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
Drought-tolerant maize project pioneers a winning strategy for a world facing climate change
Climate adaptation and mitigation
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
Nutrition, health and food security
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
Innovations
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
Nutrition, health and food security
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
Innovations
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
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
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
Environmental health and biodiversity
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
Nutrition, health and food security
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
Capacity development
National breeding programs prepped to measure – and boost – genetic gains.
International Whole Grain Day 2020
Nutrition, health and food security
Celebrating whole grains as an integral part of healthy, sustainable — and delicious — diets.
The Cereal Serial: What are whole grains and why do they matter?
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT maize and wheat quality experts explain the importance of whole grains for healthy diets.
New publications: Voicing demand for farm power
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Study explores how gender norms and intra-household dynamics shape women’s demand articulation for labor-saving technologies.
Beyond breeding: the potential of improved postharvest storage techniques for smallholder farmers
Nutrition, health and food security
Two-year study reveals techniques to strengthen Mexican smallholder farmers’ food security.
Somalia agriculture partners learn about integrated fall armyworm control practices
Capacity development
As the pest continues to cause damage to farmers’ fields, CIMMYT trained national agricultural partners on integrated pest management.
AgriFoodTrust platform gains momentum in quest for more inclusive, transparent agriculture
Innovations
The testing and learning platform is working to tackle issues from adulterated seeds to crop residue burning.
