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
Extensive use of wild grass-derived “synthetic hexaploid wheat” adds diversity and resilience to modern bread wheat
Innovations
New study shows that improved bread wheat varieties obtained from crosses of durum wheat and goat grass are helping to ensure the crop’s future.
Warmer night temperatures reduce wheat yields in Mexico, scientists say
Climate adaptation and mitigation
International gathering highlights cutting edge efforts to improve yields, nutrition, and climate change resilience of a globally vital staple food.
CRP Maize Annual Report 2018
Nutrition, health and food security
In 2018, MAIZE delivered development outcomes and impacts through varietal release, scale-up, delivery and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritionally enriched maize varieties.
New CIMMYT pre-commercial hybrids available from Asia maize breeding programs
Nutrition, health and food security
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners in South and South East Asia and similar agro-ecological zones, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.
New publications: A study of water markets in Bangladesh
Innovations
Researchers analyze irrigation service providers to understand how different business models and pump types affect pricing and water conservation.
New manual provides quantitative approach to drought stress phenotyping
Innovations
The manual covers field site selection, effects of weather, crop management and other factors to standardize the required intensity, timing and uniformity of imposed drought stress during field trials.
New association formed to support smallholder native maize farmers in Mexico
Capacity development
ProMaĂz Nativo will promote small-scale landrace maize farmers through certification and fair market access.
Call for Nominees for the 2019 Maize Youth Innovators Awards – Latin America
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Open to young women and men under 35 who are implementing innovations in Latin American maize-based agri-food systems.
Are high land rental costs pricing African youth out of agriculture?
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Rural land grows scarce as populations rise and more youth farm for their livelihoods.
Bird’s-eye view
Innovations
Multispectral and thermal images taken by cameras on unmanned aerial vehicles are helping researchers to monitor the resistance of maize to tar spot complex and other foliar diseases.
Research, innovation, partnerships, impact
Innovations
Knowledge share fair highlights CGIAR contributions to the Ethiopian agriculture sector.
The fall armyworm, explained
Nutrition, health and food security
A series of infographics shows farmers in Bangladesh the threat of fall armyworm, how to identify it in the fields and what to do in case of damage.
Shifting to a demand-led maize improvement agenda
Climate adaptation and mitigation
In annual meeting, STMA project partners build on the successes of research in combatting drought, heat, pests and disease.
Tracing maize landraces, 50 years later
Environmental health and biodiversity
Scientists track down the families in Morelos, Mexico, who donated maize landraces to CIMMYT in 1966-67. Would they still be cultivating them?
Winners of 2019 MAIZE Youth Innovators Awards – Africa announced
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
The five young awardees are advancing change, innovation and research in their communities.
