Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for leading an agricultural revolution in Mexico, specifically in the Yaqui Valley in Sonora, where he developed high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties that helped save the lives of thousands threatened by hunger.
Evangelina Villegas, together with Dr. Surinder Vasal (left) and Norman Borlaug (second from right), share a moment together. (Photo: CIMMYT)
His legacy, driven by CIMMYT in collaboration with the Government of Mexico, has had a profound and lasting impact on global food security. This legacy has inspired and empowered the role of numerous women in agricultural science, encouraging them to lead innovative and essential research to address global food challenges.
Among the women who have stood out due to this influence is Evangelina Villegas, a Mexican scientist whose pioneering work in nutritional maize improvement had a global impact. Together with Dr. Surinder Vasal, Villegas developed quality protein maize (QPM), an innovation that significantly reduced malnutrition and improved nutritional quality for millions of people in developing countries. For these contributions, Evangelina Villegas was awarded the World Food Prize in 2000, becoming the first woman to receive this prestigious honor.
Beyond her scientific achievements, Evangelina Villegas stood out for her commitment to mentoring new generations of researchers, especially women. Her efforts opened doors for more women scientists to participate in high-impact social projects, establishing her as a role model for female leadership in agricultural science.
Villegas’s career clearly reflects the continuation of the social and scientific commitment initiated by Borlaug. Her example highlights how his legacy has not only positively influenced science but also played a crucial role in advancing gender equity within the agricultural and scientific sectors.
An award presented to Evangelina Villegas for the 2000 World Food Prize, recognizing her contribution to global food security. (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
Today, the life and work of Evangelina Villegas continue to inspire young women researchers, demonstrating how fostering female leadership in agriculture is essential for building sustainable, inclusive, and equitable food systems capable of addressing current and future challenges.
Evangelina Villegas in her laboratory conducting analyses that led to the development of quality protein maize (QPM). (Photo: CIMMYT)
Regional partners in front of the CIMMYT maize lines displayed during field day. (CIMMYT)
Every year, public and private sector partners participate at The International Maize Improvement Consortium for Africa (IMIC-Africa) Field Day for Southern Africa, a unique event that seeks to transform the maize sector. The 2025 field day, hosted at the University of Zimbabwe farm on April 9th, brought together an eclectic blend of partners from seven African countries, including long-standing collaborators and new entrants such as AMAC Seeds and Grow Trade Seeds. Moving beyond just showcasing key achievements and new germplasm to partners, the field day fostered critical and meaningful discussions and experience sharing among partners, from lab to farm.
By offering access to both early- and advanced-generation maize lines, the event was a critical intersection point where public and private players align to tackle the continent’s most pressing agricultural challenges. In addition, members have the opportunity to test their pre-commercial hybrids through CIMMYT-led multi-location trials, ensuring that the products are carefully evaluated across diverse agroecologies and for essential traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance and high yield potential. It also provides an avenue for suggesting improvements to the demonstrations, ranging from labelling.
We took time to get a clear perspective from CIMMYT scientists, private and public sector representatives.
Q: How important is the IMIC-Africa Field day in addressing maize sector challenges?
“Success of breeding programs is hinged on injection of new genetics that drive gains. Developing high value inbred and donor lines is an expensive process and platforms such as IMIC Africa help reduce product development costs in maize breeding programs of the partners and reduce time taken to deliver solutions to farmers,” emphasized Aparna Das, Senior Technical Program Manager for the Global Maize Program.
“It is rare to get an opportunity to observe and select hundreds of lines in one location as it offers each participant an opportunity to see the performance potential of each line at a glance” said James Gethi, southern Africa Seed Systems Specialist and IMIC Africa southern Africa coordinator.
Mainassara Zaman-Allah, CIMMYT’s Country Representative for Zimbabwe, reflected on the core strengths of the consortium, “It has been 8 years since the launch of the initiative, and one of the core strengths of IMIC-Africa is its inclusivity. Whether from a national agricultural research institution, maize seed company or international agricultural research organizations, IMIC-Africa opens its doors for all involved in maize breeding for the African market. This diversity enables us to leverage a broad range of expertise and resources, to articulate the challenges faced by African farmers.”
Q: What impact have the maize lines had on breeding programs?
“We have seen major improvements in the vigor of materials displayed that open a new frontier for single cross hybrid varieties development” commented Oswell Ndoro from AMAC seeds, a new member of IMIC Africa, signalling optimism for the future.
Walter Trevisan, consultant for Helix Seeds, praised CIMMYT’s Zimbabwe scientists for their collaborative support in selections, “Thank you very much for this outstanding work! We sure appreciate the help of the CIMMYT Zimbabwe scientists in helping us with this task.”
Davison Chaingeni from ARISS, formerly DR&SS Zimbabwe, echoed this, “We continue to see value in getting more DH-based lines. We hope the vigor translates to yield.”
Q: Take us through on what was on offer in the field, where science meets need and demand.
“An array of 624 CIMMYT maize lines were on display, which consisted of 614 new lines from 4 different product profiles providing insights into the performance of different materials. The materials span early-, intermediate, and late- maturity groups to nutritious maize breeding pipelines. A critical component of the field display was trait donor lines where 5 lines were on display for selection. The traits donor lines on display were for drought, drought & heat and Low N & MLN tolerance. This comprehensive showcase enabled seed companies and NARS partners to make informed selections, tailored to their breeding needs,” Gethi explained.
Development of provitamin A-enriched maize (PVA) addresses one of the emerging challenges in combating hidden hunger and animal feed. He further adds, “On display were 126 lines originating from the PVA-enriched maize breeding pipeline. The efforts underscore CIMMYT’s commitment to address regional nutritional needs through targeted breeding initiatives.”
IMIC-Africa lines on display showing differences in phenotype for exploitation by partners (CIMMYT)
Q: What improvements would partners like to see moving forward?
Amsal Tarekegne, head of breeding at Zamseed Seed Company, pointed to a practical bottleneck, “It is a challenge understanding the pedigree information provided in the field book due to its length.”
Yet, the road ahead still demands refinement. Lubasi Sinyinda from Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), one of the NARS partners in IMIC-Africa since its inception, noted, “I would like to see more fall armyworm (FAW) and heat-tolerant lines displayed.”
For new entrants like Petros Guveya of Grow Trade Seed company, navigating CIMMYT’s updated heterotic groupings was a challenge, underlining the need for improved orientation for first-time participants.
On the brighter side, Themba Mutuvira complimented the design of the fields by indicating they were easy to navigate through. “The fields were well labelled, and we had no challenges at all identifying the materials”
A living laboratory for Africa’s Maize future
The 2025 IMIC-Africa Field Day was not just an event, but a living laboratory of innovation, critique, and partnership. In the face of mounting climate pressures, pest threats, and nutritional gaps, such platforms offer a rare and invaluable opportunity for the maize breeding community to align, adapt, and accelerate. As IMIC-Africa evolves, the call from partners is clear: deepen inclusivity, enhance clarity, and continually refine the experience to ensure that each plot, each line translates into impact on the farm and food on the table. The future of Africa’s maize sector will be built not in silos, but in such collaborative spaces where science meets the lived realities of farmers and seed companies alike.
MEXICO CITY — CIMMYT and the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg ) accelerated its global partnership by launching a new WorldVeg office in Mexico at CIMMYT’s headquarters. This joint location will provide improved nutrition, soil health and earning potential for global farmers.
“When vegetables and cereals grow together, the benefits multiply for people and the planet,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT.
Govaerts said he is eager to scale a proven global track record of collaboration across Mexico, Latin America and the wider world. CIMMYT and WorldVeg’s partnership is already delivering results in Mexico and Central America. For years, the organizations have collaborated to improve production in the traditional milpa system—where maize is grown with beans and squash, often known as the “three sisters.” Collaboration increased yields, helped balance diets and conserved biodiversity.
The collaboration also builds on the more than 100,000 people reached in Sudan, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia through CIMMYT and WorldVeg collaboration. These joint projects have improved dietary diversity, soil health and incomes by cultivating both vegetables and cereals. In Tanzania alone, the collaboration has increased the sales of value-added products by 50%.
“This partnership represents tangible, scalable diversification options for farmers,” said Marco Wopereis, Director General of WorldVeg. “Integrating vegetables into cereal systems improves nutrition, raises incomes, and builds sustainability, beginning in Mexico and expanding globally.”
Led by WorldVeg Scientist Roland Schafleitner, the WorldVeg Mexico office in partnership with CIMMYT, local universities, research organizations and farmers will identify and promote adapted vegetable varieties suitable for smallholder production, as well as intercropping systems.
This initiative will improve supply of nutrient-rich vegetables that directly address the pressing global challenge highlighted by a 2020 FAO report—that over 3 billion people worldwide lack affordable access to diverse and nutritious diets.
“Whether it is in the field or on plates – cereals and vegetables go better together,” said Govaerts. “This marks an acceleration CIMMYT’s efforts to work with other organizations that share in our mission to advance a more food- and nutrition-secure world for all. We are eager to partner with other organizations that share this focus.”
The strategic alliance between CIMMYT and WorldVeg marks the first of several anticipated collaborations, transforming CIMMYT’s global headquarters into a hub for food and agricultural innovation.
CIMMYT and the World Vegetable Center inaugurate their new office at CIMMYT headquarters (Photo: CIMMYT)
About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, nonprofit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working toward a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org.
About WorldVeg
WorldVeg is an international non-profit institute for research and development of vegetable technologies. It mobilizes resources from the public and private sectors to realize the potential of vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. WorldVeg’s improved varieties, production and postharvest methods help farmers increase vegetable harvests, raise incomes in poor rural and urban households, create jobs, and provide healthier, more nutritious diets for families and communities.Headquartered in Taiwan, it operates in 15 countries.More information: worldveg.org.
As a key partner in the release of Nigeria’s first biofortified hybrid pearl millet varieties, CIMMYT contributed its scientific expertise and commitment to advancing climate-resilient, nutrition-rich crops for smallholder farmers. Collaborating closely with ICRISAT, HarvestPlus, and the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), CIMMYT played a pivotal role in supporting the development and scaling of high-yielding, early-maturing millet hybrids enhanced with iron and zinc. This effort reflects CIMMYT’s broader mission to strengthen agrifood systems through innovation and partnership, addressing the dual challenges of malnutrition and climate stress while empowering rural communities across Nigeria’s drylands.
Nestled amidst the enchanting Eastern Ghats in southern Odisha lies Koraput district, where agriculture is more than just a livelihood — it is a vital part of cultural identity. For Ranti Golari, a 58-year-old farmer from Jantaput village, this bond with the land runs deep. Yet, like many women farmers in her community, she faces numerous challenges. As she explains, “Reaching the marketplace is time-consuming,” she says, “and often, I return home empty-handed because there are no seeds available.”
Ranti Galori portrait (Photo: TAFFSA)
A Deep-Rooted Farming Heritage
Koraput’s agricultural heritage is as unique as its landscape. For centuries, tribal communities have cultivated this land using practices passed down through generations. Their traditional methods received global recognition in 2012 when the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designated Koraput as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. This accolade celebrates their sustainable practices, which preserve native biodiversity, ensure food security, and protect the environment.
Local farmers possess an intrinsic understanding of their land, knowing precisely which crops will thrive in each season and how to maintain soil health. However, behind this legacy lies a complex web of challenges that threaten the region’s agricultural sustainability.
Better seed quality means better yields. (Photo: TAFFSA)
Challenges Beneath the Surface
Although agriculture employs 44% of Odisha’s workforce, it contributes only 24% to the state’s economy, reflecting low productivity and incomes.
Land fragmentation is a critical issue — 93% of farmers own less than two hectares, with the average size shrinking to just 0.95 hectares. These scattered plots reduce bargaining power and limit access to quality inputs and advanced farming technologies. Koraput’s remote location exacerbates these problems, leaving farmers disconnected from market trends and newer farming practices.
Women farmers, who make up 57% of Odisha’s agricultural workforce, face additional barriers. Weekly markets, known as padwas, are often 10 kilometers away, requiring arduous travel through rugged terrain. Limited transport and safety concerns compound their struggles. The unreliable quality of seed, often untreated or mixed with inferior varieties, further undermines their efforts.
Women farmers with their potato harvest (Photo: TAFFSA)
Economic constraints further compound the problem. High seed costs, limited credit access, and weak market bargaining power trap farmers in a cycle of low productivity and profitability. As Ranti poignantly puts it, “Sometimes, the harvest barely matches the seeds we sow. Five bags sown and five bags harvested — how can farming be beneficial?”
A Solution Through Smallholder Aggregation
The Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) initiative introduced the innovative Small Farmers Large Field (SFLF) model to address these challenges. This approach aggregates fragmented land holdings and promotes collaboration among smallholder farmers.
Potatoes, with their rapid growth and soil-building properties, proved to be an ideal crop for the region. Rich in nutrients and widely accepted in the local diet, potatoes offer consistent market demand and opportunities for value-added processing.
In Kharif 2023, 54 farmers participated in the SFLF pilot, which focused on four key pillars:
Access to quality seed: Farmers received standardized potato seed tubers, rigorously graded and sorted for quality.
Streamlined seed delivery: Seeds were distributed directly to villages, saving time and transportation costs, especially for women farmers.
Knowledge enhancement: Workshops and trainings, conducted in partnership with the local NGO Pragati, empowered farmers with improved agricultural practices.
Market integration: By linking farmers to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), the initiative strengthened their collective bargaining power, enabling them to obtain better prices for quality produce.
Women farmers showcase proudly showcase their potato harvest (Photo: TAFFSA)
Economic Opportunities and Impact
As the world’s second-largest producer of potatoes, India offers immense potential for the crop. The introduction of rainy season potato production in Koraput allows farmers to supply fresh produce when market demand peaks, ensuring higher profits.
The impact of the SFLF initiative goes beyond economic gains. Reduced input costs, increased yields, and diversified incomes have improved financial stability, allowing families to invest in education and healthcare. Socially, the program fosters community bonds and empowers farmers through collective action and resource sharing.
Looking Ahead
The success of the SFLF model underscores the importance of targeted interventions that address seed quality, market access, and knowledge gaps. For farmers like Ranti, these changes mean more than agricultural improvement — they represent hope for preserving their heritage while building a sustainable future.
Koraput’s journey illustrates that agricultural transformation thrives when economic progress aligns with cultural preservation. As these farmers innovate and adapt, their experiences offer valuable lessons for similar regions across India.
Farmers carrying potatoes harvested from the field (Photo: TAFSSA)
CIMMYT is a key partner through which Mexico supports Ethiopia’s efforts to modernize its agricultural sector. During a meeting with the Mexican Ambassador to Ethiopia, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Girma Amente reaffirmed the country’s interest in working with Mexico to promote agricultural technologies, enhance the value chain of Bonga Products, and develop areas such as irrigation, durum wheat, soil health, and the Green Legacy initiative. He specifically requested that Mexico continue its support through CIMMYT and encouraged Mexican private investors to engage in processing agricultural products and meeting the growing mechanization needs of Ethiopian farmers.
CIMMYT is happy to announce seven new, improved tropical maize hybrids that are now available for uptake by public and private sector partners, especially those interested in marketing or disseminating hybrid maize seed across Eastern Africa and similar agro-ecologies in other regions. NARES and seed companies are hereby invited to apply for licenses to pursue national release, scale-up seed production, and deliver these maize hybrids to farming communities.
The deadline for submitting applications to be considered during the first round of allocations is 14 May 2025. Applications received after that deadline will be considered during subsequent rounds of product allocations.
The newly available CIMMYT maize hybrids were identified through rigorous, years-long trialing and a stage-gate advancement process which culminated in the Results of the CIMMYT Eastern Africa Maize Regional On-Station (2023 Stage 4) and On-Farm (2024 Stage 5) Trials On-Farm Trials. The products were found to meet the stringent performance and farmer acceptance criteria for CIMMYT’s breeding pipelines that are designed to generate products tailored in particular for smallholder farmers in stress-prone agro-ecologies of Eastern Africa.
Extensive multi-year field trials conducted by CIMMYT in Mexico played a pivotal role in validating the efficacy of the Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) spray treatment, confirming its potential to boost wheat yields by up to 12%. Despite challenges posed by fluctuating rainfall—an increasingly common constraint under climate change—CIMMYT’s trial plots consistently outperformed untreated controls across four consecutive crop cycles. These results underscore CIMMYT’s leadership in translating laboratory innovations into resilient, field-ready solutions that enhance food security while advancing sustainable agrifood systems in diverse agroecological conditions.
CIMMYT is pleased to announce the appointment of Flavio Breseghello as the new Director of the Global Wheat Program. A renowned wheat breeder and leader in agricultural research, Breseghello will guide CIMMYT’s flagship wheat initiative at a pivotal moment for global food security.
“CIMMYT’s wheat program has long been a cornerstone of global food security,” said Breseghello. “I’m honored to contribute to this legacy, while helping shape its future in the face of new challenges.”
With over two decades of experience advancing wheat research in Brazil and internationally, Breseghello brings scientific expertise and strategic vision to the role. His appointment underscores CIMMYT’s commitment to science-driven innovation that responds to evolving global needs—particularly in low- and middle-income countries where wheat is a staple crop and climate resilience is increasingly urgent.
“Climate change is reshaping the risks and realities for wheat farmers in low- and middle-income countries,” Breseghello said. “Our challenge—together with our partners—is to stay ahead of these threats with science that is inclusive, adaptive, and driven by the needs of the most vulnerable.”
CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program is at the forefront of developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant wheat varieties that feed over 2.5 billion people around the world. As director, Breseghello will lead efforts to strengthen international research collaboration, expand capacity building, and ensure the program’s innovations reach those who need them most.
“Flavio is a globally respected leader whose deep experience and inclusive approach will be a tremendous asset to the program and to the global wheat community,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT. “We are thrilled to welcome him to this vital role.”
In a world where environmental and agrifood challenges demand urgent responses, the CGIAR-led Positive Solutions for Nature (Nature+) initiative is transforming agriculture into a catalyst for ecological regeneration and sustainable development.
In Colombia, CIMMYT has played a key role in implementing several activities under this initiative. These efforts have not only improved agricultural productivity but also promoted biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and the strengthening of rural communities—with a special focus on youth, women, and native maize.
One of the first steps in Colombia was conducting a diagnosis and mapping key actors within agrifood systems across different regions. This assessment identified major challenges such as limited access to native seeds, soil degradation, and lack of access to fair market opportunities for smallholder farmers.
To ensure that promoted practices aligned with local realities and needs, CIMMYT worked closely with farmers to co-create solutions. A significant example was the support given to women producers to conserve native maize varieties. Workshops held in Cesar, Nariño, Putumayo, and Valle del Cauca included childcare spaces, enabling full participation by women.
Another important milestone was facilitating dialogue between producers and niche markets, helping connect farmers growing native maize with potential buyers. This has been key to revitalizing the value chain for these crops. In parallel, twelve community seed banks were strengthened in various regions, ensuring the availability of native varieties and encouraging intergenerational knowledge exchange.
CIMMYT also conducted extensive training activities, benefiting hundreds of farmers in the post-harvest management of native grains and seeds. In workshops held during 2023 and 2024, over 780 producers—many of them women—received training in practices such as harvesting, drying, shelling, and hermetic storage, which reduced post-harvest losses and improved seed quality.
Infrastructure improvements further supported these efforts. One standout example is the YEL-PUE Cumbe seed bank in Cumbal, Nariño—established with support from CIMMYT and the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance. This seed bank not only conserves agricultural biodiversity but also serves as an intergenerational learning hub, where farmers, students, and technicians share experiences and knowledge.
A key component of the initiative has been youth participation. Through collaboration with the José María Falla Educational Institution and youth networks like Herederos del Planeta, students have engaged in agroecological maize production. This involvement fosters stronger rural ties and ensures the continuity of traditional knowledge for future generations.
While challenges remain, the implementation of Positive Solutions for Nature in Colombia has demonstrated that agricultural production can go hand in hand with environmental conservation and community well-being. Thanks to collaborations with research centers such as CIMMYT, many Colombian farmers are now adopting regenerative practices, enhancing agrobiodiversity and boosting resilience to both climate and economic shocks.
Looking ahead, these efforts will continue within the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Science Program. CIMMYT, in collaboration with other CGIAR centers, will focus on participatory varietal selection, business models to enhance the value of agrobiodiversity, connections to niche markets, and the empowerment of women as agents of biodiversity conservation.
Pest and disease outbreaks in agriculture are increasing at an alarming rate due to the impacts of climate change, with shifting temperatures and erratic weather patterns creating favorable conditions for pests and pathogens to thrive. This growing challenge threatens crop yields and food security across climate-vulnerable regions. Dr. Prasanna Boddupalli, Distinguished Scientist and Regional Director for Asia at CIMMYT, underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient, pest- and disease-resistant crop varieties, alongside robust surveillance systems and strengthened capacity building. Addressing these risks through integrated, science-driven strategies is vital to safeguarding plant health and securing resilient agrifood systems for the future.
Photo caption: Ernest W. Sprague, director of CIMMYT’s maize program during 1970-1983 (Photo: CIMMYT)
Architect of CIMMYT maize research during the 1970s, Ernest W. Sprague pulled together a coherent global program from diverse regional and country initiatives in Latin America, Asia, and eastern Africa, building partnerships with national maize research programs to serve smallholder farmers.
On 25 February, Ernest W. Sprague, who served as Maize Program Director at CIMMYT from 1970 to 1983, passed away at the age of 100.
Sprague led the development and adoption of systematic approaches for breeding improved maize populations adapted to the tropics and subtropics, including the international testing of varieties and crosses at scale.
After leading the Inter-Asian Corn Program established by the Rockefeller Foundation in Thailand in 1966, Sprague joined CIMMYT, where he vigorously championed the role of open-pollinated maize varieties (OPVs) for smallholder farmers in rain-fed maize cropping areas. These farmers often faced diseases, pests, and drought and lacked access to or could not afford hybrid seed or large quantities of fertilizer.
OPVs generally yield less grain than maize hybrids but are often preferred by smallholders for their suitability in local foods. They can also be grown by saving and sowing seed from previous harvests without sacrificing yield or other qualities—a problem that arises when grain harvested from hybrids is replanted.
In Thailand, Sprague had witnessed a thriving maize sector powered by the widespread adoption of an improved OPV known as “Suwan 1.” Conversely, he believed that hybrid seed systems designed to serve small-scale farmers were lagging in many other countries where CIMMYT worked.
“From the late 1980s, CIMMYT has worked successfully to develop and share hundreds of maize inbred lines—parents for high-yielding hybrids that feature farmer-preferred traits—as well as supporting and partnering with competitive private seed sector companies that truly benefit smallholder maize farmers,” said Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT Director General. “Still, population improvement in the OPV breeding program under Sprague’s leadership clearly contributed to the success of CIMMYT’s hybrid research by increasing the average performance of lines extracted from those populations.”
In addition, much of CIMMYT’s research on hybrid breeding for tropical maize in the 1980s and 1990s was led by Surinder K. Vasal, an Indian maize scientist brought to CIMMYT by Sprague.
Vasal’s pre-biotech research, together with CIMMYT cereal chemist Evangelina Villegas, led to the development of quality protein maize (QPM), whose grain contains enhanced levels of two amino acids essential for human protein synthesis. This groundbreaking work—initiated by Sprague—was recognized with their joint reception of the 2000 World Food Prize.
Building up partners and partnerships
Sprague was a strong proponent of in-service training at CIMMYT headquarters in Mexico for young researchers from partner countries. These courses were formally organized and scaled up in the early 1970s as a major component of CIMMYT’s maize program. Participants worked for several months within the main breeding or production programs, usually in the lowland tropics of Mexico, gaining hands-on skills in the field through activities such as laying out on-farm trials, selecting germplasm, making crosses, and evaluating results. By 1982, the program had graduated 650 maize scientists from 61 countries. Many alumni rose to influential positions in national programs or the private sector, thereby strengthening regional cooperative maize research networks.
“Ernie was my boss when I first arrived as a postdoc to CIMMYT in 1976, and I was always amazed at his commitment to high-quality field work,” said Greg Edmeades, a maize physiologist whose research accomplishments included methods to select for drought tolerance in maize. “I will always remember Ernie as a friend and a great supporter of the task we faced in Ghana, where I worked as a maize agronomist and lived with my family during 1979–84. He thought often of the challenges that we as a family faced with frequent water and power cuts and generously provided support. I was always amazed at his stamina and his capacity to survive and keep fit and well on black coffee alone in the mornings and no major meal until evening.
“Sprague’s contributions to CIMMYT were significant. The setting up of the international testing system was his baby and a masterpiece in getting CIMMYT germplasm out to national programs. He elevated the status of national programs in all sorts of ways, not the least of which was training.”
The CIMMYT global community joins in remembering Ernie Sprague and extends heartfelt condolences to his family.
The One Health approach, which connects human, animal, and environmental health, is increasingly shaping agricultural research to address global health and food security challenges. During CGIAR Science Week, experts highlighted the need for cross sector collaboration and evidence based policy. CIMMYT’s Dr. Jordon Chamberlin shared how research on livestock health and sustainable farming aligns with this approach, supporting integrated solutions for resilient agrifood systems.
This strategic partnership aims to advance productivity, resilience, and economic opportunities for farmers by leveraging science, technology, and strong international collaboration. The MoU focuses on key areas such as innovation and bioeconomy, trade and regional integration, climate-resilient agriculture, family farming, agrifood digitalization, and agricultural health and safety.
Dr. Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT, highlighted the importance of innovation and market-driven solutions: “Partnerships like CIMMYT–IICA turn science into scale. Together, we’re accelerating innovation, supporting farmers, and strengthening food systems across the Americas—because global challenges demand connected solutions.”
Dr. Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, added: “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to strengthening agricultural resilience, enhancing food security, and promoting economic growth in rural areas. With the increasing global demand for transforming food systems, IICA views this partnership as another testimony to its commitment to ensuring that farmers and agribusinesses across the Americas benefit from science, innovation and responsible resource management .”
Through this agreement, CIMMYT and IICA will implement joint research initiatives, promote knowledge exchange, and support innovation-driven solutions that empower farmers, enhance supply chains, and expand market opportunities.
For more information, visit iica.int and cimmyt.org
In February 2025, leading voices in the global food and agricultural system came together on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference to discuss how to achieve food security in an increasingly insecure world.
Biological diversity is key to food and nutritional security, but all too often neglected. The loss of agricultural biodiversity (which includes crop diversity) threatens not just the resilience of global food systems but also their productivity. This in turn undermines rural livelihoods and economic activity, increasing the likelihood of migration. It also heightens the risk of price spikes and restricts the availability of staple food products, which may hamper trade in important commodities as governments seek to shore up sufficient stockpiles for domestic markets.
Compromised food systems and agricultural biodiversity loss destabilize and damage communities, potentially to an existential level, while preserving agricultural biodiversity and investing in resilient farms are the foundations for peace and prosperity. Stakeholders across the international community, including the security community, civilian agencies, civil society and businesses, should act to preserve and use agricultural biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture by putting farmers first.
As the ultimate providers of life-sustaining nutrition, farmers are indispensable global security partners. Farmers provide a steadying economic force, but only if they have adequate safety, and access to land, investment, innovation, and functioning markets. It is imperative to provide farmers with the support, investment, and opportunities for innovation to adapt to changing global environmental conditions and persevere through social unrest and conflict. Farmers must be able to employ agricultural practices that concurrently promote nutrition, water security, human health, and biodiversity preservation. Prioritizing the delivery of nutrient-rich foods and bio-based products in ways that respond to water and weather stress is essential.
Crucially, for farmers to be successful, they need continued access to agricultural biodiversity. To ensure that, genebanks must be seen as a shared strategic strength.
Reliable, sufficient, and nutritious food for the current and future population depends on the crop diversity that underpins critical research and breeding efforts. Despite its increasing importance in light of a changing climate, the conservation and availability of crop diversity is increasingly at risk: it is declining in farmers’ fields and in the wild, and genebanks are chronically underfunded. Growing food demands, land degradation, and geopolitical tensions threaten crop diversity, and more generally agricultural economies.
Given their essential role in food security, genebanks should be strategically protected and funded. Sufficient attention and resources should be available to ensure an effective and efficient global system of genebanks under the policy umbrella of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.In addition, the security community should incorporate food security and agricultural biodiversity into national and international security risk assessments and strategies.
Call to Action
It is our duty to alert the world to the threats to security and state stability posed by compromised food production systems and the loss of agricultural biodiversity. We wish to highlight the need for greater attention and investment from all stakeholders across governance, including the security sector, as well as civil society and the private sector.
Leading international organizations in agricultural biodiversity conservation and agricultural research, philanthropies, multinational corporations, and representatives from governments share this concern and endorse this statement arising from discussions at the 2025 Munich Security Conference.
Munich Statement on Agriculture, Biodiversity and Security: there is no security without food security
