The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on genetically modified organisms (GMO Panel) has published their risk assessment of new sequencing information for genetically modified (GM) stacked cotton DAS-24236-5 × DAS-21Ø23-5. The GMO Panel has previously assessed GM cotton DAS-24236-5 × DAS-21Ø23-5 in application EFSA-GMO-NL-2005-16.

The International Food Policy Research Institute and economists from Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana analyzed the expected economic benefits from the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops in five sub-Saharan African countries. The results of their study show that substantial economic benefits are gained by both farmers and consumers from the timely adoption and planting in farmers' fields of GM crops through an efficient regulatory system.

Using CRISPR-Cas9, researchers from Texas A&M University were able to produce rice with an increased amount of resistant starch. The findings can help develop rice that is more beneficial for human health and possibly reduce the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. Resistant starch is commonly found in cereal crops. It is not easily digestible nor absorbed by the small intestine, and is passed on to the large intestine which helps make the elimination of waste more efficient.

Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) researchers discovered that the enzyme TuRLK1 is vital in stripe rust resistance of YrU1 and confers broad resistance to multiple pathogens. Their findings are reported in BMC Plant Biology. YrU1 is a protein that confers effective resistance to stripe rust fungus. YrU1 has been cloned in bread wheat, but the molecular mechanism and components causing the YrU1-controlled resistance remain unclear.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) GMO Panel released their scientific opinion on herbicide tolerant (HT) soybean A5547-127, which is applied for renewal of authorization for food and feed uses. EFSA's assessment found no evidence for new hazards. Following the submission of BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, the EFSA GMO Panel assessed the post-market environmental monitoring reports, literature on the HT soybean,

Scientists from the University of Western Australia discovered how plants control the amount of carbon from photosynthesis that they store to build biomass using a metabolic channel. This is a relatively rare plant ability that was found to break the normal rules of biochemistry and has the potential to help mitigate climate change. Scientists have dubbed the previously unknown process as “secret decisions” that plants make when releasing carbon into the atmosphere.

The Bangladesh National Technical Committee on Crop Biotechnology has given its approval for two Bt cotton varieties from Hyderabad-based company JK Agri Genetics. The approval will help cotton farmers in Bangladesh increase their yields and save pesticide costs. Cotton varieties in Bangladesh produce only 3 tonnes per hectare. Two Bt varieties that the regulators approved would yield over 4 tonnes per hectare. Aside from increased yield, farmers can also save pesticide costs against bollworms.

The main element in Chef Gil’s vegan dish is jackfruit, a truly sustainable crop. Calorie-dense and nutrient-rich, jackfruit are also known for their resilience in the face of all sorts of climatic changes. High temperatures are rarely a problem, and neither are droughts. While preparing them from a freshly harvested state can be daunting because of their size (jackfruit are the largest fruit in the world!) and their sticky interior, their texture is unique (often described as akin to pulled pork) and their versatility in the kitchen is unmatched.

This global research and development effort will help increase the productivity of mixed farming systems for more food, nutrition, and income security. The new CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming Systems (SI-MFS) was launched at an inception meeting held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 31 to June 2, 2022.

A pilot study led by ICRISAT proves that developing efficient goat value chains lead to better rewards for farmers by increasing their market knowledge and bargaining power. Amongst the many interventions, goat sale auctions fetched on average a 6% higher price than those sold through conventional market sales that often do not pay off the cost of feed. The study was for the CLIM2 project implemented in Southern Malawi, where half the country’s poor people live on farms less than one hectare.