seed systems
Supporting the growth of local maize seed industries: Lessons from Mexico
Capacity development
Small local seed businesses are considered key to getting new maize hybrids into farmers’ hands and, ultimately, to meeting global food security goals. MasAgro, a partnership between CIMMYT and Mexico’s Department of Agriculture, offers key insights into what has worked and some major challenges that remain.
New direction in research for advancing gender-responsive maize breeding
Capacity development
Research on gender and maize looks to move beyond trait preferences at seed demand more broadly.
New research highlights opportunities to deepen engagement with private sector for increasing impact from cereal breeding
Capacity development
Contributions reflect the breadth of perspectives and expertise within CGIAR and beyond, calling for more demand-oriented variety development and seed delivery.
Is a pluralistic seeds system a pathway to seed security in Ethiopia?
Nutrition, health and food security
Efforts to support inclusive and equitable access to seeds by farmers should recognize the different seed systems and the complementarity of formal and informal seed systems.
Adaptation, Demonstration and Piloting of Wheat Technologies for Irrigated Lowlands of Ethiopia (ADAPT-Wheat)
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Seed giants must collaborate or be dwarfed by threat of climate change
Climate adaptation and mitigation
New funding models, such as public-private partnerships, can collectively address knowledge gaps to avoid potential catastrophes for society at large.
When it comes to maize variety choices, can farmers have it all?
Varietal trait prioritization is important for balancing commercial realities and farmers’ diverse interests.
Buying into new seed
Climate adaptation and mitigation
A mock shop helps researchers understand how Kenyan farmers choose maize seed when their preferred varieties are out of stock.
Out with the old, in with the new
Innovations
CIMMYT’s tried and tested approaches in varietal turnover and decades of experience in strengthening maize and wheat seed systems have a lot to contribute to CGIAR’s plan of building robust food systems by 2030.
Breaking Ground: Dyutiman Choudhary builds strong agribusinesses for sustainable economic growth
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT market development specialist works to strengthen the seed and fertilizer market systems and value chains in Nepal.
Power of data: To enhance food security
Innovations
Source: The Himalayan Times (6 Nov 2020)
CIMMYT and Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development developed a digitally enabled seed information system so farmers have timely access to quality seed.
Starting with a seed
Capacity development
Inclusive seed business model empowers women from marginalized communities in Nepal.
Lessons for gender in seed systems
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Workshop participants exchange ideas on expanding opportunities for women in the seed sector.
Ethiopian wheat farmers adopt quality seed and a vision for a more profitable future
Nutrition, health and food security
Publication analyzes success factors of Wheat Seed Scaling project, which has benefited more than 131,000 rural households in Ethiopia.
In the best possible taste
Nutrition, health and food security
Researchers in Kenya and Uganda are incorporating sensory preferences like taste, smell or texture into maize breeding.