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.
Bridging Science and Impact: Monitoring Progress and Fostering Collaboration Across Groundnut Programs in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia
CIMMYT and NARES partners are boosting groundnut research across Africa to empower farmers and transform lives
CGIAR–NARES Event Highlights Innovations and Challenges in Dryland Crops
CIMMYT and partners are driving adoption of improved dryland crops through science-powered, locally led partnerships
Beyond handshakes and agreements: The real work behind scaling conservation agriculture in Malawi
Forged in the fields of Malawi, CIMMYT and Total LandCare’s partnership is proving that climate-smart farming rooted in local realities can transform livelihoods, one resilient harvest at a time
Transforming Agri-Food Systems in Niassa: Building Resilience from the Ground Up
In the heart of Niassa, Mozambique, CIMMYT is turning hope into harvest by equipping women and youth with certified seeds, knowledge, and market access to transform their farms and futures
When livestock is a farmer’s bank
Turning drought into opportunity, Francis and Annie are growing food, feeding goats, and building resilience with CIMMYT’s support in Malawi
Mother Farmers: Cultivating Change and Growing Resilience
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?
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
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
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
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
Source: Development and Cooperation (12 May 2025)