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.
Bringing wild wheat’s untapped diversity into elite lines
Environmental health and biodiversity
Researchers hypothesized that many wild wheat accessions in genebanks feature useful traits that can help diversify breeding programs.
A new vision of making profits drives mechanization service providers in Zimbabwe
Innovations
Service providers offering mechanized services in Masvingo District, southern Zimbabwe realize quick gains in early months of the pilot.
Is a pluralistic seeds system a pathway to seed security in Ethiopia?
Nutrition, health and food security
Efforts to support inclusive and equitable access to seeds by farmers should recognize the different seed systems and the complementarity of formal and informal seed systems.
Decomposing maize yield gaps to better inform policy and public investments
Capacity development
Scientists from Wageningen University and CIMMYT documents the magnitude, patterns, and drivers of yield gaps in sub-Saharan Africa.
Workshop introduces new wheat farmer support project in Ethiopia
Capacity development
The ADAPT-Wheat initiative will help small and medium-size wheat farmers in Ethiopia’s Awash Valley through pilot technologies and farming practices.
Adaptation, Demonstration and Piloting of Wheat Technologies for Irrigated Lowlands of Ethiopia (ADAPT-Wheat)
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Ravi Singh earns Lifetime Achievement award from BGRI
Environmental health and biodiversity
Renowned CIMMYT plant breeder recognized for elite wheat varieties that reduced the risk of a global pandemic and now feed hundreds of millions of people around the world.
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.
FG authorizes deregulation of TELA maize in Nigeria
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: The Guardian Nigeria (10 Oct 2021)
Nigeria’s National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has approved the commercialization of TELA Maize seeds—a drought-tolerant and insect-protected variety aimed at enhancing food security in sub-Saharan Africa.
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.
Mechanization takes off
Capacity development
Successful establishment of an agricultural machinery workshop in Meki signals a boost for private sector-driven mechanization in Ethiopia.
