Our recent stories

Building on an intensive, science-based response to fall armyworm in Africa and Asia, CIMMYT, USAID and partners, announce the publication of “Fall Armyworm in Asia: A Guide for Integrated Pest Management.”

By Dr. Suresh, L.M. (September, 2021) :  The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin the third interval of its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2021 at the beginning of October 2021. Interested organizations from both the private and public sectors are invited to send maize […]

A new publication makes the case for continued research in cereals for health

Researchers study the design, delivery and use of digital decision-support tools for smallholder maize farmers in northern Nigeria.

Varietal trait prioritization is important for balancing commercial realities and farmers’ diverse interests.

A new historical paper by two independent and highly renowned experts assesses the legacy, the changes, and the “ultimate successes” of five decades of maize research by the CGIAR

Across Nepal, COVID-19 pandemic cases were at an all-time high and predicted to double each week; quarantine facilities and hospitals were full. COVID-19 cases are no longer confined to urban areas, but rural areas and highly remote villages, including the farm households in the Feed the Future Zone of Influence in the Terai. COVID-19 adds […]

CIMMYT and IITA are pleased to announce the 2021 Early Career Maize Breeding Online Course. The course is designed for new and upcoming maize breeders from Africa’s public and private sectors who wish to learn about maize improvement targeted especially for stress environments.

USAID-supported studies in Nepal, conducted by the Gender, Climate Change and Nutrition Integration Initiative (GCAN) and the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), find that around one-third of farmers (34% male and 29% female) reported unavailability of their regular sources of agricultural extension information since […]

In Nepal, agriculture contributes to a third of gross domestic product and employs about 80% of the rural labor force. The rural population is comprised mostly of smallholder farmers whose level of income from agricultural production is low by international standards and the country’s agricultural sector has become vulnerable to erratic monsoon […]

Every year, the spores of the wheat blast fungus lie in wait on South American and Bangladeshi farms. In most years, the pathogen has only a small impact on the countries’ wheat crops. But, the disease spreads quickly, and when the conditions are right, there’s a risk of a large outbreak — which can pose a serious threat

An “Affordable, Accessible, Asian” drought-tolerant hybrid maize variety developed by CIMMYT and Syngenta—and first released in India—will become the first hybrid available to smallholders in Myanmar’s Central Dry Zones.

CGIAR webinar examined the technological, sustainability and social implications of integrated approaches.   By Madeline Dahm March 25, 2021   In our hyper-connected world, it should come as no surprise that recent years have shown a major uptick in the spread of transboundary pests and diseases. Integrated approaches have been effective in […]

CIMMYT maize lines CML604A to CML615A are adapted to tropical maize production environments.

Expression of interest for agricultural machinery and spare parts manufacturing in partnership with the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA-MEA).

From biofortification to cooking techniques, a CIMMYT scientist and her team test how to make this global staple as nutritious as possible.

Pastor Adenola served on the MAIZE Independent Steering Committee from 2013-2016 and was a committed proponent of R4D in maize agri-food systems in Nigeria.

By Dr. Suresh, L.M.:  The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin the second interval of its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2021 at the beginning of April 2021. Interested organizations from both the private and public sectors are invited to send maize germplasm for screening. […]

Taken together, digital monitoring and readily available data on the status of groundwater resources provide a critical foundation for sustainable irrigation development. While much is known about surface water resources and hydrological and meteorological linkages between the Terai, Mid-Hills and Himalaya regions of the country, Nepal currently […]

By Dr. Suresh, L.M.: The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) artificial inoculation screening site in Naivasha, Kenya will begin its phenotyping (screening/ indexing) cycle of 2021 at the beginning of January 2021 and in other four intervals, interested organizations from both the private and public sectors are invited to send maize germplasm for […]

Once a world leading lentil producer, Nepal is now having to import them as farmers struggle with low productivity and warmer, wetter weather. This could have serious implications in a country where lentils provide an important source of protein, especially for poor families. Read the full article here.

Groundwater irrigation plays a critical role in supporting food security, rural livelihoods and economic development in South Asia. However, in Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP) region (including Nepal, Bangladesh and Eastern India) many farmers lack access to affordable groundwater supply. Inability to fully exploit available groundwater […]

“Maize farming has supported us during this low-income and very critical period (COVID-19). I shall continue maize cultivation and hope to increase our lease in land next year”, Sashimoni Lohar. CSISA works with women farmers like Lohar in the tribal dominated districts of Odisha, India in cultivating maize in arable fallow land. A few years […]

Agriculture scientists and researchers study the possible impact to agricultural productivity due to COVID-19 disruptions and the increasing threat of pollution due to stubble burning in northern india. Emerging evidence supports the intuitive link between chronic health conditions associated with air pollution and the vulnerability of […]

Highlights Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) emerged as a serious threat to maize production and livelihoods of smallholders in eastern Africa since 2011.        An intensive multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional strategy is being implemented to curb the spread of MLN in sub-Saharan Africa, and mitigate the impact of the disease. Intensive […]