09:27 AM] Sachin Rustgi asked : What are the effects of speeding up generations by changing the photoperiods and temperatures on the plant's transcriptome, proteome, and lipidome (with a known connection with heat stress tolerance), and ultimately on the breeding for heat stress tolerance? Does it influence our ability to select h 1 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Alison Bentley answered - Great question - this was a big question to the scientists who created the speed breeding method (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-017-0083-8) and interestingly the new speed vernalization protocol (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.01.470717v2.full) shows significant differences in gene expression. At the mechanistic level there is still a lot to be understood - which is why using these as a large-scale breeding tool (e.g. at CIMMYT for population improvement across all our pipelines) needs to be tested for impacts on wide adaptation. [09:29 AM] Liz Ogutu asked : Can you kindly talk a bit more about what CIMMYT is doing to improve the nutrition content of resilient wheat considering the stunting rates presented earlier under USAID priorities. Thanks 1 upvote | 2 answers | 1 reply Alison Bentley answered - Our current work is focused on mainstreaming enhanced grain Zn (and Fe) across all breeding pipelines. Read recent coverage here: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/exclusive-new-zinc-fortified-wheat-set-global-expansion-combat-malnutrition-2021-04-15/ Alison Bentley answered - This is primarily to address stunting and malnutrition. We are also exploring the role of other bioactive components. See our recent post on this topic here: https://www.cimmyt.org/blogs/fruits-and-vegetables-are-essential-but-there-are-three-reasons-why-it-takes-cereals-to-feed-the-world/ Liz Ogutu replied - Thanks! [09:30 AM] Enock Maereka asked : Heat is a serious threat to wheat production, but using irrigation as a solution is equally limited because the freshwater resources are becoming scarce too! What should we do? 1 upvote | 1 answer | 1 reply Alison Bentley answered - Of course irrigation can only buffer heat stress where it is available as an option for farmers. Other components of conservation agriculture (aside from drip irrigation) also show evidence for buffering effects, but to a lesser extent. From the breeding side CIMMYT Physiology are working actively on heat-adaptive traits (see more details here: https://hedwic.org/) Enock Maereka replied - Thank you [10:20 AM] Peetambar Dahal asked : Nora Lapitan: Excellent talk on input technologies to address climate change. About 25% annual post harvest losses continue manly due to rainfall/floods affecting food security in changing climates. 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:25 AM] John Scicchitano asked : For Mark: could you compare/contract your work in East vs West Africa, where the markets and demand for improved seed are quite different? 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:28 AM] Michael Friedmann asked : Improved varieties that need more inputs to show their potential- this requires more risk taking by smallholder farmers- so a business case for them must come together with the variety as a package, perhaps some financing package? Insurance? or are trials from farmer fields done under usual inputs 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:34 AM] Kate Fehlenberg asked : @Michael - indeed, farmers need a whole package: inputs, including financing, insurance and water mgt (given scarcity and rainfall change). This will require many actors whose support/ products/ tech come together at community-level delivery points for inputs and education: dealers+INGOS 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:34 AM] Sachin Rustgi asked : Tony, What is the pathway to connect/partner with the foundation? 1 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Tony Gathungu answered - Hi Sachin. Please reach out to me at tony.gathungu@syngenta.com [10:35 AM] Kate Fehlenberg asked : Can ppts and presenter emails be made available afterwards? thanks 1 upvote | 3 answers | 1 reply Michael A Saltz answered - Yes we will post them to the event page and email them out to you. Faith Tarr answered - Yes, the presentations will be shared with all who registered after the event. Kate Fehlenberg replied - thanks! Charlie Messina answered - Kate you can reach me at cmessina@ufl.edu [10:36 AM] Chinta Mani Dhimal asked : Fall Army Worm in corn is widely spreading and affecting corn globally. Are there any FAW resistant varieties available with CIMMYT or any measures to manage FAW. 1 upvote | 2 answers | 1 reply Alison Bentley answered - See this new guide for IPM of fall armyworm from USAID/Feed the Future/CIMMYT https://www.cimmyt.org/news/a-new-tool-to-strengthen-the-fight-against-fall-armyworm-in-asia/ Alison Bentley answered - Also recent release of CIMMYT-derived maize hybrids for Africa: https://www.cimmyt.org/news/announcing-cimmyt-derived-fall-armyworm-tolerant-elite-maize-hybrids-for-eastern-and-southern-africa/ Chinta Mani Dhimal replied - Thank you for sharing the links [10:38 AM] Adrienne Derstine asked : For Mark: it seems like there's two schools of thought in development agriculture- technology/GM as the solution or regenerative ag. Are there initiatives within the TELA Maize Project to bridge this gap by promoting regenerative, CA techniques while also providing improved seed? 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:39 AM] Naomi Sakane asked : The discussion has been very insightful and inspiring, thereby paving the way for a bright future. The key stakeholders have been integrated in most approaches. But, I think we are missing the Farmers Network Organization in the focus countries for inclusiveness purpose. Thank you. 1 upvote | 2 answers | 1 reply Tony Gathungu answered - Great point and we do try to include all stakeholders along the value chain. We need the voice of the farmers Naomi Sakane replied - Thank you for your response. That's helpful. In addition, the regional farmers network organizations can play in key role in creating and maintaining both inputs and outputs markets in their regions. Geoffrey Morris answered - Great point! I didn't have time to highlight the farmer networks, but this one the MOST IMPORTANT reasons I'm arguing that NARS must lead breeding of sorghum & millet. They have some amazingly effective partnerships with farmers organizations and farmer organization networks. These relationships have been incredibly powerful to (1) improve product profiles, (2) test candidate varieties, (3) produce seed, and (4) disseminate varieties. e.g. RESOPP (Farmer network) + ISRA (NARS) partnership in Senegal [10:42 AM] Kate Fehlenberg asked : @Chinta-- CIMMYT has been doing a lot of FAW - check website 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:42 AM] Vincent Ochieng Otieno asked : GM crops have been facing market résistance due to their methods of developments. What are they doing to increase market acceptability? 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:44 AM] Kate Fehlenberg asked : @Adrienne - gCGs are doing a lot on Conservation (regen) Ag-- Bioveristy and CIMMYT doing a lot here. I dont know but hope CG and Regen Ag are not mutually exclusive 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:44 AM] Andrew asked : How far has gene editing developed in improving yields and preventing pests and diseases? Is this non-transgenic intervention an option for GMO restricted countries? 1 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Mark Edge - Bayer answered - Andrew - the gene editing can be non-transgenic if it is just editing a gene in the existing genome. This is the most usual case with gene editing. However, gene editing can also be used for transgenics - so it's a "it depends" question. [10:47 AM] Kate Fehlenberg asked : Go Mark E. - Soil health is heart of regen ag and key to water cycle health. COnservation Ag work within CGs and others have focused on this over the last decade, but need a lot more support/ funds/ scale 1 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Charlie Messina answered - I hope the framework i presented will help make informed decisions about breeding for food and the environment. In my. last slide i make the point that a breeder can make selections for yield, yield stability, water use and C production--whihc is at the core of regenerative ag for soil and water. [10:56 AM] Omena Ojuederie asked : How well have farmers in Africa accepted TELA maize? Are they able to harvest the seeds and plant the next session or they must go back to the seed companies every planting session which discourages farmers? 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:57 AM] Joseph Bangnikon asked : AfriFarm is a technology that may be used to track Fall Army outbreaks. 1 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [09:30 AM] Schafer Castella asked : For Alison - Where can we find more info on the CIMMYT hub model? 0 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Alison Bentley answered - Please see this recent paper from my colleague Andrea Gardeazabal which describes the hub model: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14778238.2021.1884010 [09:38 AM] Kate Fehlenberg asked : @JohnS - I can give you some inputs on that topic. I managed a CG Project to commercialize new seed for 4 years in Kenya. katefehlenberg@outlook.com. 0 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:26 AM] Omena Ojuederie asked : How can the speed breeding technology be adapted by NARS scientists in Africa. Is it cost effective to set up? 0 upvote | 4 answers | 3 replies Alison Bentley answered - For small scale you can access the open-source protocol here: https://wikifactory.com/+growcab/growcab Alison Bentley answered - For larger scale we can work in partnership to prioritize traits and share capacity to co-develop material Geoffrey Morris answered - Great question! Many NARS scientists have some advantages for speed breeding due the tropical environment. In sorghum, Gael Pressoir in Haiti and Cyril Diatta in Senegal are successfully running 2-3 generations per year in outdoor nurseries. e.g. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj4633 Omena Ojuederie replied - Thanks. Omena Ojuederie replied - Is the speed breeding technology suitable for short day plants? I am working on an underutilised legume the African yam bean which produces both edible seeds and tubers but it is photoperiod sensitive Geoffrey Morris answered - Yes, tropical sorghum is also photoperiod sensitive. If you're doing outdoor speed breeding, you need to be really careful about the timing of generations within the year, but it works. If the number of genotypes is small, you can also shade the plants for part of the day (e.g. with trash cans) to provide the short day signal (that's lots of work though!) Omena Ojuederie replied - Thanks [10:27 AM] Tawanda Muzhingi asked : Question for Syngenta Foundation presenter. How are you using climate lens to prioritize investments in your project portfolio especially agribusiness services ad insurance 0 upvote | 0 answer | 0 reply [10:38 AM] Michael Gabriel asked : Mark Edge, i think you showed that DroughtTego had 53% higher yields than commercial/check hybrids. And then you said TELA yielded 43% more than check/non-GMO. Therefore, DroughtTego has a significnatly higher yield than TELA, right? Or what did I miss? Thanks. 0 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Mark Edge - Bayer answered - The GM traits were 43% better than the TEGO non-GM which were 53% better than commercial checks. The GM hybrids were superior to both TEGO and commercial checks [10:38 AM] Hans-Joachim Braun asked : NARS have and do a superb job in working with CG in variety selection. But before the new CG strategy is adopted to turn over responsibility for variety deveopment, there is need for aNARS by NARS and crop by crop analysis who is ready.Not acceptable is that farmers would get non-optimal varieties. 0 upvote | 2 answers | 0 reply Geoffrey Morris answered - The status quo in sorghum & millet is that farmers are already getting non-optimal varieties (or not getting varieties at all). So, I'm not talking about dismantling a broadly successful CG pipeline, and shifting effort to NARS. The sorghum & millet community is really still trying to find a model that works (Sorghum & millet adoption data: https://www.cabi.org/cabebooks/ebook/20153367543) Geoffrey Morris answered - There has been important recent successes from both ICRISAT and NARS breeders on locally-adapted varieties -- the question still remains on how to learn from these small successes and scale up? [10:52 AM] Larry Schaefer asked : I wanted to add to that question…. Can we agree CEA is really climate smart and climate proof, off-grid production. 0 upvote | 1 answer | 0 reply Tony Gathungu answered - CEA does work and we've seen challenges in scaling it in a smallholder farmer environment and we are mostly supporting private sector players scale up EGS production especially on potatoes. You can see a good case here http://www.kisima.co.ke/forestry-1 where SFSA supported the scaling