On October 4, 2023, Sieglinde Snapp, program director of the Sustainable Agrifood System (SAS) program, along with the country representative of CIMMYT and project lead of the Nepal Seed and Fertilizer Project (NSAF) Dyutiman Choudhary, visited the National Soil Science Research Center (NSSRC) under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). The chief of NSSRC, Shree Prasad Vista, and his team welcomed Snapp and the team from CIMMYT. In the meeting, Vista presented an overview of NSSRC’s work and emphasized the collaborative work with NSAF. He focused on the achievements NSSRC has accomplished with the joint efforts of NSAF. He highlighted the launch of the Digital Soil Map and new fertilizer recommendations. He also reflected on the benefits of soil health cards to the farmers that NSAF supported. In addition, he prioritized the importance of collaboration to improve the livelihood of farmers. He appreciated the cross-learning that CIMMYT has been providing for knowledge transfer and adopting best management practices. After the meeting, the team visited the NSSRC’s laboratory, which provided insights about their soil research activities.
The chief of NSSRC briefs Sieg Snapp on farmers’ health card. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Following the visit to NSSRC, Snapp and CIMMYT colleagues visited the NARC Head Office within the same premises. The Executive Director of NARC, Dhurbaraj Bhattari, welcomed the delegates in his office. The ED presented an overview of NARC and its primary focus. He emphasized the importance of collaborative work with CIMMYT. After the presentation, the delegates from CIMMYT, NARC and NSSRC discussed critical issues regarding sustainable agricultural practices. The primary focus of the meeting was the strategies to boost sustainable agricultural productivity to enhance crop yields, value chain enhancement for farmer’s benefits, policy development for collaboration and harmonization to encourage horizontal and vertical cooperation between different stakeholders, need for investment in research and infrastructure at the grassroots level for addressing the challenges faced by farmers.
Addressing the meeting, Snapp focused on the importance of partnership aligning with CIMMYT’s latest strategies to facilitate knowledge transfer and the adoption of best practices. She also raised her concerns regarding the loss of crops between harvest and storage. She reflected on the commitment of CIMMYT to improving agriculture through science and innovation to change the livelihood of farmers. She showed her commitment to ongoing collaboration for sustainable agricultural development.
The meeting provided a platform to strengthen the longstanding collaboration between CIMMYT and NARC to address the challenges faced by farmers to enhance agricultural productivity through sustainable approaches. The Executive Director of NARC extended heartfelt gratitude for CIMMYT’s support, which has played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of countless farmers. He also expressed hope for continued collaboration in the future.
The CIMMYT and NSSRC team at NSSRC offices. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Snapp visited CIMMYT Nepal from October 3-7, 2023. 2023. During her visit, she interacted and engaged with various stakeholders, including Nepal staff, farmers in the field, agricultural cooperatives, government authorities, seed growers, suppliers and feed mills.
The Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC 2023) Symposium, held in Nairobi, Kenya, provided a platform for experts, scientists, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the evolution of genetic improvement tools in agriculture and the critical role that communication plays in ensuring these advancements are aligned with societal needs. The theme of the symposium, “Evolution of Genetic Improvement Tools in Agriculture: Is Communication Matching Up?” sparked insightful discussions and revelations regarding the intersections of technology, communication and sustainability.
Biotechnology underpins sustainable agriculture by providing potential solutions that enable agricultural systems to better address underlying health, livelihood and nutrition challenges. The quest for innovative and tech-enabled options for sustainable agriculture offers valuable lessons contributing to long-term food security. For example, through the applications of genome editing technologies, nutritional enhancements and reduced reliance on agrochemicals are both possible.
A case study presentation by Kevin Pixley, director of the Dryland Crops Program (DCP) and interim director of the Global Wheat Program, “How will communication about new breeding tools impact the development of sustainable food systems and one health-focus on crop science,” detailed how communication plays a vital role in informing consumers and society at large about the positive impacts that new breeding tools can have by contributing to sustainable food systems.
Kevin Pixley speaks during the panel discussion at the ABBC 2023 symposium in Nairobi. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)
Transparent communication builds trust and impacts consumersâ ability to make informed decisions regarding genome-edited or other products. “In order to communicate effectively, we need to be transparent and provide information that consumers are seeking,â Pixley said. âUnderstanding their questions and concerns is the first step.” He gave examples of communication challenges, discussed various levels of transparency and urged for proactive approaches to communicate the benefits of genetic improvement technologies. Pixley further pointed out that the credibility of the communicator plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and emphasized the importance of tailoring communication to different cultural contexts and audiences.
During the panel discussion, âSystems thinking toward sustainable food/feed supply and one health. What is the role of communication?” experts from various fields, discussed the interconnectedness of food systems, human and animal health, the environment and communication. Acknowledging the complexity of the interconnected food production and consumption cycle, Pixley suggested that a holistic approach is necessary and called for a paradigm shift towards a thriving agricultural ecosystem.
The discussions delved into the role of communication in promoting economic, social and environmental sustainability solutions. The dialogue revealed the importance of involving farmers, policymakers and development partners to ensure holistic solutions.
Miscommunication and misinformation were also addressed, with the speakers recognizing the need to address perceived risks and demonstrate the safety and benefits of genetic advancements. Also discussed was the importance of simplicity and tailored messaging for various stakeholders, including policymakers, farmers and consumers.
In conclusion, the panelists agreed that effective communication is essential to realize the potential benefits offered by biotechnologies.
Mithika Linturi, cabinet secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, engages with the DCP team at CIMMYT’s exhibition stand. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)
At the sorghum festival, Pixley and the DCP team showcased CIMMYT’s efforts in sorghum breeding and genetic improvement. They underscored the collaborative work with NARES partners and emphasized the importance of co-designing, co-developing and co-implementing projects to ensure sustainability and shared ownership. “A successful program requires collaboration, sharing resources and building sustainable networks,â said Pixley. âOur efforts are driven by the collaboration of various stakeholders.” The symposium also witnessed CIMMYT showcasing millet and sorghum at the exhibition, where the DCP team engaged with many participants.
All these discussions demonstrated the critical role that communication plays in shaping the trajectory of genetic improvement tools in modern agriculture. Transparent, culturally sensitive and proactive communications are essential to achieve social license for novel technologies, such as genome editing, to contribute to sustainable food systems, improved farmersâ livelihoods and food security for farmers and consumers.
In Nepal, the International Water Management Institute and CIMMYT conducted research on Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming System (SI-MFS) in collaboration with local governments in Gurbakot Municipality of Surkhet and Haleshi Tuwachung Municipality of Khotang.
The research found a noticeable shift in farmers’ interest in farming practices, where successful implementation of innovation and scaling, it’s crucial to have farmers’ interest and ownership in interventions.
Are agroecological approaches, based for example on the use of legumes and manure, enough by themselves to ensure a long-term increase in annual crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), without using more mineral fertilizer?
The answer is no, according to a team of agronomists who have published an in-depth analysis of 150 scientific articles on annual crops (maize, sorghum, millet, rice, cassava, etc.) and tropical legumes, both annual grain legumes (cowpea, groundnut) and legume trees (acacia, sesbania) in tropical environments.
These publications collate 50 years of knowledge on nutrient balances in sub-Saharan Africa, biological nitrogen fixation by tropical legumes, manure use in smallholder farming systems and the environmental impact of mineral fertilizer.
âWhen we look at comparable climate conditions and physical soil constraints, yields of maize â the main source of calories for people â in sub-Saharan Africa are three to four times lower than elsewhere in the world. This is largely due to the fact that mineral fertilizer use (nitrogen, potassium) is on average four times lower thereâ, says Gatien Falconnier, a researcher at CIRAD based in Zimbabwe and lead author of the article. âOn average, 13 kg of nitrogen are used per hectare and per year in sub-Saharan Africa, for all crops, bearing in mind that the poorest farmers have no access to nitrogen fertilizers and therefore do not use them. It is mainly agri-business and vegetable farmers that have access to fertilizersâ, adds François Affholder, an agronomist at CIRAD based in Mozambique and co-author of the article.
Maize and cowpea intercropping in the Maravire field. (Photo: CIMMYT)
âOur objective is not to produce like Europe or North America, but to produce more and more regularly according to the seasons and the years, and thus to increase the economic sustainability of our farming systems. To do so, we must ensure a minimum level of nutrients for crops, which require essential mineral elements for efficient photosynthesis, and therefore growth. Soils are typically lacking in mineral elements in sub-Saharan Africa, and the largely insufficient organic inputs lead to nutrient deficiencies in crops. This is the main limiting factor for crop yields, excluding drought situationsâ, says Pauline Chivenge of the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI). âThe work by Christian Pieri showed as early as 1989 that it is possible to restore high levels of fertility to African soils through a balanced approach to organic and mineral nutrient inputsâ, says François Affholder.
The article highlights five reasons why more mineral fertilizer is needed in sub-Saharan Africa:
Farming systems are characterized by very low mineral fertilizer use, widespread mixed crop-livestock systems, and significant crop diversity, including legumes. Inputs of mineral elements to crops by farmers are insufficient, resulting in a widespread decline in soil fertility due to soil nutrient mining.
The nitrogen requirements of crops cannot be met solely through biological nitrogen fixation by legumes and manure recycling. Legumes can only fix atmospheric nitrogen if symbiosis with soil bacteria functions correctly, which requires absorption of different mineral elements by the plant. Ken Giller of Wageningen University highlights that the ability of legumes to capture nitrogen from the air through their symbiosis with rhizobium bacteria is a fantastic opportunity for smallholder farmers, âbut the amounts on nitrogen fixed are very small unless other nutrients such as phosphorus are supplied through fertilizersâ.
Phosphorus and potassium are often the main limiting factors of the functioning of plants and living organisms, including symbiotic bacteria: if there is not enough phosphorus and potassium in soils, then there is no nitrogen fixation. These nutrient elements, phosphorus, potassium and micro-elements, need to be provided by fertilizers, since they cannot be provided by legumes, which draw these elements directly from the soil. In the case of manure, this is simply a transfer from grazing areas to cultivated areas, which gradually reduces fertility in grazing areas.
If used appropriately, mineral fertilizers have little impact on the environment. The greenhouse gas emissions linked to nitrogen fertilizer use can be controlled through a balanced and efficient application. In addition, mineral fertilizers can be produced more efficiently in order to reduce the impact of their production on greenhouse gas emissions, keeping in mind that this impact is low, at around 1% of total anthropogenic emissions.
Further reducing mineral fertilizer use in SSA would hamper productivity gains and would contribute directly to increasing food insecurity and indirectly to agricultural expansion and deforestation. Producing for a population that will double by 2050 is likely to require the use of more agricultural land. An extensive strategy thus harms biodiversity and contributes to increasing greenhouse gas emissions, contrary to an agroecological intensification strategy combined with efficient and moderate mineral fertilizer use.
âIf we take account of biophysical production factors, such as climate and soil, and shortages of land and agricultural workers, it will be impossible to reach a satisfactory production level by fertilizing soils only with manure and using legumesâ, says Leonard Rusinamhodzi, an agricultural researcher at the Ghana International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
However, âagroecological principles linked directly to improving soil fertility, such as recycling of mineral and organic elements, crop efficiency and diversity, with for example agroforestry practices and cereal-legume intercropping, remain essential to improve soil health. Soil fertility is based on its organic matter content, provided by plant growth that determines the biomass that is returned to the soil in the form of roots and plant residues. Efficient mineral fertilizer use starts a virtuous circle. These nutrients are crucial for the sustainability of agricultural productivityâ, says Gatien Falconnier.
The researchers therefore argue for a nuanced position that recognizes the need to increase mineral fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa, in a moderate manner based on efficient practices, in conjunction with the use of agroecological practices and appropriate policy support. This balanced approach is aimed at ensuring long-term food security while preserving ecosystems and preventing soil degradation.
The input reduction principle of agroecology is wrong when it comes to mineral fertilizer use in sub-Saharan Africa. Outlook on Agriculture, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00307270231199795
*CIRAD, CIMMYT, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Wageningen University and the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI)
Food security remains elusive for most smallholder farmers reliant on rainfed crop production, given the erratic rainfall patterns induced by climate change in Southern Africa. Among others, conservation agriculture (CA) is a concept often considered to be effective to adapt to these erratic rainfall patterns, enabling farmers to cope better with the prolonged dry spells that are characteristic of the semi-arid regions in Zimbabwe.
Conservation agriculture essentially involves three key pillars, namely, reduced soil disturbance, the use of crop rotations or intercrop associations, and the provision of permanent soil cover. The soil-cover component often requires the use of previous crop residues or other organic materials as a surface mulch. However, local farmers consider this task to be the most laborious aspect of implementing CA, which poses a significant challenge to its widespread uptake.
Collecting insights on influence of synthetic mulch. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Traditionally, farmers are advised to use organic mulch, such as maize residues, for soil cover. However, in most communal areas, there is a growing scarcity of organic mulches as they are predominantly used as livestock feed in mixed crop-livestock farming systems. Ironically, semi-arid regions that benefit from the use of crop residues as soil cover are also regions where the residues are the scarcest due to competing uses as livestock feed or as firewood. These competing interests pose a dilemma, as it is essential to cover the soil while also necessary to feed the animals. In neighboring countries like Malawi, maize residues are also used as fuel for firewood, further increasing the demand. It is clearly important, therefore, to develop alternative solutions to address this pressing issue.
âSince I embarked on my journey in conservation agriculture back in 1998, the matter of residues has been a topic of discussion. It is imperative that we walk the talk and develop practical solutions to meet the needs of farmers who rely on residues to feed their animals. One potential solution we are exploring is the use of synthetic mulches to cover the soil. By employing this method, we can cover the soil, apply fertilizer, and hopefully witness a positive impact. We certainly must develop synthetic materials that can be used sustainably as surface mulches in the semi-arid environments where organics are most scarce yet most needed,â stated Isaiah Nyagumbo, regional cropping systems agronomist.
To test such innovations, some water-conservation experiments were established in Buhera and Mutoko, Zimbabwe, during the last two seasons, and the results have been encouraging.
âI am grateful to work with the CIMMYT team on these water conservation trials, and I hope they continue. Before the trials, we were using organic mulch, but after using the synthetic approach and comparing it with organic mulches and none at all, we are seeing so many positive results. But there are challenges we canât escape, including affordability. But I have seen higher yield returns this year as I harvested close to 15 by 50kgs of maize,” said Nyawasha, a farmer from Mutoko, Zimbabwe, ward 16.
Further detailed studies to understand these systems have also been established in the current dry season at the CIMMYT campus in Harare, to test the effectiveness of these synthetic mulches under conditions of severe moisture stress. The different treatments include clear synthetic mulch, black synthetic mulch, organic mulch and no mulch. So far, for the maize crop now at flowering stage, the growth and yield are strikingly better in plots under the synthetic mulches compared with the organic and no mulch plots. This clearly shows the importance of finding viable alternatives. The crop with synthetic mulches also developed much faster, all the way from crop emergence.
Exploring the tied-ridging system
In these trials, mulching treatments are being tested in conventionally tilled plots, CA basins (pfumvudza basins) and under the tied-ridging system. Tied ridging has been developed in Zimbabwe for use by smallholder farmers since the 1980s and is well known for its effectiveness in reducing sheet erosion and water run-off. This system employs ridges 15â20 cm high, with crossties in the furrows at 1â2 m intervals that trap rainwater and prevent runoff and soil erosion. However, in a typical rainfed system, poor germination challenges can arise when planting on top of these ridges due to excessive drying of moisture from the raised ridges. Furthermore, during prolonged dry spells, the exposed ridges tend to cause crops to wilt more than flat-planted conventional crops. To address these issues, scientists at CIMMYT in Zimbabwe are also exploring innovative ways to improve the tied-ridging system through ways that minimize water loss through direct soil evaporation.
âThis has been one of the shortcomings of the tied-ridging system, and we need ways to overcome this excessive moisture evaporation. Once the water has gone into the soil, it should only leave through plant uptake and not be wasted through direct soil evaporation,â said Nyagumbo.
Integrating synthetic mulch into the tied-ridge system. (Photo: CIMMYT)
One approach being considered is incorporating mulch into the system to reduce evaporation and ensure that captured water is retained. The results are evident in the vibrant greenery of the plants with mulch compared with those without. Observing the number of plants with tassels and silk, it is clear that the plots with clear synthetic material have faster growth and reach maturity sooner compared with the plots with black synthetic mulch.
âMy outlook on the use of synthetic mulch on ridges is that they are much more effective, as it makes the soil very loose for good aeration to the plant and encourages high growth rate. I noticed that plants germinated in three days and the little water provided will directly benefit the plant without escaping. I am encouraged to continue doing this tied ridge approach using synthetic material,â said Nyekete, a farmer in Buhera, Zimbabwe, ward 7.
While exploring various options, it has also been important to prioritize and focus on one aspect at a time. The initial focus has been on maize residue, as it is a valuable resource for both soil cover and livestock feed. However, the scarcity of maize residue poses a significant challenge for many farmers, especially in regions like Buhera, Mberengwa and Shurugwi, where animals consume all available resources. Placing maize residues in open fields is not a very viable solution, as freely roaming livestock will just consume it. Fencing or creating structures to protect the residues from livestock also requires substantial effort and resources, thereby making this mulching a daunting task for farmers.
Food for thought
While the challenges faced in providing mulch for conservation agriculture are multifaceted, there is a growing need to develop innovative solutions that address the scarcity of organic mulch and explore alternative methods such as synthetic coverings. By continuously adapting and refining our practices, we can ensure the sustainability of agriculture in this region and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
A dedicated field specialist, on 2 August 2023 retired CIMMYT wheat geneticist Man Mohan Kohli was recognized as âComendadorâ of the Paraguayâs National Order of Merit. In his acceptance speech, Kohli cited the benefits of public-private partnerships to profit farmers and catalyze food grain value chains. (Photo: CIMMYT)
A native of India, where he completed schooling including a Ph.D. in wheat genetics, Kohli worked at CIMMYT during 1971-2004 on topics including spring x winter wheat crosses, resistance in wheat to the rust and other diseases, and the improvement and promotion of triticale, a wheat x rye hybrid.
In 1978 he was assigned to a CIMMYT regional program involving wheat breeding, development and training in collaboration with countries of the Southern Cone of South America, which included facilitating the regional testing and exchange of wheat breeding lines and selection data.
As of 2004, Kohli has been an active part-time consultant with Paraguayâs national wheat program and the Bioceres Group in Argentina.
âFunding ended for CIMMYT wheat research in Paraguay in 1993,â Kohli said. âIn 2003 we started direct cooperation again through a joint venture including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Paraguayan Chamber of Cereals and Oilseeds Exporters, and CIMMYT.”
âBack in 2003, Paraguay was producing about 320,000 tons of wheat each year and importing over 200,000 tons. Now, yearly output is around 1 million tons and the country exports almost a third of that.â
Kohli said the joint initiative had promoted higher-yielding wheat varieties and farming methods, lowered the costs of agrochemicals, and helped form associations involving farmers and millersâthe complete cycle from sowing to marketing for wheat.
Paraguayans eat an average of over 85 kilograms of wheat each year as pasta, bread and other bakery products.
Kohliâs career has led him to work with science luminaries such as M.S. Swaminathan, Glenn Anderson, Joe Rupert, Cal Qualset, Warren Kronstad, Frank Zillinsky, and Sanjaya Rajaram, among others.
âI met CIMMYT scientist and eventual Nobel Peace laureate, Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, in 1967,â Kohli said. âWe continued to meet every year on his visits to India and, when I was about to finish my Ph.D. in 1970, he invited me to join the team at CIMMYT.â
âIt has been a privilege and honor to have worked alongside many dedicated colleagues at CIMMYT and national programs who have contributed significantly to building research capacities and global food security over the last 50 years. This award is dedicated to all of them and the farmers who have been the primary source of inspiration for our workâ.
AÂ recent webinar organized by CIMMYT brought together three experts to discuss the importance of millets as key contributors to improving food and nutrition security and resilience to climate change. Offering a wealth of knowledge and insights, the panel discussion was moderated by Kevin Pixley, director of the Dryland Crops Program (DCP), who led a dynamic and engaging discussion highlighting CIMMYT’s work on dryland crops, the climate resiliency and versatility of millets, and biofortification initiatives.
“Millet improvement programs are central to regional dryland crop improvement networksâ, stated Harish Gandhi, breeding lead for DCP. Providing a comprehensive overview of the program, Gandhi emphasized its significance in addressing food and nutrition security as well as climate resilience. “With partners, we are co-designing and co-implementing crop improvement strategies, catalyzing the development of effective and sustainable crop improvement networks”, he said. The dryland crop improvement networks bring together 17 National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) in Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa working jointly to cultivate the potential and impacts of sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut, cowpea, bean, pigeon pea and chickpea. The program is aligned with CGIAR and the CIMMYT 2030 Strategy to transform agrifood systems through a dense network of impactful partnerships for enhanced sustainability, productivity and profitability.
The climate resiliency and adaptability of millets to arid and semi-arid regions make them a staple for smallholder farmers in Africa. “Millet is a drought-tolerant, climate-resilient crop with profound nutritional benefits. It’s rich in iron, zinc and other essential nutrients, making it a promising food against malnutrition and diet-related diseases”, emphasized Maryam Dawud, project lead at the Lake Chad Research Institute in Nigeria. Highlighting the significance of millets in building resilient agricultural systems, Dawud also explored innovations in millet consumption in diverse food products, including gluten-free options.
Biofortified pearl millets from South Asia and West Africa. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Mahalingam Govindaraj, senior scientist at HarvestPlus-Alliance Bioversity and CIAT, gave insights into crop biofortification, underlining the pressing need for crop nutritional enhancement due to widespread deficiencies, especially in the Global South. He introduced the HarvestPlus developed Biofortification Priority Index (BPI) which enables decision makers to make informed decisions about crop selection, target nutrients and countries. Additionally, Govindaraj highlighted the success of biofortification in enhancing essential micronutrients, especially in pearl millet, and discussed the science, technology and innovations that help to drive the mainstreaming of biofortification within CGIAR and NARES breeding and testing programs.
During the Q&A session, the speakers addressed questions from the audience of more than 150 participants, clarifying misconceptions and expanding on their subjects. Questions from the engaging audience span a wide range of themes and included the significance of different millet types and why they are frequently grouped together; the correlation between zinc and iron content in pearl millets, particularly in relation to their high fiber content; and the strategic approach of dryland crops in supporting capacity building for the NARES, among many other topics.
As the webinar came to a close, it was evident that millets are more than just cereals; they offer a promising solution to a variety of global food system challenges. From their resilience in harsh climates to their rich nutritional value and potential for innovation in various food products, millets stand as a beacon of hope in developing climate-resilient agriculture for a sustainable future.
Climate change poses a significant challenge to agricultural production and food security worldwide. âRising temperatures, shifting weather patterns and more frequent extreme events have already demonstrated their effects on local, regional and global agricultural systemsâ, says Kevin Pixley, Dryland Crops Program director and Wheat Program director a.i. at CIMMYT. âAs such, crop varieties that can withstand climate-related stresses and are suitable for cultivation in innovative cropping systems will be crucial to maximizing risk avoidance, productivity and profitability under climate-changed environments.â
In a new study published in Molecular Plant, scientists from CIMMYT, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and national agricultural research programs in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda to predict novel traits that might be essential for future varieties of popular crops. Having surveyed nearly 600 agricultural scientists and stakeholders, they identify likely agronomic changes in future cropping systems seeking sustainability, intensification, resilience and productivity under climate change, as well as associated essential and desirable traits, especially those that are not currently prioritized in crop improvement programs.
Focusing on six crops which hold vital importance for African food security and CIMMYT and CGIARâs missionâmaize, sorghum, pearl millet, groundnut, cowpea and common beanâthe authors review opportunities for improving future prioritized traits, as well as those they consider âblind spotsâ among the experts surveyed.
Predicting future essential traits
The results of the study speak to the need for considering cropping systems as central to climate change resilience strategy, as well as the need to reconsider the crop variety traits that will eventually become essential.
Overall, experts who participated in the survey prioritized several future-essential traits that are not already targeted in current breeding programs â mainly water use efficiency in pearl millet, groundnut, and cowpea; adaptation to cropping systems for pearl millet and maize; and suitability for mechanization in groundnut. The survey confirmed that many traits that are already prioritized in current breeding programs will remain essential, which is unsurprising and consistent with other recent findings. While smarter and faster breeding for currently important traits is essential, the authors suggest that failure to anticipate and breed for changing needs and opportunities for novel characteristics in future varieties would be a big mistake, compromising farmersâ resilience, improved livelihood opportunities, and food security in the face of changing climate.
Groundnuts. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Importantly, the authors explain, the predicted future-essential traits include innovative breeding targets that must be prioritized. They point to examples such as improved performance in inter- or relay-crop systems, lower nighttime respiration, improved stover quality, or optimized rhizosphere microbiome, which has benefits for nitrogen, phosphorous and water use efficiency.
The authors emphasize that the greatest challenge to developing crop varieties to win the race between climate change and food security might be innovativeness in defining and boldness to breed for the traits of tomorrow. With this in mind, they outline some of the cutting-edge tools and approaches that can be used to discover, validate and incorporate novel genetic diversity from exotic germplasm into breeding populations with unprecedented precision and speed.
CIMMYT holds the fourth edition of seed and mechanization fairs in Mwenezi and Masvingo rural districts, and introduces a groundbreaking mechanization component thanks to the Feed the Future Zimbabwe Mechanization and Extension Activity.
The future direction of oilseeds appears to be closely tied to patents around seed technology, as industry and governments plan for a net-zero future. CIMMYT’s germplasm bank is available worldwide and relies heavily on collaborations with public and private entities, where breeding is a critical part of partnerships to further foster thriving markets.
Nepal’s traditional farming system faces labor shortages, and climate-induced risks to crop production, infrastructure, investment, and agro-advisory tools. This calls for urgently redesigning agriculture practices and addressing the challenges and a noticeable shift in farmersâ interests in farming practices.
The International Water Management Institute and CIMMYT, in collaboration with local governments in Gurbakot Municipality of Surkhet and Haleshi Tuwachung Municipality of Khotang, conducted research on Sustainable Intensification of Mixed Farming System (SI-MFS), the research found a noticeable shift in farmersâ interests in farming practices.
CIMMYT joins with members of the international development community to mourn the passing of renowned wheat geneticist and âFather of the Green Revolution in India,â Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan who died on September 27 at the age of 98.
Swaminathan devoted his life to sustainably feeding the world. His vision reshaped India almost overnight to a breadbasket for South Asia, through adoption of innovative high-yield wheat varieties and efficient farming techniques for Indian farmers. TIME magazine acclaimed him as one of the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th Century, making him one of three from India to be named alongside Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
M.S. Swaminathan. (Photo: MSSRF)
Swaminathan began his career in the world of academia. After earning his Ph.D. in plant genetics from Cambridge University in 1952, he moved to the United States to continue his research as a professor; however, his home country India eventually called him back home. With the crisis of a rapidly increasing population and low food production, Swaminathan returned to become a scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), where he later served as Director from 1961 to 1972.
It was during this time that he began his collaboration scientist Norman Borlaug, future Nobel Prize laureate and soon to be leader of CIMMYT wheat research. Swaminathan saw the value of the Mexican semi-dwarf wheat varieties, which were developed by Borlaug, for wheat production in India and requested that Borlaug send him a range of breeding materials containing the Norin dwarfing genes. The seeds arrived in 1963 along with Borlaug and the pair travelled the wheat-belt of India. Swaminathan arranged multi-location trials for the varieties and established an inter-disciplinary team to adapt the new varieties for Indian conditions.
Norman Borlaug with Swaminathan and Kohli, key promoters of modern varieties, in a seed production plot, India, 1964. (Photo: CIMMYT)
The next step was convincing local farmers to grow the varieties. By 1966, Swaminathan had established 2,000 model farms where farmers could see for themselves the benefits of the new wheats. Swaminathanâs final act in kickstarting the Green Revolution in India was to successfully lobby the Indian government to import 18,000 tons of the Mexican seed.
Just 4 years later Indiaâs wheat harvest had doubled to 20 million tons, ending the nationâs dependence on wheat imports and saving millions from starvation. Swaminathan continued to work with the Indian government to maintain food security and long-term self-sufficiency across the country and the impact of his work earned him the first World Food Prize in 1987.
Swaminathan held a number of leadership roles in world agricultural and conservation organizations over his lifetime, including the FAO council, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the World Wide Fund for Nature (India), and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He also served as Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Secretary to the Government of India at the Department of Agricultural Research and Education from 1972-79, as well as Director General of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines from 1982-88.
A humanitarian at heart
Not just a scientist, Swaminathan was an advocate and humanitarian. Shortly after winning the World Food Prize, he used the award funds to establish a research center, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in Chennai, India. The MSSRF allowed him to work on his other passion, sustainable development, where he coordinated research and action on conservation of endangered species, protection of coastal ecosystems, precision farming, ecotechnology, community education and technical training, and programs for rural internet access.
M.S. Swaminathan won the World Food Prize in 1987. (Photo: World Food Prize)
He has received 84 honorary doctorate degrees from universities around the world and multiple awards including the Padma Shri (1967), Padma Bhushan (1972) and Padma Vibushan (1989) â the fourth, third and second highest civilian awards in India. He has also won numerous international awards including the 1994 UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize, the UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal in 1999 and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award in 2000.
âHe was a real gentleman with a sharp memory,â recalls CIMMYT distinguished scientist Ravi Singh. âI always admired his capacity and his ability to link complicated topics into a nice synthesis.â
He was an inspiration to thousands and will be greatly missed for his scientific brilliance, his pioneering advocacy and humanitarianism, and his life mission to reduce world hunger through improved technology for citizens from all levels of society.
The CIMMYT family extends its deepest condolences to the Swaminathan family.
CIMMYT participated in the inaugural Global Conference on Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) from September 27-29, 2023. The gathering provided space for focused dialogues to prioritize actions and strengthen technical networks for sustainable development of agricultural mechanization.
Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT director general, presented a keynote address on September 27 regarding climate change and mechanization. As a global thought leader and change agent for climate resilient, sustainable and inclusive agricultural development, CIMMYT has many specific initiatives centered on mechanization for facilitating machine innovations and scaling-up improved farming practices for sustainability and farmer competitiveness.
Bram Govaerts delivered a keynote address. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Collaboration is a hallmark of CIMMYTâs endeavors in mechanization, including a strong partnership with local governments across Latin America, Africa and Asia, and international cooperation agencies, supporting the Green Innovations Centers installed by GIZ-BMZ and working on accelerated delivery models together with USAID, in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, to name only a few. Further, local value chain actor engagement is crucial and necessary in this work to connect farmers with viable solutions.
CIMMYT has a long history of leading projects aimed at mechanizing the agricultural efforts of smallholder farmers, including the successful MasAgro Productor in Mexico and FACASI (farm mechanization and conservation agriculture for sustainable intensification) in East and South Africa. At present, the Harnessing Appropriate-Scale Farm Mechanization in Zimbabwe (HAFIZ) project is working towards to improve access to mechanization and reduce labor drudgery while stimulating the adoption of climate-smart/sustainable intensification technologies. The project engages deeply with the private sector in Zimbabwe and South Africa to ensure long-term efficacy.
The Scaling Out Small Mechanization in the Ethiopian Highlands project was active from 2017 to 2022 and increased access for smallholder farmers to planting and harvesting machines. Farmers using two-wheel tractors furnished by the project reduced the time needed to establish a wheat crop from 100 hours per hectare to fewer than 10 hours. CIMMYTâs work was in partnership with the Africa-RISING program led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Ethiopia.
âAt CIMMYT, we work knowing that mechanization is a system, not only a technology,â said Govaerts. âSustainable mechanization efforts require infrastructure like delivery networks, spare parts and capacity development. Working with local partners is the best way to ensure that any mechanization effort reaches the right people with the right support.â
Read these stories about CIMMYTâs efforts to support equal access to agricultural mechanization and scaling up within local contexts.
Mechanization is a process of introducing technology or farm equipment to increase field efficiency. CIMMYTâs mechanization work is context specific, to help farmers have access to the appropriate tools that are new, smart and ideal for their unique farming conditions.
Working with the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), CIMMYT is leading mechanization efforts in Northern India. Combined with sustainable agriculture, the next generation of farmers now have access to tractors, seeders and other tools that are increasing yield and reducing back-breaking labor.
Gangesh Pathak with his father at the custom hiring center which provides custom hiring services to smallholder farmers in the region. (Photo: Vijay K. Srivastava/CIMMYT)
The delivery of row seeders from India to Benin demonstrates a new path to sustainable South-South business relationships. Developed in India in an iterative design process with farmers, portable row seeders have been a great success. Working with GIC, CIMMYT facilitated a technology and materiel transfer of the portable row seeders to Benin.
A farmer pulls a row seeder in Benin, West Africa. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Peanuts thrive as a crop in Togo and other West Africa countries, but post-harvest is threatened by aflatoxins, so the entire crop needs to dry. Traditionally, farmers, often women, have dried the peanuts in the open air, subject to weather and other pests. However, CIMMYT, working with GIC, has introduced solar-powered dryers, which speeds up the drying process by a factor of four.
Working with partners in Burkina Faso, CIMMYT is facilitating smallholder mechanization with a model of cascading effects: one farmer mechanizing can then use their skills and eqBMZuipment to help their neighbors, leading to community-wide benefits.
Pinnot Karwizi fills a mechanized sheller with dried maize cobs. (Photo: Matthew OâLeary/CIMMYT)
Visit our mechanization page to read stories about ongoing mechanization initiatives.
In a September 12 visit to CIMMYT facilities on the agricultural research station of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) at Kiboko, Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT director general, extolled the longstanding partnership with KALRO and suggested creating a platform to speed access of national researchers to improved breeding lines and populations.
Located 155 kilometers southeast of Nairobi in a dryland area better suited to raising cattle, goats, sheep, and camels than row crops, the Kiboko station comprises more than 15,000 hectares, with controlled irrigation systems, and has allowed efficient selection for tolerance to drought and insect pests in Africa-adapted maize, as well as the development of dryland crops such as pigeon pea, sorghum and groundnuts.
“Our recent work where we open up our maize and wheat research platform for dryland crops highlights CIMMYT efforts to diversify cropping options for farmers in challenging settings, enhancing their livelihoods and farming system resilience,â Govaerts said.
Govaerts, Das and Beyene listen to laboratory staff explain advances in climate-resilient maize. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)
Yoseph Beyene, CIMMYT maize breeding coordinator for Africa, described collaborative efforts to speed the breeding and deployment of climate-resilient varieties. âThis work covers maize breeding and seed system networks, participatory engagement with farming communities through on-farm trials, interactions and sharing with global partners, and documenting the adoption of stress tolerant maize in sub-Saharan Africa,â Beyene explained.
CIMMYT data show that drought-tolerant maize varieties derived from shared research of the Center, CGIAR and partners are being sown on more than 6 million hectares in 9 countries of eastern and southern Africa, benefitting an estimated 38 million people and producing additional grain worth as much as US$1.5 billion each year.
Beyene added that the expansion of on-farm testing to over 1,000 locations in eastern and southern Africa has enabled CIMMYT to assess preferences and genotype-by-environment interactions which, along with support from the seed systems team regarding small-scale farmersâ acceptance of drought-tolerant maize hybrids, have underpinned the development of successful hybrids.
A prominent stop on Govaertsâs tour was the maize double haploid (DH) facility established in Kiboko in 2013, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Govaerts examines improved fall armyworm tolerant experimental varieties. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)
Long used by private seed companies, the double haploid approach generates inbred lines that are completely âhomozygous,â wherein genes on each pair of chromosomes are identical. It achieves this in a single year, compared to three to four years for conventional inbreeding, which can produce lines that may not be purely homozygous and are thus less useful for breeders.
âThe facility offers double haploid line production services for organizations throughout Africa and is key to increasing genetic gains in maize breeding,â said Aparna Das, technical program manager for CIMMYTâs Global Maize Program.
Govaerts also visited the fall armyworm (FAW) artificial screening site and experiments in which CIMMYT scientists are evaluating five new FAW-tolerant experimental varieties for possible sharing with partners. In the fall armyworm screening facility, a team works to integrate and test ecofriendly crop management solutions against fall armyworm, critical research to safeguard agricultural production against this highly destructive insect pest.
âThe excellent teamwork and facilities at Kiboko point up multiple opportunities for KALRO and CIMMYT to continue joint work that advances agricultural science to benefit farmers and consumers,â Govaerts concluded.
For the sixth installment of the ongoing seminar series on womenâs leadershipâCatalysts of Change: Women Leaders in ScienceâCIMMYT had the opportunity to interact with Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR. This session was held when Ismahane was Chief Scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
At the outset, Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT, introduced Ismahane as a strong advocate for diversifying into neglected and underutilized crops and rethinking the food system as a whole. âShe is an early advocate for resilience and inclusion from a human and biological perspective, is internationally known for promoting the use of non-fresh water in agriculture, and empowering women in science,â he said.
From fighter pilot to agricultural scientist
Ismahane outlined her career trajectoryâher initial fascination with the sciences, particularly in biology and genetics, during school; how her military training in Morocco to become the nationâs first female fighter pilot had to be aborted, prompting her to pursue a new career; her subsequent enrollment in an agricultural college, as other specialized institutions did not have available seats; and how, despite the hiccups, she went on to obtain a Masterâs degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding, followed by a Ph.D. in Genetics.
âI do not succumb easily to discouragement, certainly not to prejudice or naysayers,â she stated. âCuriosity and perseverance have consistently guided me over the past 25 years of my career.â
Diverse background leads to diverse thinking
Ismahane describes herself as a mother of two wonderful children, a Moroccan who immigrated to Canada, an Arab Muslim woman, and a passionate advocate for genetics.
Coming from a family of six daughters, she noted that discrimination or favoritism played no role in her upbringing. âMy parents encouraged our curiosity and instilled in us a love for learning and sharing knowledge,â she said. Ismahane selected her fellowship opportunities with ICARDA and CIMMYT due to their international exposure, which enabled her to move from laboratory to laboratory and university to university, allowing her to explore new technologies and engage in global projects.
In each setting, she learned more than just science. âI learned how to deal with people, appreciate diverse cultures, languages, and food.â She stressed the importance of learning new languages and how learning Spanish opened doors for her in Latin America. âNot understanding each other makes us defensive, leading to problems in the world,â she told her audience.
More scientists needed in management
At a point in her life when she wanted to settle down and have a family, Ismahane migrated to Canadaâwhat she calls âa new chapter.â In Canada, she got a chance to work with the federal government in Ottawa and gained experience in science management. âIt made me look at science differentlyâhow budgets are allocated, how performance is measured, how to work with different stakeholders. This was a big learning curve for me,â she said, adding that if we want science to be heard and used in policy and budget decisions, we need more scientists in management. âYou canât let lawyers and finance people run the shop.â
After moving across different management roles, she realized that her calling was international development. âIt took me going to Canada, being part of Canada’s systems and bureaucracy, and learning science management to realize that my heart lies in international development using science, tech, and innovation.â
She also shared insights about her strategic work at FAO, which aimed to achieve the âfour bettersââbetter production, better nutrition, better environments, and better life, leaving no one behind. âFor me, leaving no one behind and having a better life for everybody based on agriculture is very important,â she shared.
In a follow-up interview with Andrea Gardeazabal, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager – ICT for Agriculture at CIMMYT, Ismahane shared some challenges of being a woman leader or scientist in a male-dominated field.
âThey are the same challenges as those of being a good scientist: finding the right subject, securing the right resources, and having the right partners. But for women, particularly young women, you also have to prove yourself in a new place,â she said.
Her advice to younger women in science was: âYou have to like what you’re doing or move on. By moving, you grow. There are so many opportunities, and so much to do. Hence, be in a place that you like. Believing in what you do and enjoying it makes the difference.â
Changes needed to make research organizations more inclusive
Ismahane shared that organizational policies aimed at supporting women must address the fundamental biological needs of women, allowing them to fulfill their roles as mothers and maintain their families. For that, a robust support system within the workplace is essential.
âIn all sectors, but more in science and agriculture, we need positive discrimination,â she said. She explained that this does not imply selecting women who lack qualifications; rather, it means providing opportunities for qualified women to enter and excel in these fields. âIt will be necessary to maintain such measures for the next 50 to 70 years to promote a more balanced workforce, because right now the numbers are not encouraging at all, particularly when you go into senior management,â she said. âWe need to put in place policies that encourage women to continue in their careers,â she added.
Key insights about building resilient and sustainable agri-food systems
Ismahane pointed out how historically the agricultural sector has focused on a limited number of species because of economic restraints, which rendered the agriculture sector susceptible to climate change and a contributor to the problem. âTransformation of the agri-food system is a mustâit’s not optional. We must create a system that is more resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and efficient,â she emphasized.
Ismahane also pointed out how the logistics of moving agricultural commodities globally often do not make sense and can worsen greenhouse gas emissions. âCurrently, data related to commodity transport and emissions are largely controlled by multinational companies, who rarely share this information,â she said. Leveraging traceability to assess the carbon footprint of commodities can promote responsible trading and support local and regional production, she explained.
