CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE)
The CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE) is an international collaboration between more than 300 partners that seeks to mobilize global resources in maize research and development to achieve a greater strategic impact on maize-based farming systems in Africa, Latin America and South Asia.
Led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as its main CGIAR partner, MAIZE focuses on increasing maize production for the 900 million poor consumers for whom maize is a staple food in Africa, Latin America and South Asia. MAIZE’s overarching goal is to double maize productivity and increase incomes and livelihood opportunities from sustainable maize-based farming systems.
MAIZE receives funding support from CGIAR Trust Fund contributors.
MAIZE Flagship Projects (FPs) and Cluster of Activities
FP1: Enhancing MAIZE’s R4D strategy for impact
• Foresight and targeting of R4D strategies
• Learning from M&E, adoption and impacts
• Enhancing gender and social inclusiveness
• Value chain analysis
FP2: Novel diversity and tools for improving genetic gains
• Informatics, database management and decision support tools
• Development of enabling tools for germplasm improvement
• Unlocking genetic diversity through trait exploration and gene discovery
• Pre-breeding: development of germplasm resources
FP3: Stress-tolerant and nutritious maize
• Climate resilient maize with abiotic and biotic stress tolerance
• Tackling emerging trans-boundary disease/pest challenges
• Nutritional quality and end-use traits in elite genetic backgrounds
• Precision phenotyping and mechanization of breeding operations
• Seed production research and recommendations
• Stronger maize seed systems
FP4: Sustainable intensification of maize-based systems
• Multi-scale farming system framework to better integrate and enhance adoption of sustainable intensification options
• Participatory adoption and integration of technological components
• Development and field-testing of crop management technologies
• Partnership and collaborations models for scaling
A decade of world-leading maize and wheat research
Capacity development
Legacy websites and photo exhibition mark the closing of the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat, and their impact on sustainable agricultural development.
From diagnosis to action on social equity
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Building on impact of GENNOVATE, scientists recommend integrating gender-transformative research and methodologies into the new CGIAR Initiatives.
Shifting to quality protein maize diet can provide cost-benefit for the poultry feed industry in Nepal
Capacity development
Study evaluates the advantages of biofortified maize and its implications in poultry farming.
New CIMMYT maize hybrids available from Southern Africa breeding program
Innovations
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners, to scale up production for farmers in the region.
A new tool to strengthen the fight against fall armyworm in Asia
Capacity development
CIMMYT, USAID and partners announce the publication of a guide for integrated pest management of fall armyworm in Asia.
Tracing the evolution of 50 years of maize research in CGIAR
Innovations
Publication reviews the history of CGIAR maize research from 1970 to 2020.
New CIMMYT maize hybrids available from Latin America breeding program
Innovations
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.
CRP Maize Annual Report 2020
Innovations
For nearly a decade, the CGIAR Research Program on Maize has contributed to resilient, equitable and socially inclusive maize agri-food systems. 2020 proved this work to be more necessary than ever.
Waging war against the fall armyworm
Environmental health and biodiversity
CIMMYT and its partners worldwide continue to work on this complex challenge, so millions of smallholder farmers can protect their crops and feed their families.
Breaking Ground: Natalia Palacios gets the most out of maize
Nutrition, health and food security
From biofortification to cooking techniques, a CIMMYT scientist and her team test how to make this global staple as nutritious as possible.
Revisiting the inverse size-productivity relationship
Innovations
Study results suggest caution in designing agricultural policies based on evidence derived from inaccurate measurement protocols.
Investment in maize for Africa pays off
Innovations
New report quantifies the impact of 20 years of CGIAR-led maize improvement for Africa.
What is nixtamalization?
Nutrition, health and food security
Water, heat and lime transform grain in a traditional Central American maize processing method.
A knowledge revolution
Innovations
CIMMYT researchers present new knowledge management framework for agri-food innovation systems.
Bill Gates highlights CIMMYT’s innovation in latest climate book
Climate adaptation and mitigation
One of CIMMYT and CGIAR’s biggest supporters, he sets out on a virtual book tour to spark collaborative action toward avoiding a climate disaster and calls for innovations in almost everything that we do.
