There are seven crops which are heroes of our global food security: alfalfa, barley, durum wheat, finger millet, grasspea, potato, and rice. From the comforting warmth of a bowl of rice to the hearty crunch of a potato chip, these crops nourish and sustain billions of people around the world. But with climate change knocking at our door the urgency to boost their resilience and productivity is clear. We are on a race against time to improve them and ensure they can withstand the storms and droughts ahead and continue nourishing generations to come.
Welcome to Crop Chronicles, where the stories of our seven key crops come to life. Join us on a journey through the fields and farms, where you'll meet the resilient farmers who nurture these crops and rely on them for their livelihoods. But our adventure doesn't stop there. In the face of a changing climate, we delve into the race to adapt these crops with the scientists who are working to ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Crop Chronicles sheds light on the challenges, triumphs, and innovations shaping the future of agriculture. So, come explore with us as we celebrate the resilience of our crops and the people who bring them from farm to table.
Rice
Rice, a staple food for over half the world’s population, is deeply rooted in cultural heritage and vital to global food security. Resilient and symbolic of hope, rice has sustained communities and traditions for centuries. However, it now faces challenges from climate change, pests, diseases, salinity, and drought. Scientists are developing stronger, higher-yielding rice varieties to withstand these pressures, supporting farmers, local economies, and cultural continuity. Rice is more than a crop—it’s a lifeline for billions and a crucial crop for a sustainable future. Let’s celebrate rice and the legacy it nurtures.
Farmers Know Best: Developing Salt-Tolerant Rice in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta
Just like everybody needs somebody to love, every new crop variety needs a farmer.
Developing better seeds that can withstand the effects of climate change is only valuable if farmers show them a little love, and actually want to...
22 Jun 2021
22 Jun 2021
In Vietnam: Farmers Evaluate Wild Rice-derived Lines
We recently visited our Crop Wild Relatives partners at the Mekong Delta Development Research Institute, Can Tho University, in Vietnam. Professor Huynh Quang Tin is leading a participatory plant breeding (PPB) initiative where 13...
31 Jul 2019
31 Jul 2019
Finger Millet
Discover finger millet, a hardy crop often called the “easy” crop due to its low water needs and adaptability to rainfed conditions. This powerhouse grain is packed with protein, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and zinc—making it nutritious for people and animals alike. But like many crops, Finger Millet faces challenges from climate change, pests, and diseases. Thanks to agricultural innovation, scientists are developing new, resilient varieties that promise high yields, even in drought and unpredictable weather.
Finger Millet Breeding Gets A Boost In East Africa
A new three-year project holds promise to mainstream finger millet into the cropping system in Africa and improve the livelihood and nutrition security of smallholder farmers in Africa and worldwide. The project was launched last...
4 Apr 2023
Barley
In this episode of Crop Chronicles, barley takes center stage, sharing its journey as a vital crop domesticated 10,000 years ago. Once a staple for Roman gladiators, barley remains a resilient fighter, thriving in the harshest climates and supporting small farmers in drylands. With the help of ancient genes, breeders are creating new, stronger varieties to withstand even tougher conditions. As climate change intensifies, barley stands ready to lend its strength to farmers and communities in need. It's time to be bold—just like barley.
New Drought-tolerant Varieties of Durum Wheat and Barley for Morocco
An international collaboration of world-leading scientists led by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and supported by the Crop Trust, has delivered six new durum wheat and barley...
17 Mar 2023
Guardian Reports: Brazilian Beans and Japanese Barley to Svalbard
The Guardian reports on the addition of Brazilian beans and Japanese Barley to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.
Some 20,000 plant species from more than 100 countries and institutions will be added to the global seed bank in...
26 Feb 2014
26 Feb 2014
Alfalfa
Meet Alfalfa, also known as Lucerne—a super plant that enhances soil fertility, combats desertification, and supports farmers in dairy, meat, and other sectors. Despite challenges like dryness and frost, Alfalfa is adapting with the help of science, ensuring it remains a vital resource for smallholder farmers.
Kauke Alfalfa Gives Farmers’ Livelihoods a Boost in Chile’s Central Valley
“It produced tremendous amounts, beyond my expectations, especially during the summer months, when nothing else grows. So, I cut the alfalfa and stored it away to feed my horses during those harsh months.”
Juan Luis Acuña...
23 Aug 2024
Durum Wheat
Join us as we explore the world of Durum Wheat, a beloved grain essential to countless delicious dishes enjoyed worldwide. From the Mediterranean to India and Africa, this resilient crop faces challenges like drought and heat, with over 65% of its cultivation depending on rainfall. Learn about the innovative efforts of plant scientists who are enhancing Durum Wheat's resilience and see how these advancements ensure it continues to thrive, bringing smiles and sustaining culinary traditions for years to come.
Pre-Breeding For Dummies With Anna Backhaus
It's April. Night is falling in Agadir, a coastal Moroccan city bordering the southern Atlantic coast, and Anna is talking about her pre-breeding work and the day's experiences, which included visiting farmers in an isolated rural...
23 Jul 2024
Grasspea
This lesser-known legume holds immense cultural and nutritional significance, particularly in regions where it serves as a vital staple crop. Through the lens of Crop Chronicles, we uncover the stories of farmers who rely on the grasspea for sustenance, navigating both its nutritional benefits and the inherent risks associated with its cultivation. As we delve deeper, we explore the race to adapt this crop to a changing climate, ensuring its continued viability in the face of environmental challenges. Join us as we take you to the journey of the grasspea, celebrating its role in nourishing communities and driving agricultural diversity.
Enjoy Katie Parla’s Grasspea Soup – At Your Own Risk
Some foods are delicious but dangerous. Fubu, or puffer fish, is an extreme example: only trained chefs are allowed to prepare the funny-looking fish for risk-loving gourmets.
But humans have also accepted risk in more prosaic...
24 Jun 2024
Grasspea Innovation Shines in Ghent
In June, the picturesque city of Ghent, Belgium, gathered grasspea fans and experts at the inaugural International Lathyrus Day.
Organized by the Fernand Lambein Fund and sponsored by the Crop Trust, this event honored the...
26 Jun 2024
Potato
Discover the extraordinary story of the potato, a crop that feeds more people than any other non-cereal and boasts incredible nutritional benefits. From its ancient roots in South America to modern breeding efforts combating climate change and disease, the potato's journey is one of resilience and innovation. Learn how indigenous communities and scientists are working together to preserve and strengthen this vital food source. Dive into the rich history, genetic diversity, and future potential of the potato, and see why it's time to shed the "humble" label and celebrate this remarkable crop.
The One That Makes the Daughter-In-Law Cry and Other Potato Recipes From the Women of the Potato Park
Is there a food that’s more emblematic of Peru than the potato? Long, round, bumpy, yellow, purple, red. Every imaginable shape and color is on the menu. And the women there know how to prepare them.
I have been in Peru doing...
30 May 2024
Carlos Ochoa: The Indiana Jones of the Potato World
In this installment of our Seed Heroes series, we remember the unique contributions of Peruvian scientist Carlos Ochoa, whose hazardous collection expeditions in search of wild potatoes paved the way for many of today’s improved...
24 May 2024
