Crop Chronicles
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.
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
