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.
Reaching women with improved maize and wheat
Climate adaptation and mitigation
The new AGG project aims to respond to the climate emergency and gender nexus through gender-intentional product profiles for its improved seed varieties and gender-intentional seed delivery pathways.
Building resistance in wheat: International collaboration fights Septoria tritici blotch disease
Capacity development
Tunisia-based Septoria phenotyping platform plays critical role in identifying sources of resistance to the disease.
New publications: Power, agency and benefits among women and men maize farmers
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Income-generating benefits of improved maize varieties hampered by patriarchal gender norms in rural Nigeria.
Unique partnership to transform maize breeding and production in Africa
Innovations
Stakeholders take stock of ongoing work to bring farmers superior hybrids using two novel technologies.
Lessons for gender in seed systems
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
Workshop participants exchange ideas on expanding opportunities for women in the seed sector.
The future of agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa
Gender equality, youth and social inclusion
On International Youth Day, CIMMYT captures images of sub-Saharan African youth to celebrate their immense contributions to agriculture, farming systems, service provision and research and development.
Agency unveils seed resistant to disease
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: The Standard (16 Aug 2020)
Kenya Seed Company worked with CIMMYT to develop a maize lethal necrosis-tolerant hybrid.
AGG project to ramp up genetic gains in maize for better livelihoods
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: AFRICA Agribusiness (31 Aug 2020)
Project will deliver improved, stress resilient, nutritious seed to smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.
New project to ramp up genetic gains in maize for better livelihoods
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: The Rwandan (30 Jul 2020)
AGG project will deliver improved, stress resilient, nutritious seed to smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.
Work to develop high yielding Striga tolerant maize seed is bearing fruit
Nutrition, health and food security
An early indication of parental lines with potential to tolerate or resist Striga, is showing “light at the end of the tunnel” for farmers battling the nutrient-sucking monster.
“Better, faster, equitable, sustainable” – wheat research community partners join to kick off new breeding project
Nutrition, health and food security
Collaboration, partnership and mutual learning with national partners key focus of new project to accelerate breeding and delivery of improved wheat varieties.
New project to ramp up genetic gains in maize for better livelihoods
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Seed Quest (28 Jul 2020)
The new AGG project has a strong focus on more synergistic and supportive partnerships with national programs to help improve the effectiveness of their breeding efforts.
New project to ramp up genetic gains in maize for better livelihoods
Nutrition, health and food security
The new AGG project has a strong focus on more synergistic and supportive partnerships with national programs to help improve the effectiveness of their breeding efforts.
Reaching farmers in the last mile with seeds they can trust
Capacity development
By working closely with the farmers, Masindi Seed Company puts itself at a strategic position to understand farmers’ preferred traits better.