Partnership Launched To Increase Wheat Yields April 11, 2014 12:00 am A new international partnership aims to increase wheat yield by 50% by 2034 in response to the growing demand for the crop. World Bank estimates that global wheat production will need to increase by 60% from 2000-2050 to meet the demand of a growing population. The International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP), launched at the Borlaug summit on wheat for food security in Mexico, brings together funders, research groups and international aid agencies. The Partnership whichincludes the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and USAID will focus on six key research areas: Uncovering genetic variation that creates the differences in carbon fixation and partitioning between wheat lines Harnessing genes from wheat and other species through genetic modification to boost carbon capture and fixation to increase biomass production Optimizing wheat development and growth to improve grain yields and harvest index Developing elite wheat lines for use in other breeding programs Building on discoveries in wheat relatives and other species Fostering breakthrough technology development that can transform wheat breeding.
