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.
Breaking Ground: Aparna Das leads efficient and demand-driven maize research
Nutrition, health and food security
Technical coordination between research and development partners is key to breed maize varieties that respond to the diverse needs of small farmers.
Equal and climate-smart
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Women in Malawi are inspiring the next generation of smallholder farmers to adopt climate-smart technologies.
Four ways of strengthening gender equality in the agricultural sector in the MENA region
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Experts note that policies alone are not enough — they need to go hand in hand with strong initiatives to make agriculture a safer, more equal and respectful space for both women and men.
Spraying locusts before they can fly key for effective control
Stephen Njoka and Hugo de Groote share insights on the current locust invasion, effective control measures and how we can prepare for future outbreaks.
New publication: Scaling agricultural mechanization services in smallholder farming systems
Innovations
Study shows service provider models in Africa, Latin America and South Asia increase smallholder access to agricultural machinery, but can remain dependent on projects to tackle major bottlenecks for scaling.
Biofortified Crop Project Reaches Refugees in Zambia
Capacity development
Source: Inter Press Service (27 Feb 2020)
Refugees receive technical assistance, nutrition education and training on growing biofortified maize.
‘Sharing’ or ‘sparing’ land?
Environmental health and biodiversity
How can we feed more people while protecting nature and biodiversity?
Leasing scheme helps farmers purchase small-scale agricultural machinery
Innovations
The initiative increases agricultural productivity and enhances food security in Ethiopia.
Vast Locust Swarm Casts Shadow Over East African Food Security
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Bloomberg (25 Jan 2020)
CIMMYT agricultural economist Hugo De Groote notes need to monitor locusts to ensure swarms don’t threaten crops.
Study calls for better understanding of fertilizer prices faced by African smallholder farmers
Innovations
Scientists use spatial price prediction models to estimate local prices that might be more relevant than the national average.
Making seed systems work for men and women
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Seed systems play a major role in Africa’s agricultural transformation — but are they gender-friendly?