a global research effort - the wheat initiative
TRANSCRIPT
Presentation of the Wheat Initiative and of its Strategic
Research Agenda
Wheat for the FutureHélène Lucas & Peter Langridge, June 3, 2015
Overview
1. Rationale, organisation and governance2. Activities and first achievements3. Development of a Strategic Research Agenda
1. Rationale, ORGANISATION AND GOVERNANCE
An international partnership for wheat improvement research
• A framework to identify synergies and facilitate collaborations for wheat improvement at the international level
• Created in 2011 following endorsement by G20 Agriculture Ministries to improve food security
• Vision: a vibrant global wheat research community sharing resources, capabilities, data and ideas to improve wheat land productivity, quality and sustainable production
• Mission: develop a global Strategic Research Agenda and support its implementation through coordinated actions, knowledge and resource sharing and efficient investment
Wheat Initiative Vision and Mission
16 countries, 9 private companies, 2 CGIAR Centres
All countries and companies welcome!
Facilitating delivery by leveraging synergies and collaborations
Expert Working Groups
Established
• Wheat Information System• Genetics and Genomics of
Durum Wheat • Wheat Breeding Methods
and Strategies • Wheat Phenotyping to
Support Wheat Improvement
• Wheat Plant and Crop Modelling
Newly approved• Control of wheat pathogens
and pests• Adaptation of wheat to abiotic
stress• Genetic resources• Nutrient use efficiency• Quality and safety
Under development • Agronomy
The Wheat Initiative is• A science-led initiative• A way to bridge national and
international programmes• A mechanism for the wheat
community to identify gaps, and to define and update research priorities
• An information platform for institutions to establish investment priorities
• An opportunity for public & private funders to support international programmes
• Self-funded through members
The Wheat Initiative is• Not a research programme• Not competing with existing
national or international initiatives • Not a funding entity
The Wheat Initiative in summary
Raising the profile of wheat and working together to add value for all
FarmersIndustry
Consumers
FarmersIndustry
Consumers
International consortia
National research programs
WHEAT CRP
Research programmes
NARS
Extension Services
delivering
Delivery of research outcomes
Research providers
ARIs
NARS
Universities
Etc.Etc.
CGIAR
National funding agencies
International funding agencies
Foundations
Aid agencies
Funders
Private Sector
2. activities and first achievements
Increasing communications in the wheat community
• Website– New website launched March
2015• Newsletter– Quarterly newsletter (update on
Governance, Activities and more)• Media Brief– RSS feed on new website
• Wheat research database– To be developed in 2015
Facilitating access to wheat scientific data
Wheat Information System (http://wheatis.org/)
• Bioinformatics experts from 7 countries & CIMMYT working together to develop the WheatIS
Supporting the completion of the reference wheat genome sequence• Additional funds raised in several member
countries and companies through joint efforts
Raising the awareness of the importance of yield increase
• Launch of the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP) in 2014
• 2 calls for proposals in 2015
Additional actions planned for 2015-2016
• Delivery of a Strategic Research Agenda• Setting up coordination/transnational funding
mechanisms• Launch 1-2 additional major international
research programmes on priority topics by the end of 2016
• Coordination program in wheat education and training
3 Development of a Strategic Research agenda
From an international vision…
… to a Strategic Research Agenda
1- Increase wheat yield potential1- Increase wheat yield potential
2- Protect yield• Controlling wheat diseases and pests• Improving wheat tolerance to abiotic stress
2- Protect yield• Controlling wheat diseases and pests• Improving wheat tolerance to abiotic stress
3- Protect the environment and increase the sustainability of wheat production systems
• Nutrient use efficiency• Agronomy and crop management
3- Protect the environment and increase the sustainability of wheat production systems
• Nutrient use efficiency• Agronomy and crop management
4- Ensuring the supply of high quality, safe wheat products4- Ensuring the supply of high quality, safe wheat products
BGRIBGRI
IWYPIWYP
IWGSCIWGSC
WHEAT CRP
WHEAT CRP
Game changers Fully assembled wheat genome
sequence Open access to international
data on wheat New breeding technologies Any many more
The Challenges Increasing wheat yield potential Protecting wheat from yield losses due to
pests and disease Maintaining yield under highly variable
environmental conditions Nutrient use efficiency Close the farm yield gap and adapt to new
production systems and regulations Produce safe and nutritious wheat with
adequate end-use quality in an unstable climate
The Challenges Building the resources and
capabilities to support cutting-edge research, breeding and agronomy in wheat
Exchanging knowledge between wheat researchers globally and building capacity
Aspirations Yield potential up by 50% in 2040 Durable resistance to most major
pests and diseases Adapted to diverse environmental
conditions Increased nutrient use efficiency –
N use to over 60% Highly stable production systems
that deliver attainable yield goals and quality
Safe, nutritious and healthy wheat grains
Aspirations Wheat the preferred research target through freely
available technology, germplasm and resources
A well-connected public-private community of wheat researchers sharing knowledge and information throughout the world
A broad understanding of wheat in addressing the challenges of facing global wheat production
Research Needs
Priorities
Actions
SRA delivery calendar Draft prepared by SB, RC and EWGs in 2014 Broad consultation (January-April 2015)
Country members: Organised by ICC members, all wheat stakeholders consulted
Private members Consulted through their RC representatives
Others Consultation via Wheat Initiative website
Revision of the SRA (May 2015) Launch
Presentation at EXPO 2015 (Milan) June 3rd
Official launch at G20-MACS, July (Turkey)
Many challenges but many solutions
Challenges?
