About 20 scientists from FENALCE learned how to use Fieldbook—software for managing maize breeding activities—at CIMMYT-Colombia from 10-12 June 2009. FENALCE, Colombia’s National Federation of Cereal and Legume Breeders, has been one of CIMMYT’s main partners for the past 20 years, and has supported the center’s research, capacity-building, and technology transfer activities. The course was set up to support the Federation’s newly created maize improvement program.

CIMMYT technician Néstor Romero presented the course material along with colleagues Alba Lucía Arcos, breeder; and Luis Narro, senior scientist. Participants learned about inventory management, preparation of seed for international trials, taking data in the field and in the lab, and analysis and interpretation of experiment data. The course covered Fieldbook use for maize cultivation and participants practiced compiling field data and analyzing it with the program. CIMMYT-Colombia staff showed researchers a new printer for creating labels for station experimental plots and envelopes for seed shipments. Participants were also interested in a new machine that quickly and accurately counts seed.

Katherine Girón, technical director of FENALCE, coordinated the training which also marked Henry Vanegas’ beginning as the federation’s general manager. Our best wishes to Henry in his new position!

CIMMYT staff at all levels increasingly need to describe and explain center objectives, activities, and accomplishments to a broad public that includes students, scientific colleagues, decision makers, donors, and the media, among others. It may seem simple, but such communication requires considerable knowledge of the center and its global and local contexts, as well as sensitivity about the audience and skill in crafting and presenting messages.

To help personnel frequently called upon to interact with the media in Mexico, CIMMYT held a four-hour media training workshop at El Batán on 09 July 2009. Organized by Karen García, head of communications of AgroBIO-México, and Mike Listman, the event was conducted in Spanish by communications expert Alejandro Romero of the Mexican public relations firm Llorente & Cuenca. After a detailed, theoretical presentation and discussion, participants Victor Chávez and Bibiana Espinosa, research assistants who frequently show visitors the germplasm bank, as well as Bram Govaerts and Kevin Pixley, took part in individual, simulated television interviews that were filmed and subsequently critiqued by Romero and the group. All received advice and specific techniques on how to stay on message, to steer interviews in the desired direction, and to deal with leading questions and sensitive issues, like genetically modified maize in Mexico.

The workshop is just a beginning, and highlighted the need to formulate concise, effective messages on key topics and, especially, for more practice in handling interviews. “You always have to remember that you’re representing an organization, and not your personal views,” Romero told the group. Other CIMMYT participants on this occasion were Nele Verhulst, Andrea Chocobar Guerra, Susanne Dreisigacker, Natalia Palacios, George Mahuku, Claudia Bedoya, Laura Yates, and Allison Gillies. Special thanks to AgroBIO-México, which put on the event free-of-charge.

Raymundo López, Agua Fría station superintendent, facilitated training for 13 farmers from the small communities of Hixtololoyax and Pantepec, in the state of Puebla on 25 June 2009. The farmers learned about developing, disseminating, and sowing quality protein maize (QPM). They also learned about intersynthetic and synthetic maize varieties that are tolerant to drought, low nitrogen, pests, and disease. Lastly, the course dealt with proper application of agro-chemicals.

The training was part of a longterm initiative organized by the state government to improve maize yields in the poorest part of Puebla. CIMMYT is interacting with farmers in these small mountain  communities to teach them about the production of improved maize varieties. With the new skills learned from the course, farmers can experiment in their respective communities under local conditions.

It’s that time of year again. Some CIMMYT staff are preparing their international wheat trials, which is the seed the center sends to its partners around the world. A 42-ton shipment of wheat seed arrived at El Batán on 29 June 2009 from a multiplication area in Baja California, northern Mexico. This seed will make up the winter nursery for 2009-10. This year’s consignment also contained materials for the wheat germplasm bank, and was twice as big as last year’s shipment.

Unloading the 261 boxes and 2,700 bags of seed from the truck was no small task. A huge thank you to all who participated from the following units: international wheat trials (11); bread wheat (4); durum wheat (3); germplasm bank (3); physiology (2); fusarium (2), and irrigated bread wheat (2).

CIMMYT hosted staff of the CGIAR Internal Audit Unit (IAU), as part of a professional development workshop organized by Gerardo Carstens and Yunuhe Reyes. The training began in Mexico City on 23 June 2009, 21 auditors and financial specialists from seven CGIAR centers attended workshop sessions at El Batán during 29 June-02 July. In a welcome address to the group, DG Tom Lumpkin discussed the crucial and evolving role of internal auditing in the business world and the importance of it for centers like CIMMYT: “We count on you to give us the ‘bad’ news when we get off course, to oppose us when we’re wrong,” he said. John Fitzsimon, IAU director, noted that “the workshop provided a rare opportunity for auditors and clients of their services, who are spread all over the globe, to get together in one place to exchange views and undertake training to make their work more relevant and useful to the CGIAR centers.” At the conclusion of the workshop he pronounced the event a great success, conveying to the group a challenge to “get ahead of the curve to spot problems centers may encounter and help them head these off.”

Is it possible for a software to act as a one-stop shop and help manage maize breeding? Indeed it is, and CIMMYT’s Fieldbook provides both.

This was the proof of the pudding for 15 visiting scientists in Harare, Zimbabwe. During 15–19 June 2009, CIMMYT-Zimbabwe hosted scientists from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe under the New Seed Initiative for Maize in Africa (NSIMA) / Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) project. The visiting scientists learned to use Fieldbook, CIMMYT software designed for managing maize breeding programs. The software helps in handling field experiments, data, stocks, and pedigree  information. The participants practiced by analyzing their own data with the software.

Fieldbook is freely available. It is designed as a collection of macros in Visual Basic, and works with Microsoft Excel. Fieldbook gurus Cosmos Mogorokosho and Simbarashe Chisoro handled the introductory session. Peter Setimela, CIMMYT maize breeder, covered variety testing and release, showing participants how to summarize and prepare formats for variety release and registration. John MacRobert, CIMMYT maize seed systems specialist, coordinated an afternoon to explore various aspects of seed production. To familiarize themselves with the CIMMYT breeding program and other opportunities in the country, the scientists visited Mzarabani, a flood-prone rural area in northern  Zimbabwe.

At the end of the course, the participants felt their experience had been worthwhile, as expressed by P.G. Rupende from SeedCo, “I have used other software for managing breeding materials and analyses, but this is the best thing I have gone through. Fieldbook is a userfriendly program.” The proof of the pudding is truly in the eating—especially where one’s pudding is made of maize seed.

On 24 June 2009, 16 members of the Mixed Consultative Council (Consejo Consultivo Mixto) of Mexico’s Intersecretarial Commission on Biosafety and Genetically Modified Organisms (Comisión Intersecretarial de Bioseguridad y Organismos Genéticamente Modificados, CIBIOGEM) met at El Batán to discuss the country’s emerging policies on the regulation, testing, and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in agriculture. The Council, which includes representatives from diverse sectors of Mexican agriculture, met at El Batán at the request of its current president, Fabrice Salamanca, who is also the executive director of AgroBIO México, a private agency that promotes public awareness about biotechnology and its products. Salamanca wanted Council members to learn about CIMMYT and its work. In addition to their formal sessions, the group interacted with center staff and visited the germplasm bank and the long-term conservation agriculture trial.

PhD student Xuecai Zhang from CIMMYT-China was recently awarded a 2009 fellowship from the International Fund for Agricultural Research (IFAR). Zhang was given USD 11,000 to work on the integration of marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) in conventional maize breeding at CIMMYT.

Headquartered in the USA, IFAR is a public nonprofit that recognizes and promotes scientific excellence involving the work of centers in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and their partners. It gives priority to professional development of scientists from Africa and South Asia.

This is the third year in a row that a scientist from CIMMYT-China has been granted an IFAR fellowship; in 2008, IFAR supported Changbin Yin to study the use of chromosome segment substitution lines in genetic study and plant breeding, and in 2007 Huihui Li was granted a fellowship for the genetic study of quantitative traits in breeding.

Jagadish Timsina, IRRI-CIMMYT senior scientist and project leader, and Enamul Haque, CIMMYT cropping system agronomist, organized two training sessions on 21-23 April and 14-15 June 2009 for the joint CIMMYT-International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) project “Sustainable intensification of rice-maize systems in Bangladesh.”

Agronomists and engineers from Bangladesh who focus on the conservation agriculture (CA) aspects of the project also assisted in sessions. More than 30 researchers, field assistants, and machinery service providers learned about the operation of two machines; the power tiller operated seeder (PTOS), and the bed former and planter.

“We want to build their machinery-operating skills for sowing and establishing rice, wheat, and maize,” said Timsina. Participants gained information about the establishment and basic agronomy of dry-seeded rice and unpuddled transplanted rice, both of which eliminate the need for puddling the soil—a process that destroys its structural and physical properties—according to Timsina. “By not puddling we can reduce water requirements, input costs, and greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. In both sessions, participants put together and took apart machines and learned the functions of  individual parts. In June, farmers were introduced to the Sayre Smart Planter, which can be used for diverse, resource-conserving forms of tillage.
The CIMMYT-IRRI project promotes CA and nutrient management and has been running in three districts since November 2008, thanks to funding by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). National project partners include the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI);the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI); the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD); the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC); and the Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS).

The International Winter Wheat Improvement Program (Turkey- CIMMYT-ICARDA) conducted a traveling seminar in Ukraine during 08-13 June 2009 to learn about wheat research and breeding in the country and strengthen international and regional cooperation on winter wheat. The seminar attracted 62 participants from 19 countries, even with scientists covering their own travel costs to Ukraine. The group assembled in Kiev for visits to the Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Institute of Genetics and Physiology, and the Mironovka Wheat Institute.

Then the group traveled by bus to Odessa (500 km) to see the Breeding and Genetics Institute. “All participants were impressed by the level of research and breeding they saw,” says Alexey Morgounov, Global Wheat Program breeder based in Turkey, who led the seminar. “Experimental and production fields were well maintained and the crop diversity was very interesting.” Ukraine produces almost twice as much wheat as it consumes and plays an important role in the region’s food security. New, locally-bred varieties characterized by high yield potential, good grain quality, and good disease resistance contribute to this success. At the concluding session the group developed proposals to enhance regional cooperation in breeding for drought, rust resistance, and grain quality, and in networking. “We especially appreciated our hosts’ hospitality and good logistics,” says Morgounov.

This was the name of a course given to staff at the Agua Fría station in Mexico on 27 May 2009. Rafael de la Luna of Dow Agrociencias; Amado Jiménez and Ricardo Valdez of Agroservicios de Papantla; and station superintendent Raymundo López instructed staff on proper use and application of agro-chemicals. Participant also learned about protective equipment, correct disposal of chemicals, and how to identify a product’s level of toxicity.

Petr Kosina, head of Knowledge, Information, and Training; and Roberto La Rovere, impacts specialist; presented a recently published study entitled “Impacts of CIMMYT’s international training linked to long-term trials in conservation agriculture: 1996-2006,” on 9 June 2009, at CIMMYT-El Batán. Jirina Svitáková, PhD student at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague was the lead author of the study.

The study focused on the outcomes and impacts of the training for scientists in public, private, and nongovernmental sectors in agronomy and sustainable management of natural resources. More than 80 trainees participated in CIMMYT conservation agriculture (CA) training courses during this decade. There was a 63% response rate for the survey on which the study is based. Respondents said the course helped them to conduct research differently, link with international scientific networks, grow professionally, and almost half are communicating with their instructors and fellow trainees at least twice a year.

The authors suggested targeting a younger generation of scientists and more women to participate in CIMMYT’s CA training. As well, they suggested possibly doing a more condensed version of the CA training course in certain regions to reach more scientists. CIMMYT scientists participating in the seminar suggested a need for more qualitative indicators (e.g. through personal interviews) for future surveys, and felt the study was excellent for course promotion.

Many of us in the CIMMYT community are familiar with “Patronato”—the group of private farmers in northern Mexico who  have collaborated with the center since the 1950s. These farmers support the center and partners’ research activities, and in turn have benefited from new and improved agricultural technologies.

Now, a similar partnership between CIMMYT and farmers seems to be developing in Bangladesh. About 70 farmers recently talked about forming a farmers’ association of 200-300 members and a farmers’ federation of 25,000 members. Enamul Haque, CIMMYT-Bangladesh cropping systems agronomist and facilitator of the farmers’ federation initiatives, was present for the 18 May 2009 discussions which took place at a farmers’ union meeting in Nababpur, Baliakandi, Rajbari. Abdul Wohab, principal scientific officer, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur also attended the meeting. Farmers’ federation initiatives are also starting in Rajshahi, Lalmonirhat, and Dinajpur districts, according to Haque.

“A farmers’ association and federation would facilitate CIMMYT’s work to spread conservation agriculture, as well as new crop varieties and technologies,” said Haque. CIMMYT and BARI have worked in the region since 2003, assisting with quality seed and facilitating the development and dissemination of conservation agriculture technology. However, the small-scale farmers who benefit from this technology can benefit even further by working together and becoming part of larger associations. This could give farmers better bargaining power and link them to product marketing and seed and input companies.

Farmers and Kamal Fakir, chairman of the Nababpur union, are enthusiastic about farmers working together. Fakir generously agreed to let CIMMYT use three rooms in the union building rent-free, which can serve as office space or as a sleeping room for CIMMYT researchers while they are working in  Baliakandi. Several farmers also offered to spare land for CIMMYT for research purposes. “I’m happy to provide these rooms and facilities to CIMMYT. This building is a center for rural people and CIMMYT works to improve agriculture which ultimately benefits farmers and their families,” said Fakir. Haque also acknowledged this valuable contribution. “Farmers’ commitment and willingness to extend their resources to CIMMYT is proof of our strong partnership,” he said.

It was a short visit but by no means an unproductive one: from 18–22 May 2009, a Corporate Services team from CIMMYT-El Batán visited the center’s Nairobi and Harare regional offices. The team consisted of Luis De Anda, finance manager; Marisa de la O, human resources (HR) manager; Carlos López, information and communication technology (ICT) manager; and Scott Ferguson, deputy director general for Corporate Services.

“By having direct interactions with our CIMMYT colleagues in Africa, we have a better idea of the issues they face with respect to Corporate Services,” said López. “We also gained a greater understanding of their local circumstances and challenges.”

Working as a team, the group was able to address workplace issues in their corresponding areas, and each also met with their local counterparts. López expressed the need for better communication across CIMMYT offices and for more internet tools and systems. While in Harare he worked with staff to ameliorate the office’s internet access which is via satellite, and said he was grateful for the opportunity to see CIMMYT’s mission firsthand.

In Zimbabwe, the team visited the new dam that supplies water to CIMMYT’s Muzarabani station –the old dam was destroyed by flooding. Joseph Makamba, field supervisor, also showed them the station’s winter nursery, which had over seven hectares dedicated to nurseries and seed multiplication. Unfortunately, frequent power outages make nursery irrigation sporadic; during the visit Makamba had to travel 60 km to bring national power supply technicians to repair overhead power lines and restore electricity to the pumping station.

“I am impressed by the commitment, dedication, and ingenuity showed by the CIMMYT teams in Kenya and Zimbabwe,” said Ferguson, who also visited partner institutions with Mulugetta Mekuria, CIMMYT-Zimbabwe economist. While in Kenya, he urged staff to take the initiative and be creative in identifying solutions to problems and to share the solutions amongst themselves and with Corporate Services. “We will strive to streamline general administration and support services so that you can comfortably do what you do best,” he told staff.

De la O was especially touched by the temporary workers she met in Harare, many of whom are mothers that leave their families for months at a time to make ends meet. “I would like for all employees to have the same level of benefits, regardless of where they’re from or if they are temporary or permanent,” she said. “We want to offer a better level of support and work in a global sense.” De la O addressed some issues on the spot, and will followup with others after an analysis of all the regional offices and making a strategic HR plan.

“I feel a huge commitment to the people I met,” she said. “It was a very moving, emotional experience and I’m excited and enthusiastic about continuing my work with CIMMYT.” De Anda expressed similar feelings, saying, “This experience helped me to understand what CIMMYT is behind the finances and numbers. We all know poverty exists in the world, but it’s different when you really see it with your own eyes.”

Wheat production must increase 35% in the next two decades to meet growing demand, developing countries are suffering under the global food crisis, and CIMMYT’s umbrella organization, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, is undergoing a major change initiative. Hans-Joachim Braun, global wheat program (GWP) director, cited these evolving situations during a GWP brainstorming meeting held 27-29 May 2009 near Teotihuacán, Mexico where he stressed the importance of identifying the GWP’s key goals for the coming years.

“We are trying to implement the ‘wisdom of the crowd,’ ” Braun said of the meeting, which was structured around open dialogue, small discussion groups, and engaging brainstorming activities. “World food security relies heavily on the work done by the people in this room,” he said. “Our discussions here will help to focus the future of the global wheat program and target our business plan.”

The core traits that all CIMMYT– developed germplasm have are high yield potential, tolerance to drought and heat, resistance to cereals rusts, and acceptable end-use quality. During the meeting, other traits identified as having high importance were lodging resistance, resistance to septoria, and nitrogen-use efficiency. Seven other traits were acknowledged; each was discussed in detail in terms of who will focus on it, if new resources are needed to adequately address it, and anticipated costs. To increase program efficiency, GWP staff also identified barriers to CIMMYT’s ability to improve food security and administrative bottlenecks.

Other topics included conservation agriculture, GWP management structure, quality control for data, location for regional offices, and the complexities of private and public sector partnerships. On Friday afternoon, Scott Ferguson, deputy director general for Support Services, joined the group to discuss administrative issues. Overall, participating staff said the meetings were well organized and facilitated productive staff interaction and discussion of GWP issues. Suggestions for improvement included more outreach representation and clearly defined outcomes and follow-up.

For more information, please contact H.J.Braun@cgiar.org.