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.
Scaling to new heights in agriculture
Capacity development
Projects are looking at scaling strategies to go beyond the numbers reached within a project and include sustainability and transformation.
Call for nominees for the 2019 Maize Youth Innovators Awards – Africa
Capacity development
Open to young women and men below 35 years of age who are implementing innovations in African maize-based agri-food systems.
Seeds go digital
Innovations
Faster and better-quality certification, a game-changer for African farmers?
The itsy bitsy spider can make a big impact in agriculture
Environmental health and biodiversity
A new study explores how conservation agriculture in southern Africa supports spider populations and diversity, which could help mitigate pest damage.
Reducing high yield gaps with decision-support apps
Innovations
Trials of the Nutrient Expert app showed improved yields, fertilizer-use efficiency and increased profits for farmers.
International Maize Improvement Consortium for Africa ramps up seed innovations
Capacity development
CIMMYT launched the consortiumin May 2018, to better engage with a committed set of partners and to achieve enhanced maize yields in Africa.
CIMMYT celebrates AWARD’s ten years empowering African women in agricultural research
Capacity development
The AWARD program advocates for a more gender-responsive agricultural research ecosystem.
Cobs & Spikes podcast: Hello Tractor and agricultural innovation
Innovations
Dubbed the “Uber for the farm”, Hello Tractor’s app easily allows tractor owners to rent their machinery to farmers and to improve business and operations.
With multi-sector support for climate-sensitive practices, African farmers can boost food security and resilience
Nutrition, health and food security
Conservation agriculture has potential to conserve soils, improve yields and limit environmental impacts.
Screening cycle for deadly MLN virus set to begin in Kenya during 2019
Nutrition, health and food security
The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya, will begin its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2019 at the beginning of January 2019 and in other four intervals throughout the year. Interested organizations from both the private and public sectors are invited to send maize germplasm for screening.
A wheat self-sufficiency roadmap for Ethiopia’s future
Nutrition, health and food security
Mechanization could boost Ethiopian wheat production and provide youth with new job opportunities.
Q&A: Expanding CIMMYT’s research agenda on markets and business
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT economist Jason Donovan discusses the role of seed companies and food markets.
CIMMYT laments the passing of Theodore Assimwe, Rwandan research pillar
He was a pillar of the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), with a well-recognized research track record in maize, cassava, and sweet potato.
CIMMYT trains early career scientists on wheat rust diagnosis and management
Capacity development
More than 200 scientists have increased their capacity at these annual trainings since CIMMYT started organizing them ten years ago.
