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.
CRAFT tool helps Ethiopian experts predict crop yields to improve early warning decisions
Innovations
CIMMYT trains Ethiopian national partners in crop monitoring and yield forecasting as part of AICCRA’s effort to improve climate information services.
In Ethiopia, local challenges inform national action for climate-smart agriculture
Climate adaptation and mitigation
There is no universal model for successfully delivering climate-smart agriculture. But the AICCRA experience in Ethiopia shows how engaging changemakers can reveal effective, inclusive, and localized ways to make farming communities more resilient to climate change.
More than machines
Innovations
In collaboration with GIZ, CIMMYT’s Scaling Scan is helping Green Innovation Centers in Africa address the sustainability problem.
Pilot of new wheat variety improves yield for farmers in Ethiopia
Capacity development
Farmers in Ethiopia’s lowlands trialed usage of the Kingbird wheat variety, with promising results for improved yield and increased income.
Addressing the Global Food Crisis: CIMMYT Experts Weigh In
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Wilson Center (29 Jul 2022)
On the episode, ECSP Director Lauren Risi and ECSP Advisor Sharon Burke speak with Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT and his colleague Kai Sonder, head of CIMMYT’s Geographic Information System Unit, about how to address the unfolding food crisis as we simultaneously build food system resilience in the medium and long term.
Can digital agricultural services boost Ethiopia’s durum wheat production?
Capacity development
Value chain stakeholders united to review the status of durum wheat production and marketing in Ethiopia and the prospective role of digital agricultural services.
Novel technology to reduce the complexity of maize seed production and increase maize hybrid yields in farmer’s fields
Capacity development
Collaborative field evaluations reveal promising results for sub-Saharan Africa’s low input maize farming systems and commercial seed production.
Exploring the potential for blended wheat flours in Kenya
Climate adaptation and mitigation
CIMMYT supports practical solutions to the ongoing global wheat crisis by understanding consumer acceptance of foods baked from blended wheat flour.
Ecological farming a boon for staple crop farmers in Africa, new study finds
Environmental health and biodiversity
Cropping diversity, soil-enriching crops, and adding organic material to soils can boost food-crop yields for farmers who can’t apply fertilizer.
Essential actions to mitigate the food crisis, stabilize supply and transition to greater agrifood system resilience
Nutrition, health and food security
Experts propose short-, medium- and long-term practical actions to respond to the looming global food crisis catalyzed by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Soil scientists and stakeholders reflect on progress and impacts of CIMMYT-Rwanda partnership for soil health
Environmental health and biodiversity
“Strong partnership” highlighted as CIMMYT and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board review progress in managing acid soil.
Galvanized leaf storage proteins serve as a nutrient lifeline for maize under drought, recent study says
Climate adaptation and mitigation
A team of researchers activates vegetative storage proteins in maize leaves, to stockpile nitrogen reserves for release when plants are hit by drought.
Remembering Ephrame Havazvidi
Nutrition, health and food security
Ephrame Havazvidi served on the WHEAT Independent Steering Committee from 2015-2021 and was a prominent plant breeder and crop expert.
2022 Excellence in International Service Award
Environmental health and biodiversity
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to plant pathology by APS members for countries other than their own. Contributions may have been made through collaborative projects, sabbaticals, short- and long-term assignments with educational or governmental agencies, including, but not limited to, international centers and research institutes.