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.
The beginning of a beautiful partnership
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Experts discuss solutions to postharvest losses and how agricultural mechanization can benefit rural women in the Global South.
Farmers flock towards nutritious, orange maize
Nutrition, health and food security
A growing number of smallholders in southern Zimbabwe adopt provitamin-A maize after collective learning and knowledge transfer initiative.
Wheat disease common to South America jumps to Africa
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: SciDev.Net (3 Nov 2020)
Wheat blast is a serious threat to wheat production and can lead to yield losses of up to 100 percent.
CIMMYT-supported researcher earns doctorate for work on gender, maize value chains and food security
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Research was supported through the Stress Tolerant Maize for Africa (STMA) project.
Reflections on resilience
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Mother-trial farmers in Zimbabwe’s Mwenezi district share their experiences, lessons and successes in adopting climate-resilient practices.
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.
Breaking Ground: Isaiah Nyagumbo advances climate-smart technologies to improve smallholder farming systems
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Systems agronomist transforms farmers’ livelihoods through improved crop performance and soil health, promoting sustainable techniques that mitigate climate change effects.
Wheat blast has made the intercontinental jump to Africa
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: Rural 21 (9 Oct 2020)
Wheat blast poses a serious threat to rain-fed wheat production in Zambia and raises the alarm for surrounding regions and countries on the African continent with similar environmental conditions.
Food production in Africa: Role of improved seeds in enhancing food security
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: CGTN Africa (9 Nov 2020)
CIMMYT maize breeder Yoseph Beyene discusses drought-tolerant maize and maize with resistance to fall armyworm.
Efforts in controlling maize disease boosting steady supply of certified seeds
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: Kenya Broadcasting Company (5 Oct 2020)
CIMMYT and partners are supporting the commercial seed sector to produce seed free from the maize cause of maize lethal necrosis.
Breaking Ground: Jordan Chamberlin avidly explores the changing landscapes of Africa
Innovations
CIMMYT spatial economist studies how economic behavior varies across diverse geographical contexts, how smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa are evolving, and the need to revisit agricultural resources and policies accordingly.