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.
How collaboration can help grow and transform agriculture in Africa
Nutrition, health and food security
Money alone can’t solve Africa’s agricultural problems. International collaboration is key.
Farmers in Ethiopia willing to pay more for quality protein maize
Nutrition, health and food security
In Ethiopia, 44 percent of children under the age of five experience impaired growth due to poor nutrition. Quality protein maize helps combat stunting and boosts nutrition in children who survive on a maize-dominated diet.
End of eight-year project leaves farmers ready to tackle climate change in Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
After eight years the Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Cropping Systems for Food Security in Eastern and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) project concludes this June.
Science can reverse “new normal” of climate change-related disasters
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Building small scale mechanization capacity of service providers in Ethiopia
Capacity development
A CIMMYT project aims to increase soil fertility through direct row planting of major crops in Ethiopia, such as maize, wheat and teff.
CIMMYT promotes gender awareness in agriculture research and development in Ethiopia
Capacity development
Gender awareness and gender-sensitive approaches are slowly spreading into agricultural research, extension, and policy in Ethiopia, according to industry experts.
New Publications: Storage of maize products results in vitamin loss
Nutrition, health and food security
Screening cycle for deadly MLN virus set to begin in Kenya during April 2018
The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2018 at the begining of January 2018 and in four other intervals.
Emergency seed fuels quick farm recovery in drought-affected Ethiopia
Climate adaptation and mitigation
In response to Ethiopia’s worst drought in 50 years and a critical shortage of seed in 2016, CIMMYT and partners delivered over 3,400 tons of high quality seed to farmers.
Women are the foundation for change in rural Ethiopia
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Community conversations, a human-centered approach, puts people in charge of their own development in maize-based communities in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian farmers profit from scaled-up, fast-track production of disease resistant wheat seed
Capacity development
More than 75,000 small-scale wheat farmers in Ethiopia’s 4 major wheat-growing regions gain access to a vital asset—over 400 tons of seed of new, disease resistant wheat varieties.