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.
Participatory approaches to gender in agricultural development
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
For gender specialist Mulunesh Tsegaye participatory approaches are the best way of ensuring agricultural development projects are responsive to gender dynamics.
Kenya gives conditional approval to grow genetically-transformed maize
Nutrition, health and food security
KALRO will conduct National Performance Trials in Kenya using genetically-transformed, insect resistant maize beginning on Feb. 9.
Amidst intense drought, investment in scientific research is key
Climate adaptation and mitigation
El Niño drought-related stress is triggering hunger and food insecurity. Investment in scientific research is key to combating such events.
Thirty years of supporting maize farmers in southern Africa
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT’s Southern Africa Regional Office celebrates three decades of developing new maize varieties for farmers across the region.
Climate change’s surprising opportunity for East African maize farmers
Climate adaptation and mitigation
With the right varieties, future maize yields in East Africa’s highlands could soar as temperatures increase.
Modeling Africa’s agricultural future
Capacity development
CIMMYT held its second training workshop on “Crop Modeling under Uncertain Climate,” from 7-11 December 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Balancing economy and ecology: agriculture vs. nature
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Reconciliation of the right to develop and environmental protection must move beyond global dialogue and be put into practice.
African maize farmers get support to mitigate impact of poor soils
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
As the global community marks World Soil Day, African smallholder farmers are contending with low yields due to low-fertility soils prevalent in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa, affecting food security for 300 million people.
Of maize farmers, coming calves, waxing oxen, and comely camels
Capacity development
The gospel of ngamia. When despite drought, maize becomes a ‘source’ of farm labor and protein, with surplus sold to purchase a calf: “I got so much harvest, and yet I planted this seed very late, and with no fertilizer.”
New findings on gender gap in conservation agriculture
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Interview with Clare Stirling, co-author of a new paper, reveals almost no conservation agriculture studies consider gender and gender relations as a factor that may explain low adoption rates.
Reviewing progress and impacts of two core maize projects as they wind up work in sub-Saharan Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation