SciDev.Net

Florence Wambugu, winner of the 2008 YARA prize for African agriculture, speaks to SciDev.Net about the challenges facing the field.

Cassava is getting a transgenic makeover to boost its nutritional value, shelf-life and disease resistance.

The first drought-tolerant maize varieties developed by the Asian Maize Network, established to tackle poor harvests, are showing promise.

A mutant strain of drought-resistant wheat is contributing to Kenya's food security, enabling the use of land previously unsuited to cultivation.

Tanzania's land is gradually being reclaimed, thanks to a new regional development programme and improved land management systems.

Climate change threatens food crops across the world. Now scientists are re-focusing their efforts on crop resilience, rather than yields.

Despite pest and pricing worries, many Asian farmers welcome GM crops. Jia Hepeng heard their stories during a farmers' exchange programme.

Maryke Steffens reports on the influences behind Africa's diverse attitudes to transgenic crops, and the need for a unified agenda.

Dominic Glover outlines the status of agricultural biotechnology research, development and commercialisation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Michael Malakata reports on efforts to fight hunger in Africa by preserving seeds and boosting research into improved crop varieties.

The chequered history of Bt cotton in India — marked by pest resistance and farmers' suicides — has polarised opinions over the technology, reports TV Padma.

Indian scientists say that reduced access to plant material in international gene banks will limit the country's ability to produce enough wheat, reports K.S. Jayaraman.

Ebenezer Bifubyeka asks African delegates at the Convention on Biological Diversity what they plan to do to spread awareness of the uses and risks of GM farming.

Mexican tequila producers are turning to modern plant science to improve the genetic diversity and resilience of their crop, reports Rex Dalton.

Carlos D. Marquez reports on how scientists are working with an indigenous people in the Philippines to save some of the world's most famous rice fields from being destroyed by rats and worms.

Genomics has the potential to revolutionise human health and agriculture, but all involved must make sure a 'genomics divide' doesn't occur.