Biotech Updates

New Website to Support Wheat Research

June 22, 2012

A new website to support wheat research has been recently launched by the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) and CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre) to contribute to the coordination of activities of the Wheat Initiative. It aims to be an information resource for worldwide research programs and contribute to food security globally.

The Wheat Initiative coordinates research to produce improved wheat varieties, disseminate better agronomic practices worldwide, and to help farmers to stably produce more and better wheat in diverse production environments.

Steve Visscher, BBSRC Deputy Chief Executive, said, "There is a worldwide need to increase wheat yield and improve tolerance to stresses, diseases and pests. Coordinated research can also help us to improve the efficiency of farming inputs for more sustainable wheat production. The Wheat Initiative will help to combat this grand challenge by exchanging knowledge, identifying synergies and encouraging collaborations among major wheat research programs."

View the website at http://www.wheatinitiative.org. Details of the news can be seen at http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/food-security/2012/120618-n-new-website-to-support-wheat-research.aspx.