Mr. Zhong Chonggao, President of the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, visited El Batán on 13 January 2009. Mr. Qiu Ruor, Director, Crop Research Institute, accompanied him, along with Mr. Wang Liming, Director, Maize Research Institute; Mr. Ding Hanfeng, Director, High Technology Research Center; and Mr. Liu Jianjun, Professor, Crop Research Institute.

DG Tom Lumpkin first met with the delegation in his office. They also spoke with Kevin Pixley, Associate Director, Global Maize Program, and Hans Braun, Director, Global Wheat Program. “The delegation was particularly interested in co-operation on raising yield potential, improving disease resistance, and our research on genetically modified maize and wheat,” said Braun.

The Chinese government is sponsoring a 13-year project on genetically modified (GM) crops in the country, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, who estimated the project will cost USD 3.5 billion. This information comes from Science magazine (number 5894, volume 321) which also stated that “Half [the money] is expected to come from local governments on whose land GM crops will be grown and from agricultural biotechnology companies.” The initiative involves 64 projects on GM rice, maize, wheat, and soy bean, and the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science will be involved mainly in the project’s downstream work, including genetic transformation and evaluation of the performance of the transgenic plants in biosafety greenhouses and the field, according to Huixia Wu, CIMMYT wheat transformation specialist.

The delegation discussed collaboration opportunities in areas such as germplasm, molecular markers, genetic transformation and capacity-building. The group also visited conservation agriculture field experiments with Agronomist Ken Sayre and Cropping Systems Management Specialist Bram Govaerts, and met with Jonathan Crouch, Director, GREU, several GREU staff members, and El Batán researchers from China.

Knowledge Share Fair for Agricultural Development and Food Security, a 3-day event organized jointly by Bioversity International, the CGIAR ICT-KM program, FAO, IFAD and WFP at FAO Headquarters starts today in Rome. CIMMYT is represented by Petr Kosina, who will be presenting Maize and Wheat Doctors, Cereal Knowledge Bank, use of web 2.0 applications in CIMMYT and also facilitating some other sessions.

A joint wheat quality project between CIMMYT and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) recently received a prestigious award from the Chinese government for research advances.The award, established in 1984, was presented in a ceremony on 9 January in Beijing’s Great Hall of People. Given to outstanding Chinese research programs, this year’s award was granted to 29 initiatives.
The wheat quality team was the only one in the area of agriculture and forestry. Project leader Zhonghu He and select leading scientists attended the ceremony where they met and shook hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiaobao.

The wheat quality project, which collaborates with Capital Normal University and Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Science, boasts several major accomplishments. It has established a standardized quality testing system for products such as Chinese noodles, developed 22 functional markers and characterizations of Chinese wheat varieties, and published 120 research papers, including 54 papers in leading international journals in the area of crop genetics, breeding, and cereal chemistry. In addition, the project established a technique to separate storage protein and acid capillary electrophoresis for separation of high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), the cloning of six new genes for HMW-GS, and first report of illegitimate recombination for formation of HMW-GS.

Other accomplishments include the development of two core parents with an outstanding quality for pan bread making from CIMMYT wheats Yécora F74 and Saric F74 which contributed to the creation of 10 leading varieties that cover a total area of 8 million hectares, and the training of more than 50 postgraduates. Collaboration and support from CIMMYT cereal chemist Dr. Roberto Javier Peña, Dr. Craig Morris from USDA-ARS, Prof. Rudi Appels at Murdoch University, and Dr. Ken Quail at BRI, contributed to the work’s success.

Many of us living in Mexico know the brand name Maseca from the flour packages we see in the supermarket. Maseca is one of three brands owned by the Gruma corporation, which produces and markets flour and tortillas in the US, Europe, and China.
 A group from Maseca visited El Batán on 14 January, along with Dr. Pedro Brajcich, DG of the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture, and Livestock Research (INIFAP), and Dr. Gricelda Vázquez, an important partner in maize quality research efforts from INIFAP. Dr. Julio Berdegué, chairman of the Board of Trustees and our DG, Tom Lumpkin, welcomed and accompanied the group during the visit.

CIMMYT has worked with Maseca in the past to quantify post-research losses in Mexico. “During the visit, they were interested in quality protein maize, the improvement of ‘criollos,’ and lab methods for quality analysis, among other topics,” says Kevin Pixley, associate director, CIMMYT Global Maize Program. (Criollos are maize landraces, or particular varieties that are farmer-selected and often highly adapted to specific areas). “We also talked about collaboration with INIFAP and CINVESTAV” (a postgraduate and research institution in Mexico), adds Pixley.

The Maseca delegation included Alfonso Cebreros, director of government relations; Guillermo Arteaga, deputy director biotechnology and innovation; Luis Manuel Rolón, manager, agricultural planning; Alfredo Morales Díaz, manager, central laboratory; and Montserrat González Torre, chief, biotechnology and innovation projects. Maseca imports about 80% of the wheat it uses for milling, says Javier Peña, wheat grain quality specialist. “They are interested in having new wheat varieties adapted to the Mexican highlands and central Mexico which suit their needs and will enable them to save on importation costs.” The group offered to help CIMMYT secure funding from the public and private sectors and also invited CIMMYT researchers
to visit their maize milling and processing plant as well as their wheat flour mill in Puebla to better understand food processing and maize and wheat quality needs.

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

The Ningxia provincial government honored CIMMYT Agronomist Ken Sayre with the Liupanshan award on 05 December in recognition of the center’s contribution to promoting conservation agriculture in Ningxia province, China. Liupanshan is the most famous historical site of Ningxia province and the Liupanshan Award recognizes scientists from other countries who have made significant contributions to economic and social development in the province. Sayre has frequently traveled to Ningxia in the last 10 years to promote bed planting and conservation agriculture in the dryland area and has also helped introduce the associated technology and machinery from India to Ningxia. Congratulations!

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

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

The largest regional office outside of CIMMYT-HQ and in operation since 1985, the CIMMYT Regional Office for Southern Africa in Zimbabwe is central to implementing major regional and global projects. In the face of challenging political and economic circumstances, staff there have worked heroically and creatively to ensure that key breeding trials, on-farm research, socio-economic studies, and seed shipment activities are conducted to meet objectives with excellence.

This feeling of achievement was echoed at the 2008 end-of-year staff party on 12 December. The colorful party, joined by CIATTSBF staff, got off with a welcome and a “Thank you, CIMZIM!” address from Mulugetta Mekuria. Pat Wall got everyone involved in participatory games with exciting prizes. Long service awards were presented to Sign Phiri (20 years), Moses Chiputu (20 years), and Evelot Nyamutowa (10 years). The crowd thanked and congratulated the colleagues for their extended service, and staff received Christmas baskets.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CIMMYT researchers and partners in Nepal released two new open pollinated maize varieties (OPVs) during a variety release committee meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 07 December 2008. The varieties are called Manakamana 4 and Poshilo Makai-1 and both originated in Mexico. CIMMYT is partnering with the Hill Maize Research Project (HMRP), the National Agricultural Research Council (NARC), the Department of Agriculture (DoA), and several non-governmental organizations in Nepal.

Poshilo Makai-1 is the first quality protein maize (QPM) variety to be released in Nepal. “It has attractive white cobs and provides a great option to improve the nutritional quality of people and animals due to its higher content of lysine and tryptophan,” says T.P. Tiwari, agronomist, CIMMYT-Nepal. Its name is fitting: Poshili is a Nepali word meaning nutritious.

“Manakamana 4 provides a great yellow-maize option to farmers in the mid hills of Nepal because it fits well in the maize/millet, maize/potato, rice/maize, and maize/legumes cropping systems,” says Guillermo Ortiz- Ferrara, cereal breeder, CIMMYT-Nepal. The variety has a yield potential of about 6.5 tons per hectare and has stable grain yield across locations in Nepal. Manakamana 4 has also shown good lodging resistance (meaning it is less prone to falling over); tolerance to leaf diseases; and very good stay-green character.

“We are also very encouraged to see that the participatory varietal selection (PVS) farmers-assessment data was seriously considered by the variety release committee,” says Ortiz-Ferrara who feels this indicates progress made in institutionalizing such farmer participatory activities in the country. “Similar trends are also happening in the release of wheat and other crops,” he adds.

Both Tiwari and Ortiz-Ferrara express sincere thanks and congratulations to their CIMMYT-Mexico colleagues who helped develop the source germplasm for the new varieties.

Jose Crossa, head of CIMMYT’s Biometrics and Statistics Unit, has received the 2008 CGIAR Outstanding Scientist Award for leading the development of statistical-genetic models for effective genetic resources conservation, characterization, and utilization, minimizing the loss of genetic variability. In addition to this significant contribution to the CGIAR’s core work, he and his team developed statistical models that have helped geneticists and breeders to understand and interpret genotype-by-environment and QTLby- environment interactions, and to build more effective selection indices. Finally, his most recent contributions include important work on functional genomics and association mapping.

Crossa has authored or coauthored over 150 international refereed journal articles, over 20 book chapters, and more than 60 technical papers and proceedings papers.

“The brilliance of Dr. Crossa’s work is that it helps crop genebanks ensure their collections stay fresh without sacrificing the genetic diversity that is so central to their mission,” said Tom Lumpkin, director general of CIMMYT. “His contribution to crop science is vital to conserving the plant genetic resources which we will literally depend upon for our survival.”

CIMMYT also shared the 2008 CGIAR King Baudouin Award for its part in a massive and intensive 10-year effort to rejuvenate food production in countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC). The project has marshaled the talents of experts from nine CGIAR centers worldwide to implement dozens of new agricultural and environmental technologies that are boosting food production and incomes in the CAC region. The other centers involved were, ILRI, CIP, ICARDA, ICRISAT, IFPRI, Bioversity, IWMI, and IRRI.