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.
Wheat cultivation in Africa at risk of fungal disease
Innovations
Source: The Herald ()
A study warns that the wheat blast fungus could threaten 75% of Africa’s wheat, with CIMMYT aiding in mitigation efforts.
Quality seeds reduce hunger in Tanzanian schools
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Sorghum seeds that deliver improved yields are increasing food security for students and communities, with school farms playing a vital role in raising awareness of innovative varieties.
Building global capacity to combat wheat blast
Capacity development
In collaboration with ZARI and other partners, CIMMYT brought together wheat scientists, researchers, academics, policymakers, and extension agents to address the urgent threat of wheat blast across borders.
Rekindling and revitalizing chicken farming in Zambia
Capacity development
AIDI-L, a two-year project, aims to help 15,000 small scale poultry-keeping households. The project holds promise to revitalize chicken farming in Zambia.
Sudan: Catastrophic hunger amid conflict creates a crisis of instability across northeast Africa
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
CGIAR calls for a coordinated, global response to support the transformation of agrifood systems in Sudan.
Transforming Agriculture Together: Insights from the Ukama Ustawi Share Fair
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: CGIAR ()
CIMMYT showcased sustainable agriculture at the Ukama Ustawi Share Fair to enhance resilience and farmer livelihoods.
New heat-tolerant wheat varieties prove fruitful for Ethiopia’s irrigated lowlands
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The release of new lines by the ADAPT-Wheat project will expand Ethiopia’s total farming area and wheat production by opening up lowland farming opportunities.
Ethiopian researchers travel to India to strengthen knowledge regarding increasing wheat productivity
Capacity development
As part of ADAPT-Wheat, four scientists exposed to the latest technologies, methods, and equipment.
Cultivating healthier communities with provitamin A maize varieties
Nutrition, health and food security
A CIMMYT-led study highlights how provitamin A maize could make a real difference in vitamin A intake of smallholder farmers in rural areas of Zimbabwe.
Unlocking genetic innovations through collaborative pathways
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The International Maize Improvement Consortium for Africa field day in Harare enabled CIMMYT to showcase genetically diverse maize lines, have structured dialogues with diverse stakeholders, and review and refine breeding strategies and approaches.
Over 5,000 Busia farmers to benefit from Kalro certified millet seed
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: The Star ()
It’s time to scale: Emerging lessons from decades of Conservation Agriculture research in Southern Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
ACASA’s research yields not just data but seeds of hope, foreseeing a transformative future in CA adoption, shaping African agriculture and beyond.
Malawi faces a food crisis: why plans to avert hunger aren’t realistic and what can be done
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: EconoTimes ()
CIMMYT experts, including Mazvita Chiduwa, stress that importing food is the only solution to prevent hunger in Malawi due to severe drought.
Regional network to scale impact of dryland crops in sub-Saharan Africa
Capacity development
ADCIN represents a leap forward in African agricultural cooperation, addressing dryland crop challenges through tailored projects for maximum impact.