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.
Growing need for food is reason for more biodiversity
Environmental health and biodiversity
A recent study in Ethiopia has concluded that encouraging biodiversity on and around agricultural land likely increases its productivity.
How gender equity and social inclusion are improving the lives of rural families in Africa
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Women have the potential to be drivers of agricultural transformation.
International Women’s Day 2019: Women in seed systems in Africa
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
These entrepreneurs are breaking social barriers while improving household nutrition and livelihoods.
Drought-tolerant hybrid seed offers farmers reprieve from hunger
Capacity development
Farmers are reaping the benefits of SAWA hybrid, an improved maize seed variety designed to withstand drought conditions.
New publications: Gender and agricultural innovation in Oromia region, Ethiopia
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Authors examine how smallholders attempt to innovate with improved wheat seed, row planting, and the broad bed maker, introduced through the Ethiopian agricultural extension system.
Policy forum in Mozambique recommends scaling sustainable agriculture practices
Capacity development
Unsustainable farming practices like monocropping are impacting soil health and reducing the productivity of farms.
The missing seed market
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
A new guidebook promotes improved seed and farming technologies for men and women, with the goal of increasing adoption rates.
New CIMMYT pre-commercial maize hybrids available from eastern and southern Africa breeding programs
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.
Women’s equality crucial for Ethiopia’s agricultural productivity
Capacity development
Source: The Reporter (16 Feb 2019)
A new report shows that gender inequality in Ethiopia is hampering efforts to reach the government’s goal of wheat self-sufficiency by 2022.
Experts analyze food systems at EAT-Lancet Commission report launch in Ethiopia
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Government officials, researchers and experts developed a list of recommendations going forward.
Smallholder wheat production can cut Africa’s costly grain imports
Nutrition, health and food security
Scientists are working to catalyze local farming and help meet the rapidly rising regional demand wheat.
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.