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.
A sense of belonging: fostering gender equality and social inclusion in agricultural research
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
As CIMMYT strives towards ensuring all employees can reach their full potential at work, establishing equal access to opportunities is at the forefront of efforts to achieve parity.
Unanswered questions and unquestioned answers
Environmental health and biodiversity
Crop residue and weed control in southern Africa
Sustaining Conservation Agriculture initiatives: lessons from Malawi
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Conservation Agriculture offers sustainable solutions for Malawi’s agriculture. Prioritizing farmer-centered approaches can drive widespread adoption, ensuring food security and climate resilience.
Stakeholders call for a holistic approach to managing Kenya’s dryland crop seed system
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Farmers Trend ()
The February 2024 Kenya Drylands Crop Seed Systems Workshop focused on enhancing seed systems for agricultural productivity in Kenya’s semi-arid regions.
Collaboration across the seed system value chain
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Stakeholders call for a holistic approach to managing Kenya’s dryland crop seed system for sustainability and food security.
Nevada Researcher Aims to Improve Sorghum Hybrids for Dairy Cattle Feed
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Alliance Grain Co. ()
Melinda Yerka’s collaboration with CIMMYT on sorghum breeding marks a strategic move towards sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Sow, grow, and thrive: a pathway to improve cassava farming in Zambia
Climate adaptation and mitigation
SIFAZ is shifting farmer mindsets towards promoting sustainable practices that not only improve cassava yields but minimize physical labor.
New technologies to mitigate impact of drought
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: The Herald ()
CIMMYT aims to improve food security and resilience against climate change through climate-smart agriculture and innovative partnerships.
Revolutionizing food security: Africa’s millet renaissance
Climate adaptation and mitigation
With the right mix of policy support, technological innovation, and market development, millets have the potential to become the cornerstone of Africa’s resilient and sustainable agricultural future.
A tale of two worlds: contrasting realities in southern and northern Zambia during El Niño
Climate adaptation and mitigation
El Niño has contributed to starkly different weather patterns in northern and southern Zambia. On World Water Day 2024, this piece navigates the complex challenge of mitigating water abundancy and scarcity through different agricultural practices that support livelihoods and food security.
Bargaining for Better: How gender roles in household decision-making can impact crop disease resilience
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
A study by CIMMYT found a positive association between women’s role in household decisions concerning crop production and the adoption and turnover of rust-resistant wheat varieties.
How Kenya’s plant breeding stations are investing in women in science
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Source: Farmers Review Africa ()
CIMMYT, with CGIAR, boosts gender equality in agricultural research, enriching plant breeding with diverse insights and innovation.
Network develops optimized breeding pipelines for accelerated genetic gains in dryland crops
Capacity development
The Africa Dryland Crop Improvement Network (ADCIN), NARES, and CGIAR scientists in Africa optimized quantitative genetic criteria for breeding programs and breeding strategies and pipelines for chickpea, pigeon pea, groundnut, sorghum, pearl-millet, and finger millet crops.