Mexico launches special CIMMYT research fund in Borlaug's honor

In an august and simple ceremony at the offices of the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) on 09 October 2009, Minister Francisco Mayorga Castañeda paid distinctive homage to hunger fighter and former CIMMYT wheat breeder, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, signing with CIMMYT director general Thomas A. Lumpkin an agreement for a special "Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Research Fund." Intended to support applied agricultural research and technology transfer projects, the Fund is being launched with a USD 1 million contribution from Mexico.

Mayorga Castañeda said that Borlaug always gave special credit to the people and farmers of Yaqui Valley, state of Sonora, Mexico, and that Borlaug cited this location, where he worked with a team of Mexican researchers to develop high-yielding, disease resistant semidwarf wheats, as the cradle of the Green Revolution. "We will always recognize the Titanic labor of a man who, above all, sought to promote peace by ensuring food for all mankind," said Mayorga Castañeda.

"This fund represents a first step toward Mexico returning to the leading role it played in the 1960s," said Lumpkin, "when it made valuable contributions to fighting the hunger that affected millions on our planet."

According to the agreement, the Fund will support a range of research-for-development activities including (but not limited to) maize and wheat breeding; the development and promotion of conservation agriculture practices for maize and wheat farming systems; seed production; trials of drought tolerant maize varieties; and capacity building and exchange programs for agricultural specialists and farmers.

Also present at the signing ceremony and tribute to Borlaug were Julio Berdegué, Chair of CIMMYT's Board of Trustees; Mexican Agriculture Undersecretary, Francisco López Tostado; Pedro Brajcich Gallegos, Director General of the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock Research (INIFAP); Félix González Cossío, Director General of the Colegio de Posgraduados; Víctor Manuel Villalobos Arámbula, SAGARPA International Affairs Coordinator; and the Director of the Colegio Superior Agropecuario of the state of Guerrero, Ángel Agustín Mastache Lagunas.

For more information: Javier Peña, Grain Quality Specialist, Global Wheat Program; tel: +52 (55) 5804 2004 ext. 1238 or 1244; email: j.pena@cgiar.org

Top