A Reason to Be the Best

MEETING THE UNITED NATIONS FIRST MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL—TO ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER—WILL DEPEND ON A RANGE OF ACTIONS IN AREAS WHERE POVERTY IS ENDEMIC AND CRIPPLING.

Most people in the developing world depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. Maize and wheat alone provide nearly half the food by weight and a quarter of the calories for the 4.9 billion people of the developing world. In much of Africa the land—which has to produce the food, sustain the farming systems for production, and nurture the crops that farmers grow—cannot keep up with demand, even when conditions of climate and politics are stable. More than half a billion people depend on wheat or maize but have little or no access to agricultural inputs, farm on degraded soils, or have to make do in marginal climates.

With a continuously growing population, less good land for agriculture, and climate and water constraints that seem to grow more severe each year, yesterday’s solutions are not sufficient for today. In this annual report for 2004-2005 we focus on one of the most severe constraints to production in wheat and maize farming systems— drought—and the approaches CIMMYT is taking to help farmers cope. A major priority is finding ways that maize and wheat can continue to produce high, stable yields with less available water. We are working both at the breeding level to develop plants that use water more efficiently and at the plot level to help farmers to conserve and better use what moisture they have. In the reports that follow, you will find accounts of progress by CIMMYT and its partners. For example CIMMYT has devised a “smart crossing” approach to produce wheat varieties with better drought tolerance, and uses a decentralized global shuttle breeding system—an extension of its time proven method in Mexico—to test and adapt drought tolerant varieties to diverse conditions around the world. Another trend to note is the adoption of conservation agriculture practices that save farmers soil, water, money, and time, in addition to bringing environmental benefits. This is global science for local impact.

FROM VISION TO BUSINESS PLAN

This year CIMMYT has continued to implement its strategic vision while pursuing a sound financial management plan that includes building the reserve fund to meet CGIAR targets. Despite severe
financial constraints that have resulted in downsizing of internationally and nationally recruited staff the past three years, CIMMYT has continued to deliver to its prime beneficiaries—maize and wheat farmers and consumers in the developing world.

CIMMYT’s fifth External Program and Management Review (EPMR) produced a detailed, comprehensive report concluding that “…the case for the continued support of CIMMYT in developing germplasm with multiple stress resistance specifically targeted at resource poor farmers was strong and clear. Such improved germplasm that was not only accessible to resource poor farmers but specifically targeted to their needs was essential if they were to benefit from the ongoing scientific advances in genetics, genomics, and breeding.” The Center has already begun to address weaknesses identified in the EPMR. A key recommendation of the panel, and one which CIMMYT wholeheartedly endorsed, was that the center write a business plan to indicate how the vision described in our strategic plan “Seeds of Innovation” would actually be delivered. CIMMYT took the
challenge and has produced “A Solid Future for CIMMYT and Those It Serves,” a plan to guide
CIMMYT over the next five years.

CIMMYT: THE DEVELOPING WORLD’S MAIZE AND WHEAT CENTER

Agricultural research has achieved what looked like miracles in the past, developing ways to enhance
the productivity of farming systems in both the developed and the less developed world. CIMMYT was built on the accomplishments of the researchers who created the “green revolution” of the 1960s. The highyielding wheat varieties developed by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Norman Borlaug, in Mexico and delivered to India and Pakistan, brought the Indian Subcontinent food self-sufficiency at a time when it was facing mass famine.

Three lessons from the time of the green revolution stand out for policymakers in all countries, rich or poor. First, agricultural research is a fundamental building block for progress in food production and global food security. Second, rapid transmission to farmers of advances from the research labs and experimental fields depends on the effective functioning of many actors along the “research impact pathway,” from researchers and policymakers to farmers. Third, the farmer is king: in the end, the decisions of millions or hundreds of millions of farmers across the world determine whether the new varieties and technologies are adopted, impacts registered and, in the end, poverty reduced and livelihoods improved.

CIMMYT will continue to deliver solutions through enhanced germplasm, efficient delivery pathways to adoption, and partnerships with those who have complementary strengths and skills. We are the developing world’s maize and wheat center. The marginalized of the developing world deserve no less than our best.

Masa Iwanaga
Director General