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.

https://maize.org/

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

Research Program Administrator
News

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Good weed management, conservation agriculture, and use of manure and compost are recommended to help control fall armyworm in Africa.

Projects

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Press releases

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Occupying 12 acres of land, the facility is expected to produce at least 30,000 DH lines a year.

Publications

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This research is especially significant for countries where the health burdens of exposure to aflatoxin and prevalence of vitamin A deficiency converge with high rates of maize consumption.

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The CIMMYT community honors the memory of John A. Mihm, CIMMYT’s maize entomologist during the 1970s-90s,

News

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Open to young women and men below 35 years of age who are implementing innovations in African maize-based agri-food systems.

Features

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A new study explores how conservation agriculture in southern Africa supports spider populations and diversity, which could help mitigate pest damage.

News

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Experts explained the spread of the pest and presented science-based solutions to fight it.

Press releases

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International consortium established to connect research with practical field solutions against pest.

News

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Four awardees are using modern technologies, dedicated to new knowledge and with hopes to improve the world.

News

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The seed varieties stored in the CIMMYT germplasm bank were of vital importance in efforts to restore food security in the aftermath of Hurricane Stan.