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.
CIMMYT and CGIAR staff join Ethiopia’s record-breaking tree-planting campaign
Climate adaptation and mitigation
People across the country planted more than 350 million trees in a day to fight deforestation and climate change.
Strengthening wheat production in Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Sci Dev Net (31 Jul 2019)
CIMMYT scientists stress the importance of increasing wheat yield and tolerance to drought for a food secure Africa.
Scientist Bekele Abeyo details research in Africa with BBC
Nutrition, health and food security
In an interview for BBC Newsday, Abeyo explained African countries’ potential to boost wheat production, and how CIMMYT is helping.
What farmers want
Innovations
In demonstration plots in Kenya, smallholder farmers evaluate and rank maize varieties according to their preferred traits — a feedback that is crucial to CIMMYT’s maize breeding work.
Breaking Ground: Munyaradzi Mutenje tailors innovations to farmers needs
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Mutenje opens dialogue with farmers to design new interventions that target farmers’ needs and achieve positive impact.
Ethiopian farmers weatherproof their livelihoods
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Farmers boost their climate resilience and make money as they phase out a 25-year-old maize variety and replace it with drought-tolerant BH661 seeds.
Bill Gates highlights impact of CIMMYT’s drought-tolerant maize
Climate adaptation and mitigation
In a blog post and video, Gates highlights the “essential” role of CIMMYT and other CGIAR research centers in “feeding our future.”
Women and youth find profitable business pathways through small-scale mechanization
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
FACASI project explored ways to address access to appropriate mechanization solutions.
Consolidating gains made and options that address fall armyworm
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Kenya News Agency (27 Jun 2019)
CIMMYT’s Stephen Mugo suggests early planting, intercropping and other methods.
Honoring the life and legacy of Fred Palmer
Capacity development
Palmer made key contributions in applied science to fight hunger and improve livelihoods in the 20th Century.
Are high land rental costs pricing African youth out of agriculture?
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Rural land grows scarce as populations rise and more youth farm for their livelihoods.
Seeds of progress
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
In a male-dominated sector, women leading maize seed companies in eastern and southern Africa share their experiences.
Seeds of progress – In a male-dominated sector, women leading maize seed companies in eastern and southern Africa share their experiences
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Source: Seed Quest (20 Jun 2019)
CIMMYT researchers conducted interviews with women owners of seed companies in eastern and southern Africa.