CIMMYT explores how farmers, businesses and consumers shape agri-food systems in developing regions and the implications for achieving goals around poverty reduction, food security, and nutrition and health.
Our research seeks solutions to the market-related challenges that affect demand for quality seed, availability of healthy food, as well as income generation by men and women farmers.
CIMMYT researchers and partners engaged in this research theme seek evidence-based solutions to advance:
- Efficient and equitable seed systems: How can interventions better support businesses, including seed producers and seed retailers, to expand their offer of quality and affordable seed? On the demand side, what options best encourage men and women farmers to purchase and use improved maize and wheat seed? Additional topics of interest here include seed business models, availability of financial, technical and marketing services, and the role of the business and policy environment in shaping maize and wheat seed systems.
- Nutritious agri-food systems: What opportunities exist to stimulate the production and consumption of nutritious and healthy maize- and wheat-based foods? Responding to this question implies a deeper understanding of the factors that shape consumer demand of poor consumers, including taste and cultural preferences, access to information and availability of quality maize- and wheat-based foods. Also of interest are the interactions between farmers, food processors, retailers and consumers and how these determine availability and price of maize- and wheat-based foods products.
- Inclusive value chain development: How can small and medium-scale farmers increase their benefits from engagement in growing markets for maize and wheat products? Our work here explores the demand and supply of maize and wheat grain — critical information for designing strategies to promote market growth and market segmentation. From the supply side, we seek insights on how to effectively and efficiently support women and men farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in value chains for maize and wheat products in high demand and refine product profiles. We also explore policy options to support impactful value chain development at scale in the maize and wheat sectors.
This research focuses on Eastern and Southern Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.
CIMMYT engages with a range of stakeholders and partners, from small businesses and local NGOs to government agencies. We also collaborate with other CGIAR centers and CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs), including MAIZE, WHEAT, Policies, Institutions and Markets (PIM), and Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).
