Workshop “Complementary strategies to raise wheat yield potential”

Recent growth in wheat yield potential has failed to keep up with global demand, raising a serious threat to maintaining a wheat food supply for future generations. Recent fluctuations in wheat prices and the decline in global reserves underline the fragility of wheat supplies, particularly for the resource-poor. Climate change and unsustainable production systems gravely challenge the ability of developing countries to produce enough wheat for their needs.

Faced with this scenario, world-renowned wheat experts are gathered at CIMMYT headquarters during 10-13 November to discuss and map out innovative methods for significantly raising wheat yield potential and to establish an international wheat yield potential consortium. Approaches under consideration include making photosynthesis more efficient, improving environmental adaptation, addressing the physical processes involved in lodging, and physiological and molecular breeding. The ultimate aim is to integrate research components in a common breeding platform and get new, high-yielding wheat varieties to farmers as quickly as possible.