Youth Voices: My Third Week at CIMMYT!

This week we hosted the DialogueNEXT event so there was a lot to experience and do! This was a big day and a half convention where scientists, founders, researchers, politicians, and more came together to discuss food insecurities and solutions. This event took place on July 10th and 11th here at CIMMYT, who hosted the event this year. On the first day I got to listen to a lot of speakers who discussed a lot of agriculturally-related topics, including stories from farmers in other countries! All of the food from this event was also amazing, and a nice changeup from the typical cafeteria food.

On the first day I ate breakfast with a scientist that works in Mexico City, a college student here in Mexico, and a Maize breeder from here at CIMMYT. Then we listened to a few panels, the director general of CIMMYT, the Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Prize, Dr. Cary Fowler, a few farmers, and many other people. After lunch we listened to some more farmers, panels, researchers, organizations, politicians and more. The topics focused on climate change, food demand, crop development, corn and wheat, and sustainable agriculture as well as small-holder farmers. After the lectures, I went on an immersion tour that focused on making machinery more available to small holder farmers. Then I attended a reception and ate supper with different people involved at the World Food Prize Foundation. Afterwards I went out into Texcoco with a past intern to get tacos which were amazing!

The second day of the convention was only a half day. I went into the labs prior to the start of the programming to check on the germination tests and spray water on them. This morning, we listened to a few more panels, farmers, a professor from Harvard, politicians, scientists, organizations, founders, and directors from different CIMMYT programs...[CONTINUE READING]