Rodomiro Ortiz, CIMMYT Director of Resource Mobilization, participated in a live debate on genetically modified (GM) foods at the British Science Museum’s Dana Center on 22 January 2009. The event was webcast live as part of a CGIAR sponsored exhibition on “future foods” that opened in December 2008 and will run through May 2009. There will also be two other public debates on issues related to sustainable seafood and agriculture and climate change.

“A lot of opposition to GMOs stems for fear of the unknown, the fear that something might go wrong,” said Rodomiro Ortiz. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t be concerned about potential risks, but we need to balance the risks and the benefits. And this is a decision society as a whole needs to discuss,” said Ortiz.

The panel of experts participating also included Bob Watson, DEFRA Chief Scientific Adviser; Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy, City University, London; and Ian Sample, Science Correspondent, the Guardian, who acted as facilitator.

The Museum’s website raised some debate topics such as the potential need for GM technology to help feed the developing world and consumers’ right not to buy GM food and whether or not this ultimately contributes to world hunger.

For more information on the “food” events or to watch an online video of the debate visit: http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2009/01/22/482#videos

As of January 2009, the Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building office will merge with CIMMYT library to constitute a Knowledge, Information, and Training Group, as part of the Corporate Communications Unit. Petr Kosina will manage the group, moving with his support team to the CIMMYT library at El Batán. Strategic aims behind the change include integrating and enhancing diverse information management and knowledge sharing/capacity building products and services— among them library services, conference and training services, distribution of publications, other web services—that are increasingly managed and shared electronically and on-line.

Six Texas A&M University faculty members visited CIMMYT during 9-11 December to explore prospects for collaboration and share research information. To address individual interests, the group dispersed and met with several center scientists and staff. Conversation centered on maize and wheat breeding, biotic screens for wheat, quantitative genetics, soil science, and how A&M students can collaborate with the center. Dr. Amir Ibrahim, associate professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and small grains breeder and geneticist, also led a seminar on wheat improvement in Texas.

Long-time CIMMYT collaborator and Professor of Triticale and Wheat Genetics at Oregon State University, Robert “Bob” Metzger died in June 2008. He was a pioneer in work on Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica) in collaboration with CIMMYT, when the disease was found on wheat in Mexico, but his passion and hobby was triticale. Says CIMMYT wheat agronomist Ken Sayre, “He was a wonderful guy and is still remembered by the maids in the Costa de Oro (motel in Ciudad Obregón) as the man who brought wheat spikes to his room to hand thresh them—and make a real mess! —but he always left a big tip.” For those interested, a very nice memoriam written by his daughter appears in the USDA Annual Wheat Newsletter (Vol. 54).

On 22-23 October 2008, the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa Project (DTMA) held meetings in Malawi for stakeholders in the maize value chain to discuss the rationale and implementation plans for the Innovation Learning Platform (ILeP) at the national and district levels. The ILeP was launched in August 2008 and will be implemented in Balaka District of Malawi. Multiple stakeholders will work synergistically to ensure that farmers increase their incomes through access to maize production inputs (improved maize varieties, fertilizer, and credit) and to output markets. Diverse stakeholders—which include the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, researchers, extension agents, seed producers, agro-dealers, marketing companies, non-governmental organizations, micro-financial institutions, and farmers— agreed on their respective roles. Augustine Langyintuo, John MacRobert, and Peter Setimela presented on CIMMYT’s behalf, and DTMA project leader Wilfred Mwangi took part in discussions.

Great food met great company at CIMMYT-Kenya’s end-of-the-year luncheon on 7 December, hosted by Global Maize Program director Marianne Bänziger. Long-standing service awards were presented to Alpha Diallo, who retires from CIMMYT in January 2009, to Stephen Mugo, and to Isaac Mutabai. All shared the award and recognition with their spouses. “We couldn’t have done it without the love and support of our better halves,” they agreed.

Thanks and admiration for Diallo’s time and contributions were expressed in a commemorative plaque that commended “…the very high regard in which he is held as a wise voice, mentor, and friend; for his pragmatic approach to prioritizing and getting a job done…” Colleagues Wilfred Mwangi, Dan Makumbi, and Joseph Kasango recalled their experiences working with him. Diallo’s wife Mrs. Fatoumata Diallo presented CIMMYT with a beautiful, intricately woven, handmade wall hanging on behalf of the family. “This is to express our thanks to all at CIMMYT for their love, support, and friendship throughout all the years that we have known them,” she said.

The function also served as a good-bye for Jedidah Danson, who leaves CIMMYT to teach at Kwa Zulu University in South Africa, and Murenga Mwimali, a maize breeder from the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute who finished his four-month Visiting Scientist assignment. “It has been a rewarding and exciting experience,” Mwimali said. “I have learnt a lot from the CIMMYT scientists, especially Stephen Mugo, and the technicians about practical aspects of designing and managing trials, seed production, and national variety release procedures for insect resistant and stress tolerant maize.”

Bänziger also took the opportunity to thank staff for efforts in 2008 and to recognize and remember the invaluable contribution of the late Mrs. Ebby Irungu, who kept the office running smoothly with effortless efficiency, friendliness, and firmness. Those at CIMMYT-Kenya send wishes to all their colleagues for a joyous festive season and a prosperous New Year 2009!

In November 2008, CIMMYT organized meetings for all in-country maize industry stakeholders in eastern Africa to review progress made in 2008 and to propose work plans for 2009. These working groups are part of a regional framework to harmonize activities and resource use among maize projects coordinated by CIMMYT in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Participants discussed proposed projects and their development into full proposals for consideration in early 2009.

The groups reported success in developing and releasing new varieties, in seed production, and in getting seed to farmers. Participants came from the following projects: Quality Protein Maize Development, Africa Maize Stress, Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa, and the Insect Maize for Africa Project. At the meetings, CIMMYT was represented by Dennis Friesen, Wilfred Mwangi, Stephen Mugo, Twumasi Afriyie, Zubeda Mduruma, Augustine Langyintuo, Dan Makumbi, Yoseph Beyenne, Kimani Kamau, and Anne Wangalachi.