CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE)
The CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE) is an international collaboration between more than 300 partners that seeks to mobilize global resources in maize research and development to achieve a greater strategic impact on maize-based farming systems in Africa, Latin America and South Asia.
Led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as its main CGIAR partner, MAIZE focuses on increasing maize production for the 900 million poor consumers for whom maize is a staple food in Africa, Latin America and South Asia. MAIZE’s overarching goal is to double maize productivity and increase incomes and livelihood opportunities from sustainable maize-based farming systems.
MAIZE receives funding support from CGIAR Trust Fund contributors.
MAIZE Flagship Projects (FPs) and Cluster of Activities
FP1: Enhancing MAIZE’s R4D strategy for impact
• Foresight and targeting of R4D strategies
• Learning from M&E, adoption and impacts
• Enhancing gender and social inclusiveness
• Value chain analysis
FP2: Novel diversity and tools for improving genetic gains
• Informatics, database management and decision support tools
• Development of enabling tools for germplasm improvement
• Unlocking genetic diversity through trait exploration and gene discovery
• Pre-breeding: development of germplasm resources
FP3: Stress-tolerant and nutritious maize
• Climate resilient maize with abiotic and biotic stress tolerance
• Tackling emerging trans-boundary disease/pest challenges
• Nutritional quality and end-use traits in elite genetic backgrounds
• Precision phenotyping and mechanization of breeding operations
• Seed production research and recommendations
• Stronger maize seed systems
FP4: Sustainable intensification of maize-based systems
• Multi-scale farming system framework to better integrate and enhance adoption of sustainable intensification options
• Participatory adoption and integration of technological components
• Development and field-testing of crop management technologies
• Partnership and collaborations models for scaling
Breaking Ground: Natalia Palacios gets the most out of maize
From biofortification to cooking techniques, a CIMMYT scientist and her team test how to make this global staple as nutritious as possible.
Revisiting the inverse size-productivity relationship
Study results suggest caution in designing agricultural policies based on evidence derived from inaccurate measurement protocols.
Investment in maize for Africa pays off
New report quantifies the impact of 20 years of CGIAR-led maize improvement for Africa.
What is nixtamalization?
Water, heat and lime transform grain in a traditional Central American maize processing method.
A knowledge revolution
CIMMYT researchers present new knowledge management framework for agri-food innovation systems.
Bill Gates highlights CIMMYT’s innovation in latest climate book
One of CIMMYT and CGIAR’s biggest supporters, he sets out on a virtual book tour to spark collaborative action toward avoiding a climate disaster and calls for innovations in almost everything that we do.
Drought-tolerant maize project pioneers a winning strategy for a world facing climate change
As partners come together as One CGIAR to enact a bold climate-centered strategy, projects like CIMMYT and IITA’s decades-long work on climate-smart maize can help show the way forward.
Classic milpa maize intercrop can help feed communities forgotten by development
New study in the Western Highlands of Guatemala confirms relation between milpa intercropping diversity and nutritional capacity.
New CIMMYT maize hybrids available from Eastern Africa breeding program
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.
New publications: Scientists find genomic regions associated with better quality stover traits in maize for animal feed
The results of this study will allow breeders to optimize dual purpose maize varieties to sustainably feed people and their livestock.
Fast-tracked adoption of second-generation resistant maize varieties key to managing maize lethal necrosis in Africa
New lines of CIMMYT-derived maize show increased resistance to maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease. Their rapid adoption, along with sustained monitoring and prevention efforts, are crucial to preventing another outbreak, argues a new report.
Taking stock of value chain development
Assessing the approach’s potential and limitations for strengthening the livelihoods of the rural poor, a new book draws conclusions applicable across the development field.
Announcing CIMMYT-derived fall armyworm tolerant elite maize hybrids for eastern and southern Africa
Breakthrough comes after three years of intensive research and trials conducted in Kenya — and during the United Nations International Year of Plant Health — and represents a significant advance in the global fight against fall armyworm.
Shining a brighter light on adoption and diffusion
Improved maize varieties among top three CGIAR innovations adopted by up to 11 million households in Ethiopia, independent study shows.
Improved metrics for better decisions
National breeding programs prepped to measure – and boost – genetic gains.
