Africa
CIMMYT’s work in Africa helps farmers access new maize and wheat systems-based technologies, information and markets, raising incomes and enhancing crop resilience to drought and climate change. CIMMYT sets priorities in consultation with ministries of agriculture, seed companies, farming communities and other stakeholders in the maize and wheat value chains. Our activities in Africa are wide ranging and include: breeding maize for drought tolerance and low-fertility soils, and for resistance to insect pests, foliar diseases and parasitic weeds; sustainably intensifying production in maize- and wheat-based systems; and investigating opportunities to reduce micronutrient and protein malnutrition among women and young children.
Mother Farmers: Cultivating Change and Growing Resilience
Climate adaptation and mitigation
In Kasungu, Malawi, Sarai Mkanasi is leading a farming revolution as climate smart mixed farming transforms livelihoods
Can organic fertilizers rebuild Zimbabwe’s fragile soils?
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe are restoring soil health and building climate resilience through farmer-led trials that integrate organic amendments and conservation agriculture practices
Retraining Trialists: Enhancing Capacity for Quality Data Collection
Capacity development
A nationwide training led by ZARI with CIMMYT support strengthened the skills of trialists in data collection, DNA sampling, and quality control to enhance research quality and crop improvement for dryland agriculture in Zambia
Building trust, bridging divides: How Zambia’s digital champions are paving the way for inclusive farming
Capacity development
In Zambia’s Southern Province, the Atubandike initiative is equipping local Digital Champions to bridge digital and social divides within farming communities-fostering trust, challenging exclusionary norms, and paving the way for inclusive, climate-smart agriculture that places every farmer’s voice at the heart of innovation
Fingerprinting bioinformatics pipeline cuts seed purity testing from days to clicks
Capacity development
A new bioinformatics-powered tool developed by CIMMYT is transforming seed purity testing by delivering fast, automated, and scalable genetic verification for dryland crops, empowering breeders and seed systems across Africa
Decades of on-station conservation agriculture trials reveal key farming insights for Zambia’s changing climate
Two decades of CIMMYT-led conservation agriculture trials across Zambia uncover how tailored, climate-resilient practices can boost smallholder productivity and soil health amid increasing weather extremes
Small grains and new methods bring resilience to Zimbabwean farmers
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Development and Cooperation (12 May 2025)
When the worm won’t wait: Battling Fall Armyworm with science, seeds and farmer-led solutions
Climate adaptation and mitigation
When the worm won’t wait, farmers fight back—with science in the seed and solutions rooted in the soil.
IMIC-Africa Field Day 2025: Where science meets collaboration to accelerate maize innovation in Africa
Capacity development
IMIC-Africa Field Day 2025 brought together science, seed innovation, and collaboration across Africa to fast-track resilient, high-yield maize solutions from lab to farm.
How Crops to End Hunger is transforming CGIAR crop breeding from the ground up
Capacity development
Crops to End Hunger is modernizing CGIAR breeding systems to boost impact, speed, and inclusivity—transforming how we breed for tomorrow.
