Capacity development
CIMMYT training courses play a critical role in helping international researchers meet national food security and resource conservation goals. By sharing knowledge to build communities of agricultural knowledge in less developed countries, CIMMYT empowers researchers to aid farmers. In turn, these farmers help ensure sustainable food security. In contrast to formal academic training in plant breeding and agronomy, CIMMYT training activities are hands-on and highly specialized. Trainees from Africa, Asia and Latin America benefit from the data assembled and handled in a global research program. Alumni of CIMMYT courses often become a significant force for agricultural change in their countries.
Capacitating farmers and development agents through radio
Capacity developmentCIMMYT partnered with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)-EA, and Fana Broadcasting Corporate to deliver seasonal and operational agroclimate and COVID-19 advisories for farmers to support farm decisions.
The transformative value of maize
Capacity developmentIn India’s state of Odisha, maize farming is lifting up the socioeconomic status of women.
Scientist boosted global wheat yield with disease-resistant varieties
Capacity developmentSource: The Sydney Morning Herald (3 Mar 2021)
Sanjaya Rajaram, a world-renowned wheat breeder and scientist recognized with the World Food Prize, died on February 17 from COVID-19 in Ciudad Obregon, Mexico.
Breeders take quantum leap
Capacity developmentMolecular breeding experts learn about state-of-the-art data analysis and visualization tools at Wheat Initiative workshops.
Costich retires, but her odyssey continues
Capacity developmentThe head of the Maize Germplasm Bank, who retired in September, modernized the bank’s data curation and promoted outreach to maize landrace farming communities in the Americas.
$21m USAID project to boost agriculture mechanisation
Capacity developmentSource: The Daily Star (11 Feb 2021)
USAID has started the implementation of a $21.4 million project led by CIMMYT and partners to support the mechanization of agriculture in Bangladesh.
CIMMYT scientist Ravi Singh receives prestigious award from the Government of India
Capacity developmentThe Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honor conferred by the Government of India to non-resident Indians.
CIMMYT working to create climate-resilient wheat
Capacity developmentSource: World Grain (12 Jan 2021)
CIMMYT was awarded a $5 million grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to develop climate-resilient wheat.
An aspiration for entrepreneurship
Capacity developmentCSISA initiatives support smallholder farmers in India to become successful entrepreneurs.
Crop variety guide for farmers
Capacity developmentNew manual supports informed choices for climate resilience in Zimbabwe.
Improved metrics for better decisions
Capacity developmentNational breeding programs prepped to measure – and boost – genetic gains.
“Let there be food to eat”
Capacity developmentLongtime CIMMYT collaborator Ruth Wanyera nears retirement from an honorable and decorated career in wheat research.
Building networks and capacity
Capacity developmentAGG partners meet to launch regional networks for eastern and southern Africa and assess capacity development needs.
Money-making machines
Capacity developmentSmall-mechanization pilot initiative signs up 15 service providers to boost incomes and resilience through a lease-to-own business model in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.