G20 discussions on Wheat Initiative continue apace

The Wheat Initiative (WI) stands out as one of the most coordinated projects, conceived to address the challenge of future food security around the world. It was established in 2011.

It is the ‘brain child’ of the G20, an intergovernmental forum, representing 19 countries and the European Union (EU).

The past few days have seen John Spink, head of Teagasc’s head of Crops, Environment and Land Use Programme, participating in a meeting of G20 chief agricultural scientists in India.

Spink was there in his capacity as chair of the Wheat Initiative’s Institutions’ Coordination Committee.

According to Spink, Ireland is playing a key role in helping to deliver the objectives established for the initiative.

He explained to Agriland: “WI is allowing research scientists and agronomists from around the world to exchange ideas where wheat-focused technologies are concerned.

“This includes the identification of new genetic material and the development of evolving crop management systems.

“The work of Teagasc’s Dr. Steven Kildea in developing new integrated pest management control systems as a disease control option for wheat crops is a case in point.

“The sharing of information across the WI’s global network is helping to maximise the research and development effort that can be brought to bear on this crucially important issue at an international level.”

So the question arises as to why the G2O has singled out wheat in this way.

Ireland is playing a key role in developing the overall WI project. In addition to John Spink, Prof. Fiona Doohan, from University College Dublin (UCD), sits on the project’s scientific board.

Tags: EU, European Union, crop, food security, G20, Wheat Initiative