Agriculture

Left to right: Graduate student Tiziana Smith (3rd place), junior Alexa Jaeger (1st place) and senior Kathy Dieppa (2nd place) were the three winners of the fourth annual CEE Video Competition.

From fieldwork to the big screen

Fourth annual CEE Video Competition highlights global research and opportunities.

April 24, 2017

Researchers at MIT have found that climate change may drastically increase the variability in Nile’s annual output.

Nile faces greater variability

Climate change could lead to overall increase in river flow, but more droughts and floods, study shows.

April 24, 2017

Engineers at MIT have found a way to cut the cost of solar-powered drip systems by half, by optimizing the drippers. Furthermore, these new drippers can halve the pumping power required to irrigate, lowering energy bills for farmers. Pictured is an example of a current drip system.

Watering the world

New design cuts costs, energy needs for drip irrigation, bringing the systems within reach for more farmers.

April 19, 2017

MIT scientists have found that climate change will likely worsen drought conditions in parts of Africa, dramatically reshaping the production of maize throughout sub-Saharan Africa as global temperatures rise over the next century.

Climate change to worsen drought, diminish corn yields in Africa

Over the next century, southern Africa will see widespread decreases in maize production.

March 16, 2017

Projecting food, water, energy, climate and other global changes

Marking 25 years of science and policy studies, the MIT Joint Program launches new website showcasing its expanded research portfolio.

January 27, 2017

Kevin Kung, a Tata Fellow and PhD candidate in biological engineering, feeds rice husks into the torrefaction reactor in his lab at MIT. A thermochemical process will convert the biomass to a more energy-dense form, making it easier to transport and use as fuel.

Tapping the hidden value of farm waste

MIT researchers are developing mobile torrefaction technology that can convert biomass into clean-burning fuel, unlocking potential income for farmers.

January 25, 2017

MIT grad student Maher Damak (left) and professor of chemistry Moungi Bawendi

Two from MIT honored at World Technology Awards

PhD candidate Maher Damak and Professor Moungi Bawendi recognized for advances in engineering and chemistry.

January 20, 2017

The SMAP observations are providing an unprecedented level of detailed, worldwide information on the amount of water in the top 2 inches (5 centimeters) of soil, collected globally every two to three days.

Study tracks “memory” of soil moisture

First year of data from SMAP satellite provides new insights for weather, agriculture, and climate.

January 16, 2017

C. Adam Schlosser, MIT research scientist and Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change deputy director

Modeling plausible futures

MIT research scientist C. Adam Schlosser assesses long-term risks to regional water and energy systems.

January 10, 2017

MIT student Brandon Wang interviews Lorenzo Candelaria, whose family has been tending the same farm near Albuquerque for over 300 years.

Terrascope Radio documentary wins national award

MIT students’ personal account of desert farming in New Mexico earns top honors from college broadcasting association.

December 13, 2016

Ruo-Qian Wang (left) worked with engineers at Jain Irrigation Systems in Jalgaon, India, to understand the design requirements for high-efficiency irrigation technology.

Re-engineering the sprinkler

New MIT research on the flow of water in flexible tubes could make irrigation technology more sustainable and cost-effective.

November 9, 2016

While climate change may boost crop yields in some “breadbasket” regions, extreme heat and drought linked to a changing climate are likely to increase the frequency of major crop failures. Water stress is expected to increase in most regions due to pressures from population and economic growth as well as from climate change.

Even if the Paris Agreement is implemented, food and water supplies remain at risk

Report projects impacts of 2015 Paris climate agreement, identifies emissions paths/technology advances needed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.

October 4, 2016

Partho Sengupta (center) was one of more than 30 invited guests at the Tata Center Symposium.

Tata Center Symposium seeks collaboration for a better world

October 4, 2016

A team of researchers, including graduate student Maher Damak (left) and associate professor of mechanical engineering Kripa K. Varanasi, have found a way to drastically cut down on the amount of pesticide liquid that bounces off plants.

Reducing runoff pollution by making spray droplets less bouncy

MIT researchers find a way to make pesticides stick to leaves instead of bouncing off.

August 30, 2016

An aerial view shows flooded rice fields after Typhoon Haiyan hit Iloilo Province in central Philippines.

Assessing crop damage after extreme weather

New method to track the impact of typhoons and other natural disasters could enable more precise, timely delivery of food aid.

August 10, 2016

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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