MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

With over 40 million already infected, the AIDS pandemic is hitting rural areas hard and diminishing agricultural prospects in low-income countries. The disease fells people in their most productive years, including rural residents with farming skills. Individuals infected with the virus require 50 percent more protein and 15 percent more calories than healthy individuals. Research shows that undernourished people living with the virus get full-blown AIDS more quickly than others.

Malaria is most prevalent in poor countries, killing as many as 3 million people each year, including more than 1 million African children.

Research Results:

 -- The CGIAR’s Systemwide Initiative on Malaria and Agriculture is improving cropping practices and irrigation techniques to reduce water stagnation and so prevent disease-carrying mosquitoes from breeding.

-- New, high-yielding rice varieties and diversification of crop-production practices are helping to combat malaria.

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