Africa
CIMMYT’s work in Africa helps farmers access new maize and wheat systems-based technologies, information and markets, raising incomes and enhancing crop resilience to drought and climate change. CIMMYT sets priorities in consultation with ministries of agriculture, seed companies, farming communities and other stakeholders in the maize and wheat value chains. Our activities in Africa are wide ranging and include: breeding maize for drought tolerance and low-fertility soils, and for resistance to insect pests, foliar diseases and parasitic weeds; sustainably intensifying production in maize- and wheat-based systems; and investigating opportunities to reduce micronutrient and protein malnutrition among women and young children.
Shared priorities and plans for partnership
Capacity development
Director General’s visit to Ethiopia consolidates existing partnerships and finds new opportunities for collaboration.
Govaerts delivers keynote speech to Cereals and Grains 22
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Exploring research-based solutions for the effects of climate change and food system shocks on smallholder farmers and global agrifood systems.
Opening the door to commercial fodder production
Climate adaptation and mitigation
CIMMYT is partnering with GIZ in Zambia to clear hurdles for smallholder farmers to produce fodder at a commercial level.
Two-wheel tractors transform smallholder farming communities in Masvingo
Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs
Financially-accessible mechanization options are reducing labor and providing further job opportunities for smallholders in Zimbabwe.
Kenya: Scientists team up to control fall army worms
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: Agro News (9 Nov 2022)
Scientists are working to contain the spread of fall armyworm in Kenya with naturally resistant varieties and eco-friendly solutions.
Plant health data is critical for effective policy change
Environmental health and biodiversity
Experts gathered at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum to drive forward research partnerships to curb crop loss due to pests and diseases through efficient global sharing of data.
Zambia officials promote sustainable maize cropping practices for small-scale farmers
Environmental health and biodiversity
The new farming methods can raise harvests, enrich soils, and capture and conserve moisture.
Farmers introduced to stress-tolerant hybrid maize varieties
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: Ghana Business News (2 Nov 2022)
A field day in Ghana organized by the AGG project supports farmers to adopt maize varieties with tolerance to stress.
CIMMYT project helps educate farmers in Zimbabwe on seed practices and improved varieties
Climate adaptation and mitigation
A project run by CIMMYT is giving farmers access to demos, field days and seed fairs to improve their understanding of good agronomic practices and improved seed varieties.
Kenya Lifts 10-year Ban On GM Foods, Allows Open Cultivation, Importation Of White GM Maize
Source: New Nigerian Newspaper (20 Oct 2022)
Food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations can now be imported into Kenya after the ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was lifted.
Exploring the potential for scaling nutritious cereal-based foods
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT’s agrifood systems research looks at how to better connect farmers to consumers in a sustainable way, allowing for higher benefits from farming and increased access to nutritious cereal-based food for consumers.
