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Location: Africa

CIMMYT’s work in Africa helps farmers access new maize and wheat systems-based technologies, information and markets, raising incomes and enhancing crop resilience to drought and climate change. CIMMYT sets priorities in consultation with ministries of agriculture, seed companies, farming communities and other stakeholders in the maize and wheat value chains. Our activities in Africa are wide ranging and include: breeding maize for drought tolerance and low-fertility soils, and for resistance to insect pests, foliar diseases and parasitic weeds; sustainably intensifying production in maize- and wheat-based systems; and investigating opportunities to reduce micronutrient and protein malnutrition among women and young children.

CIMMYT Expands Climate-Smart Interventions in Southern Africa

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Press releases.

As Southern Africa faces unprecedented drought conditions CIMMYT continues to lead efforts in reducing the devastating impact of extreme weather. Through its role as a partnership convener, CIMMYT has brought together climate change advisories and climate-smart agriculture to empower farmers, who are demonstrating incredible resilience by continuing to produce food for their families and communities. 

“The current climate crisis highlights the urgency of scaling resilient agricultural practices. At CIMMYT, we believe that empowering farmers to adopt drought-tolerant crops and sustainable methods is essential to securing food systems and ensuring communities can weather the challenges ahead,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT. 

By strengthening seed systems and applying global best practices, CIMMYT has empowered farmers across Zambia and Malawi to adapt to drought, ensuring nutritional security and improved livelihoods. The adoption of innovations, including conservation agriculture and resilient legume systems, is increasing farmers’ resilience and buffering against future shocks. 

Strengthening Early-Warning Systems 

CIMMYT has expanded access to early-warning systems and climate advisories through the GROWSMART campaign, which has reached over 1 million farmers in Zambia and Malawi. Through a network of digital champions and voice-activated advisories accessible via simple mobile phones, CIMMYT has provided critical, real-time information. This has enabled farmers to plan more effectively, reducing crop losses and optimizing planting schedules in response to changing weather patterns. 

Scaling Resilient Solutions 

CIMMYT has strengthened private sector and civil society partnerships to significantly expand the production of climate-resilient legumes, which were harvested early to provide nutritious food. In combination with maize hybrids like SC 555 and Ntondo (MH35), these legume systems have improved the food security of over 700,000 smallholder farmers.  

Moving forward, CIMMYT plans to expand seed systems further, aiming to support the adoption of game-changing crops and conservation agriculture by the end of 2025. This expansion will provide farmers with the tools needed to mitigate the impacts of unpredictable weather patterns, ensuring food security in the face of persistent droughts. 

Empowering Women and Youth in Agriculture 

Recognizing the vital roles that women and youth play in agriculture, CIMMYT has prioritized gender-sensitive training programs and access to financing for women farmers, who comprise 78% of Zambia’s agricultural workforce. In Malawi, youth-focused initiatives, such as the LUANAR Agribusiness Hub, are helping young agro-entrepreneurs adopt climate-resilient farming methods. These efforts are not only boosting food production but also driving economic empowerment. 

Climate-Resilient Maize and Legume Systems: A Lifeline for Farmers 

CIMMYT’s Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) as part of the USAID Feed the Future investments has played a key role in providing smallholder farmers access to drought-tolerant maize hybrids like SC 555 in Zambia and Ntondo (MH35) in Malawi. These hybrids, combined with legume systems such as groundnut and pigeonpea, are designed to thrive under extreme weather conditions, improving soil health and ensuring profitable, nutritionally secure cropping systems. 

In Zambia, the SC 555 maize hybrid has shown exceptional resilience during the 2023-2024 season. Farmers like Mr. Chizela from Chinwe Mpongwe, who faced a six-week dry spell, have harvested abundantly despite the drought, ensuring food security and income stability. Similarly, in Malawi, the Ntondo (MH35) hybrid has demonstrated remarkable drought tolerance at Msunga Farm, with yields of up to 4.37 tons per hectare—far exceeding those of non-drought-resistant varieties. 

Building for the Future 

CIMMYT’s ongoing research and innovation efforts are focused on developing even more resilient maize and legume varieties to withstand both drought and extreme temperatures. Set for release by 2025, these new varieties will offer farmers sustainable, high-yield solutions to address the growing threat of climate change. 

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. 

CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources. 

For more information, visit cimmyt.org. 

Helping herders access grazing lands and water sources amid prevailing food insecurity in Sudan

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

In parts of the conflict-ridden Sudan, including the eastern regions such as Kassala and Gadarif, rainfall is sparse and recurring droughts caused by climate change compound the issue. Consequently, perennial grasses that are supposed to grow back year after year are dramatically disappearing.

In addition, uncontrolled and heavy grazing in large areas in Sudan is also negatively affecting soil by increasing erosion, and cattle hooves can compact the soil, preventing plant roots from receiving enough oxygen, water, and nutrients.

Due to these factors, many pastoralist groups in east Sudan are seeking grazing resources outside their recognized tribal territory. A major problem for these groups has been the recurrent droughts and the deterioration of pasture areas, which has forced them to stay longer in areas with rich grazing, thus competing with other groups and leading to frictions and conflicts.

Livestock-Food Systems Development (LFSD) is a component of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS), funded by USAID, focused on the dairy and meat subsector of the livestock sector. The LFSD aims to enhance the utilization of appropriate forage and feeding options through the demarcation of migratory routes to ease access to grazing, avoid conflicts, and reduce long-distance livestock travel impact on livestock health.

Along with partners, Practical Action and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), LFSD, is establishing a 50 km migratory route demarcation from Al Hindiiyya to Banqir in the Atbara River locality, Kassala State, East Sudan. These routes connect villages to public grazing land for livestock to pass through without impacting farmland.

The intervention also includes reseeding 1,000 feddans (around 420 hectares) of grazing lands and creating water ponds for animals during the rainy season. SASAS is also enhancing water harvesting by using a tractor to increase soil moisture. The two interventions were recommended by local communities and agriculture and animal resources authorities in Kassala state.

“As the rainy season is commencing, we started working with the local communities and reseeding the targeted areas in rural Kassala and River Atbara localities as recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture,” said Dr. Abdallah Osman, Project Manager, Practical Action.

Reseeding around 1,000 feddans of grazing lands in River Atbara Locality, Kassala (Photo:Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT )

“To ensure the best results, we used a mix of five high-quality seed types, all of which were recommended by the Kassala State Ministry of Agriculture,” Osman said.

The reseeding will serve 15 villages and enhance grazing lands for over 100,000 animals in the area. In addition, water storing capacity will be increased by constructing 15 large water ponds.

“For the past decades, our grazing lands had diminished gradually, and we face huge challenges in feeding our livestock, especially during dry seasons. In most cases, we had to buy costly fodder and water trucking,” said Ahmed Hassan, a community leader and a herder from River Atbara Locality, Kassala State. “We feel very proud to participate in reseeding the grazing lands in our areas, as this will increase grass yield and quality, enabling us to feed our animals better.”

The intervention also aims to rehabilitate animal migratory route demarcations to ease access to grazing, avoid conflicts, and reduce long-distance livestock travel impact on livestock health.

“As farmers, we suffer a lot from animals that cross into our agricultural fields and destroy our crops. We are relieved that reseeding will create more grazing lands for herders, and the demarcation of animal routes will help reduce the chronic seasonal conflicts between farmers and herders,” said Haw Osman, a farmer from Am Safri, Kassala Rural locality.

“At SASAS, we strive to ensure that herders have access to rich grazing lands. We work with our partners to address all problems linked to overgrazing, reseeding pasture lands, and treating the causes of conflict between herders and farmers. We involve local communities in creating clear animal migration routes away from farms and increasing water sources for animals through water harvesting projects,” said Abdelrahman Kheir, SASAS Chief of Party in Sudan.

Water harvesting to create water ponds for animals in River Atbara Locality, Kassala State (Photo: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT )
SASAS partners work with local communities in rural Kassala and River Atbara to mark animal migration routes for animals (Photo: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

Machakos farmer reaps prosperity with new pigeon pea variety

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

In the heart of Ndeini village in Machakos County—a region in Kenya known for unpredictable weather and difficult farming conditions—farmer Festus Muthoka’s story is a testament to resilience and innovation. Festus transformed his livelihood by making strategic crop choices and adopting new pigeon pea varieties, resulting in higher yields and incomes.

“When I couldn’t find a job in Nairobi, I returned to the countryside and realized that the fields held more potential for me,” said Festus. For seven years, he had been growing maize, beans, and local pigeon pea, but inconsistent rainfall made it difficult to achieve the desired yields. Pigeon pea offered new hope, particularly when Festus discovered the new variety ‘Mituki.’

Festus Muthoka, a pigeon pea farmer in Machakos County, shows one of his pigeon pea crops on his farm. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)

Mituki as a gamechanger

Unlike traditional pigeon pea, which takes up to nine months to mature, the Mituki variety matures in four and a half months and can be harvested two to three times a year. “The first year, I planted three lines of Mituki and saw its potential. It is more profitable to sell pigeon pea when it is green. This variety stays green for a long time, and the demand, especially in local hotels, is very high. I sold it for a good profit,” said Festus.

Now in his third year of cultivating Mituki, Festus has expanded his farm to 4-5 acres with plans to increase it to 10 acres in the next planting season. The financial gains have been substantial. “For my first harvest, I made over US $1,500 by selling green pigeon pea. Even after harvesting, the crop remains lush, allowing ongoing sales,” he said.

Festus’s story shows the importance of pigeon pea as an opportunity crop that meets the needs of farmers in challenging environments as well as in challenging economic times. Rael Karimi, a researcher and breeder at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in Katumani, played a key role in developing the Mituki variety. “When I first started working on the pigeon pea breeding program, we identified a gap in the local varieties, which took a whole year to mature. The commercial short-duration variety, which matures in three months, had small pods and grain, therefore not acceptable to farmers. Farmers needed early- to medium-maturing varieties with market- and farmer-preferred traits, such as larger grains and pods for ease of shelling for green vegetables. This resulted in the development and release of the Mituki variety in 2018,” she said.

Festus Muthoka harvests the pigeon pea pods on his farm. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)

The development and promotion of new pigeon pea varieties involve extensive testing and active farmer participation. “We conducted on-station trials, followed by on-farm testing with farmers to ensure the varieties had the farmer-preferred traits. The Mituki variety is a medium-duration variety, giving two harvests per year, making it very popular among farmers,” Karimi added.

Creating awareness during field days

Promoting new varieties is equally important as developing them. “It’s one thing to release a variety but another to ensure promotion and popularization. If you release it and put it on the shelves, farmers will not be aware that a better variety is available,“ said Rael. This is where on-farm demonstrations and field days are crucial.

Field days are critical in ensuring that new, improved varieties reach the farmers who require them the most, bridging the gap between varietal development and practical application in the field. They also emphasize the importance of using high-quality seeds rather than recycled seeds, which often come with significant challenges.

A field day held in July in Ndeini village effectively raised awareness among numerous farmers about the benefits of the Mituki variety and how it can provide two harvests per year compared to their long-duration local varieties, which only give one harvest in a year.

Rael Karimi, a researcher and breeder at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in Katumani, engages with farmers during the pigeon pea farmers field day in Machakos County. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)

Seed purity for improved yields

Chris Ojiewo, seed systems lead for the Dryland Crops program at CIMMYT, emphasizes the importance of maintaining seed purity and good farming practices. “Farmers often recycle seeds for years, resulting in cross-pollination and loss of desirable traits. We encourage them to regularly buy new seeds, which ensures high yield and disease resistance. With support from CIMMYT and the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Systems in Africa (AVISA) Project, we are now able to produce and distribute quality seeds to farmers,” he said.

Chris highlighted the challenges of recycling seeds. Genetic impurity is a significant concern due to pigeon pea outcrossing. It prevents such grains from entering the formal value chain and, as a result, reduces farmer profits. Additionally, recycled seeds may accumulate diseases and pests, diminishing crop health. Stored seeds can also have low germination capacity and vigor, leading to poor crop performance.

To address these issues, Chris advocates for behavior change communications to educate farmers on the benefits of using pure seeds. Linking farmers to formal seed value chains ensures that they understand the financial incentives of using pure seeds. Moreover, improving the production, availability, affordability, and timely supply of quality seeds can prevent the need for recycling.

Collaborative efforts in pigeon pea breeding

Ganga Rao, a pigeon pea breeder with the Dryland Crops program, explains how CIMMYT provides support to both farmers and researchers. “CIMMYT has been instrumental in advancing pigeon pea breeding programs by providing technical support and resources. We collaborate closely with local researchers at KALRO to ensure that the new varieties are tailored to the specific needs and conditions of the farmers,” he said.

Through the collaborative efforts of the pigeon pea CGIAR-NARES network, CIMMYT, under the AVISA project, has supported KALRO in producing pigeon pea seed for the Mituki variety. The promotion of this seed used small seed packets of 200g. This approach created demand for the new variety, with many farmers purchasing the seed ahead of the short rains 2024 cropping season. This is an indication that farmers are willing to buy certified seeds when they are made aware of improved varieties that offer both farmer- and market-preferred traits.

Ganga emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and farmer engagement. “Our goal is to develop varieties that are high yielding and resilient to climate stresses and diseases. Through on-farm trials and demonstrations, farmers provide us with valuable feedback, which informs our breeding programs. This collaborative approach ensures that the varieties we release meet the market demands and preferences,” he added.

Farmers and community members purchase the Mituki seeds during the farmers field day. (Photo: Ganga Rao/CIMMYT)

Ganga emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and farmer engagement. “Our goal is to develop varieties that are high yielding and resilient to climate stresses and diseases. Through on-farm trials and demonstrations, farmers provide us with valuable feedback which informs our breeding programs. This collaborative approach ensures that the varieties we release meet the market demands and preferences,” he added. 

The future of pigeon pea is bright

Festus’s success with Mituki variety demonstrates the potential of strategic crop selection and good agricultural practices. “I now see pigeon pea as a major agro-enterprise for food security and as a significant source of income. The market demand for green pigeon pea is high, and with proper seed management farmers can sustain and improve their livelihoods,” Festus concluded. 

Looking ahead, Karimi is optimistic that more farmers will adopt this new variety. “The future for pigeon pea is bright. We aim to have farmers producing throughout the year, meeting the high market demands and ensuring food security. By aggregating their produce, this will ensure adequate tradable volume which helps farmers negotiate for better prices and achieve greater financial stability,” she said. 

Ganga added, “CIMMYT’s ongoing support in seed production and farmer training is crucial. We are committed to empowering farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to maximize their yields and improve their livelihoods. Pigeon pea has the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in dryland regions.” 

Ganga Rao, a pigeon pea breeder with the Dryland Crops program in CIMMYT interacts with farmers during the farmers field day in Machakos. (Photo: Marion Aluoch/CIMMYT)

As Festus prepares to expand his farm and continue his journey, his story serves as an inspiration to many farmers in Ndeini and beyond. With support and innovations in crop breeding, farmers such as Festus are not only surviving but thriving, turning challenges into opportunities and paving the way for a prosperous future in agriculture.  

The Sudan Food Security Initiative: Helping Farmers Produce High-Quality Seed Varieties

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

As the conflict continues in Sudan, harshly disrupting agricultural extension communication and research linkages, Suliman Gadalla, a 55-year-old farmer from Shagarab West Village in Khasum Algrba Locality, Kassala State, eastern Sudan, feels proud that farmers in his village are eagerly asking him about the new sorghum variety he is growing on his farm. Gadalla is very satisfied with his experience using a chisel plough, growing certified seeds, and applying chemicals to control herbicides.

“Every day, no fewer than 10 farmers visit my field to gain firsthand experience in using proper agricultural technologies and to learn more about the new sorghum varieties I am growing,” said Gadalla.

“When I learned about the new sorghum varieties grown on Suliman’s farm and saw their good growth, I told myself I must follow what he is doing to understand the benefits of the new planting methods and wait until harvest to see the yield of the new varieties. If the trial is successful, I plan to get some seeds from my friend Suliman, either by purchasing or borrowing, and cultivate the new varieties next season on my farm,” said Hassan Rahamtalla, a 57-year-old farmer in West Shagarab Village in Khashum.

Under the aegis of the SASAS program, the USAID-funded SFSI was launched in May 2024 in response to Sudan’s food security challenges. SASAS partners strive to increase crop yields through the adoption of certified seeds and Quality Declared (QD) seeds of improved crop varieties.

Through farmers’ demonstration fields, SASAS partners CIMMYT and Harvest Investment Company LTD work extensively to accelerate the adoption of two newly released sorghum varieties, Butana and Dahab, and make their seeds available to communities through demonstration farms established in over ten villages across four localities in Kassala State.

Farmers in Khashum engage with CIMMYT demonstration activities. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

“In addition to inclusive agricultural advisory services, one expected outcome of the demonstration fields is to provide high-quality seeds of the new sorghum varieties, which will increase variety options for farmers and enhance seed system security through improved seed availability,” said Omar Ali, SASAS Seeds Systems Officer.

SASAS partners fully supported the cultivation of 60 feddans in Kassala State as demonstration farms to provide agricultural advisory services that deliver critical information on improved crops, soil, and water management to rural communities through extension, demonstration campaigns, and market linkages.

“The knowledge and skills I gained from the on-farm training are amazing. We were given real experience in ploughing our lands using a chisel and disk harrow and learned how to treat our seeds against fungal diseases and insect pests,” said Hawa Adam, a 45-year-old female farmer from New Halfa, adding that learning how to use herbicides to control weeds was very useful.

“Support from SASAS came at a critical time as the armed conflict spread into new areas across the country, reducing the areas allocated for improved seed production. Through the SFSI farmers’ demonstration fields, we are exposing farmers to new varieties and enabling them to produce high-quality seeds of these varieties so that we ensure seed availability for the next farming season,” said SASAS Program Chief of Party Abdelrahman Kheir.

Agricultural research in Sudan has shown that certified seeds sourced from foundation seeds increase the yield of sorghum by at least 40% compared to seeds obtained from farmers’ bags. Seed multiplication of sorghum under the proposed area (450 feddans) will produce a quantity of certified seeds with the potential to plant a significant area of sorghum for food and feed in the 2025 growing season.

Taring farmers on using pre-emergence herbicides in the demonstration field in Refi Kassala. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)
Training farmers on using planters in the demonstration field in New Halfa. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

Scaling fodder innovations to improve livestock productivity in Zimbabwe’s semi-arid regions

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

Gogo Consilia Nyamunda in her pigeon pea field (CIMMYT)

When she first ventured into growing pigeon peas as a baby trial host farmer, Gogo Consilia Nyamunda doubted that intercropping them with maize would bring any benefits, especially given the weather had not been lenient over the past few years in Buhera district, in eastern Zimbabwe. “This year has been the hardest. I’ve never experienced such drought and heat stress, but it’s not just me—it’s affecting the entire country,” says Gogo Consilia. Yet, her production turned out to be better than that of farmers growing only maize, a popular crop in Southern Africa. Encouraged by the results, she expanded her efforts, dedicating half a hectare to pigeon peas. “From just 0.2 hectares of pigeon peas, I still managed to harvest 10 kilograms in these extremely dry conditions. It’s not just for feeding my chickens—other farmers are now interested in the seeds as well,” she explains.

Gogo Consilia Nyamunda is one of twelve farmers experiencing new feed production practices as part of the Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-Zim) project, rolled out since 2020 by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in partnership with CIMMYT, the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD), and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).

In the face of a changing climate, building the resilience of local farmers is crucial to safeguarding both their meal baskets and livestock feed. In this context, LIPS Zimbabwe has emerged as a strategic initiative, deeply rooted in farmer-driven trials to scale fodder production while maximizing the potential of mechanization for smallholder farmers in Buhera. By integrating improved agronomic practices with scalable fodder production, LIPS Zimbabwe is helping farmers withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

Empowering local farmers through fodder production

In the same district, Shirley Makoni also began as a baby trial farmer, intercropping maize with jack bean, a leguminous crop resilient to drought. Her case highlights the importance of diversifying crops and adapting to the realities of climate change: despite initial skepticism, Shirley found that jack beans not only survived the drought but also provided valuable feed for her cows. “I didn’t think anything would come out of it, but the cows love the leaves and seeds. They’ve gained weight, and the crop has been easy to manage,” she shares. While her maize and other crops failed due to the severe weather, jack bean proved to be a reliable source of feed, allowing her to bale the leaves and even share the harvest with others.

Shirley Makoni proudly holds her jack bean hay bale (CIMMYT)

One of the key strategies employed by LIPS Zimbabwe is the promotion of resilient fodder crops that can thrive under harsh climatic, semi-arid conditions where potential evapotranspiration far exceeds seasonal rainfall, which is often below 600 mm. This approach not only ensures a reliable source of feed for livestock but also contributes to the overall resilience of farming systems. The success story of farmers like Gogo Consilia Nyamunda highlights the transformative impact of these efforts.

“The idea of testing new innovations has paid off. Despite the poor sandy soils in Buhera, these fodder crops (jack bean and pigeon pea) have done well!” says Isaiah Nyagumbo, a Systems Agronomist leading the CIMMYT component of the LIPS-Zim project. “This means we now have a more diverse range of leguminous fodder crop species that can be grown in these semi-arid conditions, apart from the more common ones such as mucuna, lablab, and cowpeas.”

Some preliminary laboratory results also suggest that jack bean contains much higher crude protein than popular fodder legumes like mucuna. Jack bean could thus offer a new resilient feed option for farmers in these drought-prone regions and can be grown as an intercrop or in rotation with cereals.

Transforming fodder production through mechanization

Tying the LIPS Zimbabwe project together is the introduction of the mechanization component, from planting to processing the fodder crops, which is crucial for increasing the scale of fodder production in Zimbabwe’s semi-arid regions. By processing forage legumes such as jack bean, lablab, pigeon pea, mucuna, and cowpea, farmers can ensure a steady supply of nutritious feed for their livestock, even in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.

Local farmers in Buhera have been equipped with machinery such as a chopper grinder, hay balers, planters, and tractors, and trained to use and maintain the equipment. “Among the machinery at hand, the hay baler has been a great win for me, especially for the cows,” says Gandani Nhachi. “Last season, I made 27 bales of fodder, which has been vital for my herd. I’ve also grown my goat herd from 16 last year to 35 this year,” he proudly shares.

Building resilience for the future

As climate change continues to challenge farmers, initiatives like LIPS Zimbabwe are essential for building resilience. By combining traditional knowledge with modern practices, scaling fodder production, and embracing mechanization, farmers in Buhera are better equipped to protect their livelihoods and ensure food security. As Gandani puts it, “Climate change is inevitable, but with the right practices, we can still thrive. When I give my goats food, they multiply. Even if one side fails, all hope is not lost.”

Nane Nane fair in Tanzania showcases agricultural innovation and collaboration

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Partners at the AID-I exhibition booth (Photo: CIMMYT)

In Tanzania, the first week of August is all about agriculture. From August 1 to 8, agricultural fairs, also known as Nane Nane fairs, are held all over the country to recognize the contribution of farmers to the national economy. ‘Nane Nane’ in the local language means ‘eight eight,’ referring to August 8, which is celebrated as Farmers Day in the country.

Organized by the Agricultural Society of Tanzania, these fairs serve as a landmark event for agricultural stakeholders across the region. This year, the 31st edition of the fair was organized at the Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma. It saw 500 exhibitors, including smallholder farmers, agricultural enterprises, public and private sector entities, and government officials.

Themed ‘Embrace Visionary Leadership for Agricultural Transformation,’ the event emphasized the need for leadership commitment to sustainable agriculture, while highlighting the critical role of agriculture in Tanzania’s economic growth and food security.

The Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by CIMMYT, along with several partners, played a prominent role at this year’s fair. In addition to raising awareness of the innovative work being done, the fair provided a platform for AID-I and its partners to showcase a range of innovative agricultural technologies designed to address the specific needs of Tanzanian farmers. The event also enabled AID-I and its partners to interact directly with farmers and entrepreneurs, resulting in valuable feedback. 

Celebrating the Success of AID-I Beneficiaries at Nane Nane

 

The Nane Nane fair was more than just a display of agricultural technologies. It was also a celebration of the successes of local entrepreneurs who had benefited from AID-I’s support.

Among them was Sarah Mashauri, an entrepreneur from the Tabora region, who ventured into the business world by producing and selling maize flour, both wholesale and retail. Starting with only one sack of maize and a loan of 100,000 Tanzanian shillings (approximately US$36), Sarah faced numerous obstacles, including regulatory challenges that resulted in the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority confiscating her items. The AID-I project recognized her potential and resilience. She was equipped with a milling and dehulling machine, which significantly improved her business. “Before the AID-I project came into my life, I was struggling on my own,” she said. “The support, coupled with the extensive training they provided, enabled me to scale up my operations. I went from employing seven people to 35, and my business expanded significantly. I am now able to source raw materials easily from small-scale farmers, thanks to the networks and training provided by AID-I.”

Agatha Laiza, managing director of Seasoning Palate, a food products company operating under the brand name Tobi Product in Dar es Salaam, is another entrepreneur who benefited from AID-I’s support. Agatha specializes in peanut butter, crunchy nuts, and peanut oil. Her journey began in 1996 with a focus on food product processing. She later realized the potential in peanut production and shifted to adding value to peanuts, while also addressing the critical issue of aflatoxin contamination. With support from AID-I, Agatha was able to build solar dryers for farmers and provide them with high-quality seeds, significantly reducing the risk of aflatoxin in their crops. “The support from USAID, CIMMYT, and AID-I has been invaluable,” Agatha said. “They have helped us build confidence among our farmers, reducing ground nut loss and ensuring safe, quality produce. Our factory, which can process up to three tons of peanuts daily, now operates more efficiently and our products are safer and more reliable.”

Aithan Chaula, executive director of the Dodoma Agriculture Seed Production Association (DASPA), also benefited from the AID-I project’s support. Since beginning pigeon pea production in 2022, DASPA saw substantial growth in demand for pigeon pea seeds, partnering with ALSSEM, a local seed production company.

DASPA expanded its operations to produce quality declared seeds (QDS) and certified seeds, catering to a growing market. Aithan attributed their success to the strategic support from AID-I and partnerships with organizations such as CIMMYT and ALSSEM. “The collaboration allowed us to expand our production capabilities and reach more farmers across various regions,” he said. DASPA is currently working with approximately 20,000 farmers and plans to increase this number by distributing small seed packs and conducting field demonstrations.

“This year at Nane Nane, we were able to distribute small packs of pigeon pea seeds to approximately 1,200 farmers to plant and farm,” said Aithan. “This effort, supported by AID-I, ensures that pigeon pea cultivation becomes well-known and widely adopted by farmers, contributing to both food security and income generation.”

The U.SA Ambassador to Tanzania interacting with exhibitors at the AID-I exhibition booth (Photo: CIMMYT)

Dr. Michael A. Battle Sr., the United States Ambassador to Tanzania, paid a visit to the AID-I exhibition booth. He engaged with AID-I representatives and the exhibitors, praising their innovative efforts to advance climate-smart agriculture and enhance food security. “It’s a joy to be participating in Nane Nane, particularly because USAID is interested in assisting Tanzania not only to become food secure but also to help with East Africa’s food security and ultimately the continent’s food security,” said Ambassador Battle Sr. He added that it was fulfilling to see the entire value chain of agriculture and agribusiness involving young people and old people engaged in the process of making Tanzania wealthier and more food secure.

For AID-I and its partners, the fair was a crucial opportunity to highlight ongoing initiatives and foster new partnerships. Peter Setimela, the Legume Seed Systems lead for AID-I, emphasized the importance of such events. “Our work in accelerating innovative technologies and ensuring they reach the farmers is reliant on strong partnerships. We bring these technologies to farmers by strengthening local seed systems, connecting farmers to financial services and products, and providing advisory services,” he said.

Rebecca’s Story of Turning Waste into a Livelihood

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Rebecca Benson, a 30-year-old mother of three from Igurusi village in Mbeya, Tanzania, is living proof of how small efforts against food loss can significantly impact people’s lives. Her journey unfolded during a recent USAID field mission in Tanzania for CIMMYT’s Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) project when we visited a grain storage facility operated by the Igurusi Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Society (AMCOS). This local cooperative provides storage facilities and connects rice farmers to buyers, ensuring their produce is preserved and marketed efficiently. The warehouse stores over 1,000 tons of paddy, which is dried, stored, and ready for market.

As we toured the warehouse, we noticed that between the collection and storage of produce, small amounts of paddy had spilled onto the ground. Although this might seem like a minor oversight, it quickly became clear that what could have been discarded as waste was, for some, a valuable resource.

Turning Food Loss into Livelihood

A few meters away, we noticed Rebecca winnowing paddy. Intrigued by the picturesque scene of wind blowing away chaff, we approached her and soon discovered her remarkable story. Initially shy, Rebecca gradually opened up to us and shared her story of resilience and great inspiration. Four years ago, Rebecca left a comfortable life for one filled with struggle. She had been in an abusive marriage but decided to rebuild her life after an altercation with her husband almost turned fatal.

“He would drink and become very violent. I had endured a lot but realized that he might one day kill me. I was very scared,” Rebecca narrated.

Starting life on her own and without access to her family’s land, she struggled to continue her rice farming, facing the overwhelming costs of leasing land and maintaining a farm. As her situation worsened, she found it increasingly difficult to provide for her children.

A happy Rebecca Benson winnowing paddy she collected from the ground at the Igurusi AMCOS (Photo: Maria Monayo, CIMMYT)

In her quest for survival, Rebecca began collecting waste paddy from spillage at the AMCOS warehouse. Initially, after threshing, it was just enough for her family to feed on, but she soon realized she could sell some of the rice to generate income. With the cooperative’s permission, she started collecting, cleaning, and selling the grains at Tsh 700 per kilogram. On average, Rebecca gathers over 20 kg of rice daily, which helps her pay rent, school fees, and feed her family. Although a tedious task to sift through the soil and rocks, Rebecca does it enthusiastically.

While she hopes to one day acquire land and return to farming, Rebecca remains grateful for the opportunity she has now. “It is hard work, and I want to improve my life and that of my children. I have not been able to save enough to lease land for farming, but that is my goal,” she said. The work also keeps her busy and has granted her independence from her abusive partner, allowing her to support her family on her own.

The Reality of Post-Harvest Grain Loss

In Sub-Saharan Africa, post-harvest grain loss amounts to millions of dollars in lost revenue and a reduction in food security due to inadequate storage facilities and improper handling during drying and transport. While AMCOS works hard to preserve crops and prevent large-scale food loss, the small quantities of spilled rice are an unavoidable consequence of handling large volumes. For Rebecca, however, these spilled grains represent a lifeline. Through her resourcefulness, she has turned what could have been wasted into an opportunity, providing her family with food and financial stability.

How effective soil aggregate management can boost productivity and climate resilience

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

Soils are the bedrock for plant health and sustenance, but how do we protect and enhance them to maximize their nutritional potential? Years of conventional farming practices have left many soils depleted, raising urgent concerns about how to rejuvenate them. The recent El Niño event during the 2023/24 farming season in southern Africa, bringing extreme weather conditions—ranging from prolonged droughts to intense floods—has exposed the vulnerability of these soils. Poorly managed soils, already strained by years of excessive tillage and lack of cover, struggle to retain moisture under such stress, leading to crop failures even after rainfall.

However, conservation agriculture (CA) offers a vital solution. By improving soil structure and moisture retention, CA practices provide a lifeline for crops in challenging conditions. Recognizing this, CIMMYT scientists are actively promoting CA among smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting its critical role in sustaining soil health and resilience in the face of climate challenges.

Isaiah Nyagumbo demonstrating soil aggregate stability (CIMMYT)

Described as lumps of soil particles that bind together strongly, soil aggregates play a vital role in maintaining soil health, supporting plant growth, and sustaining agricultural productivity. Formed by the combined effects of biological, chemical, and physical processes, the structure and stability of soil aggregates are crucial for several soil functions—primarily water infiltration, root growth, and resistance to erosion. Soil aggregates consist of various soil particles, including sand, silt, clay, and organic matter. There are different types of soil aggregates, including macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) and microaggregates (<0.25 mm), with macroaggregates typically more stable and beneficial for soil structure and functions.

Demonstrating the value of soil aggregate stability
A CIMMYT researcher holding a soil aggregate from a CA field (CIMMYT)

Imagine three soil aggregate samples taken from the same field but under different management regimes—from virgin soil that has not been previously cropped, to land under conservation agriculture practices for the last 5 to 8 years, and soil conventionally ploughed annually before crop planting for many years. When these soil aggregates are gently immersed in clear water, stark differences can be noted. The aggregates from conventionally tilled soil, weakened by years of intensive cultivation, quickly disintegrate, turning the water murky and brown.

In contrast, the aggregates from virgin soil remain intact, preserving the water’s clarity even after several hours. The CA soil aggregates exhibit much better stability than those from the conventionally tilled soil but fail to remain as intact as those from the natural virgin soil. A simple lesson is drawn from this demonstration! Restoring degraded soils is a serious challenge. Even after 5 years of CA practices, soil organic carbon levels may only show modest improvement, and the aggregates, while more stable, still don’t match the condition of aggregates from virgin soil.

Soil recovery from a degraded state is a slow process that is not “a walk in the park.” Transitioning from conventional tillage to CA is challenging and slow, requiring years to rebuild organic matter and improve aggregate stability. Patience and careful soil management are vital, as degradation can occur rapidly, but recovery is a lengthy process. However, incorporating organic soil amendments like manure and compost, along with diversifying crops by introducing legumes such as cowpea, groundnut, soybean, mucuna, and pigeon pea, can accelerate this recovery. While degradation occurs rapidly, soil restoration demands a long-term commitment, but the rewards are worth the effort.

Exploring conservation agriculture as a source to improve soil health

Conservation agriculture is built on three key principles: reduced soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and diverse crop rotation. Minimizing soil disturbance helps preserve soil structure, while permanent soil cover shields the soil against splash erosion and boosts microbial activity. Crop rotation enhances soil fertility, maintains aggregate structure, and disrupts pest and disease cycles. These principles are essential for soil recovery and the retention of organic matter.

Among these, permanent soil cover is often the most challenging for farmers to implement, yet it is critical for effective soil management. Demonstrating its importance, a simple test with water applied to soil samples with varying levels of cover illustrates splash erosion effects.

“Such a simple test mimics real-life conditions farmers face during rains. Soils without cover suffer significant erosion, while those with minimal or substantial cover show reduced erosion and improved water retention. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining permanent soil cover to foster microbial activity and enhance soil health,” highlighted Isaiah Nyagumbo, cropping systems agronomist.

In a nutshell, soil aggregate management is fundamental to climate resilience and agricultural sustainability. Through the adoption of conservation agriculture practices, smallholder farmers can significantly improve soil health, enhance water and nutrient retention, and increase crop resilience to climate stress. The journey from degraded to healthy soil is long and challenging, but with careful management and patience, the benefits are profound and lasting. By understanding and implementing these principles, farmers can build a more sustainable and resilient food system.

Empowering women in Zanzibar: the transformative impact of amaranth farming

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Mariam Salim with amaranth grain that is ready to harvest from her vegetable field. (Photo: World Vegetable Centre)

On Pemba Island, part of Tanzania’s Zanzibar archipelago, more women are engaging in vegetable production and value addition, bolstering household nutrition and income security. This movement is significant in areas where modern agricultural technology and awareness of nutrient-rich crops like amaranth—a vegetable high in fiber, protein, and essential micronutrients—are limited.

Mariam Salim, who lives in Mjini Ole village on Pemba Island, is among the women embracing amaranth cultivation. Along with 272 other farmers, 53% of whom are women, she attended a three-day training course on vegetable cultivation and value addition. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through CIMMYT under the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) project, and implemented by the World Vegetable Center, the training covered good agricultural practices, as well as the cultivation and processing of grain amaranth into flour.

The training equipped Mariam with essential knowledge and skills to enhance her agricultural productivity and livelihood.

Sowing seeds for success

Participants received seed kits containing eight varieties of nutritious traditional African vegetables, including African eggplant, African nightshade, amaranth, cowpea, and Ethiopian mustard. Farming a diverse range of crops supports food security and improves community nutrition.

During the training, Mariam realized the potential of growing grain amaranth for seed production. “I discovered that I could produce my own seeds and amaranth flour,” she said. “This opened up new opportunities for me to take control of my farming practices and increase my self-sufficiency.”

Seed production is a vital part of sustainable agriculture, enabling farmers like Mariam to boost productivity, diversify crops, and adopt climate-smart practices. By venturing into seed production, Mariam not only gained a valuable skill but also contributed to conserving and propagating important crop varieties within her community.

Mariam now sells seeds to other farmers, providing her with a new income source while supporting the broader agricultural community by facilitating access to quality seeds. Since the training in July 2023, Mariam has harvested 150 kg of seeds, selling them per kilogram (kg), earning US $450 and enhancing her household income security.

Healthy choices for communities

As the first woman in her community to undertake such an endeavor, Mariam is inspiring other women to explore new farming and food processing opportunities. Through the AID-I project on Zanzibar Island, more than 500 women have started home gardening to access quality vegetables for family consumption and business purposes, introducing new crop varieties and increasing household vegetable consumption.

This light bulb moment underscores the transformative power of education and knowledge-sharing initiatives under AID-I. By providing farmers with information on vegetable grain production and value addition, the project fosters self-reliance and innovation in sustainable farming practices.

Mariam’s detailed description of her seed production process highlights her dedication to agricultural innovation and community health. “It takes three months to harvest seeds, so I must be patient and committed to nurturing healthy crops,” she said. “I must also be precise in caring for the seeds through harvesting, drying, tapping, and sifting.”

The World Vegetable Center promotes home gardening among women. More than 500 participants actively cultivate and process vegetables into nutrient-dense packs. By growing their own vegetables, these women access nutritious food for their families, generate income from surplus produce, and improve health and well-being within the community.

Mariam Salim’s light bulb moment came during a training session on amaranth grain, where she recognized the potential of producing her own seeds. (Photo: World Vegetable Center)

Collins Makatiani Bulinda

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Bulinda is a Value Chains Specialist with 8 years of experience leading Value Chains design and analysis, Livelihood, and Social Protection Programs in rural and humanitarian settings across the country. He interacts closely with policy processes and actively engages in generating knowledge that improves the delivery of development programs in the region.

Bulinda is currently a consulting research associate at CIMMYT. He has previously worked for other organizations and projects, providing technical support in strategy and project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluations, and humanitarian programming. He has specifically worked on projects for CHASP, ACTS, ICIPE, GROOTS Kenya, AfriDev Consulting, 3R-Netherlands’s project, ILRI, and Policy and Market Options.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management and an MSc degree in Agribusiness Management at The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Agribusiness Management (CESAAM) from Egerton University.

Building Resilience in Tigray: How CSA is pioneering sustainable agriculture in Ethiopia

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Farmer Gidey explaining to the CIMMYT research team and implementing partners the multiple benefits of the CSA intervention in Folfolo village (Photo: Desalegne Tadesse).

Agricultural activities, particularly the production of cereal crops and major staple foods like maize, wheat, teff, barley, and sorghum, are vital to the livelihoods of rural communities in Ethiopia. For example, about 80% of agricultural operations in the Tigray region’s Adwa district are related to cereal production. However, this, as well as agriculture in general, is highly susceptible to the effects of climate variability and change, which have a direct influence on farming communities’ rural livelihoods.

With support from the Development Fund (DF), CIMMYT is collaborating with several partners to address the challenges caused by climate variability in agriculture through the implementation of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices. Efforts are currently focused on the Folfolo and Lalay Logomti watersheds in Adwa, where CSA demonstration sites are being implemented through Ethiopia’s Climate Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD)-II Program.

On 2 August 2024, CIMMYT scientists and experts from CSA-implementing partners under the CARD-II program visited the CSA demonstration sites to observe the ongoing activities, interact with farmers, and share their thoughts on progress so far.

Rehabilitating the natural environment

Since 2021, CIMMYT and partners, including the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), iDE, Women Empowerment Action, ORDA-Ethiopia, and HELVETAS, have been implementing numerous CSA-related activities on hillsides, farmlands, homesteads, and gullies. These activities provide multiple benefits for farmers to ensure food and nutrition security and include the management of natural resources, such as creating an arboretum, constructing trenches, and planting indigenous trees and forage plants in the upper catchments. Lower catchments and farmlands are undergoing biological and physical reclamation of gullies and riverbanks, trench construction, percolation ponds, crop diversification, and homestead plantations.

Moti Jaleta, a CIMMYT agricultural economist coordinating the implementation of CSA activities under the CARD-II Program, was excited by the visit and the effort farmers and partners have put into rehabilitating the natural environment and degraded croplands. He was also impressed by the food and feed crop technologies farmers have integrated into the rehabilitation work, as well as the overall benefits farmers have witnessed from their efforts.

“It is crucial to understand that the benefits of CSA technologies often extend beyond boosting yields,” said CIMMYT systems agronomist Tesfaye Shiferaw, who passionately described the program’s successes so far. “For example, in smallholder farming systems facing terminal droughts, an improvement in soil moisture content that would extend crop growth duration by just ten days can mean the difference between a complete crop failure and a normal yield.”

“This underscores the vital role of CSA technologies, especially under challenging conditions,” he explained. “During our field visit to those sites, such anecdotes were repeatedly emphasized.”

Natural resource management activity demo site at Gedeba watershed in Folfolo village (Photo: Desalegne Tadesse).

Streams begin to flow

Farmer testimonies from the field attest to the numerous benefits of CSA practices. “This area was known for its high runoff and water erosion some years ago,” said Giday Hagos, a 70-year-old farmer from Folfolo village. “Producing crops and engaging in other agricultural pursuits seemed unimaginable. But following the intervention of the CSA, I was very excited when the streams at the mountain’s base began to flow, and I started farming immediately using the stream for supplementary irrigation.”

Hagos used to grow cereal crops, but he was excited to make use of the potential offered by CSA technologies and has now shifted to market-driven commodities. “Last year, I was able to generate an income of about ETB 90,000 (approx. $815) from the sale of onions,” he explained. “And this year, expanded the farming activities to other areas by renting additional plots.”

The program was designed to increase productivity, adaptation, and sustainability while enhancing resilience to climate shocks through mitigation. So far, the successes are numerous. Upper catchment hills have seen an increase in vegetation cover, degraded lands have undergone regeneration, water runoff has decreased, groundwater yield has increased, streams and springs are thriving, soil moisture and forage availability have increased, and farmers have diversified their crop and livestock production. These are just a few of the multiple effects of the CSA technologies and practices implemented at the watershed level by the local farming community, the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), the Ethiopian government, and other local partners. The adoption of CSA technologies has also provided greater opportunities to reduce the harmful effects of climate change on agriculture and improve rural livelihoods.

Farmer Gidey Hagos, a champion farmer who practices CSA to grow maize intercropping with fruits and other crops using the percolation ponds at Folfolo watershed (Photo: Desalegne Tadesse).

The Sudan Food Security Initiative: Early wins amidst conflict and crisis

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

As the summer cultivation season began in May 2024, Fatima Hassan, a 52-year-old farmer from New Halfa, Kassala State, in eastern Sudan, faced an uncertain future. Like thousands of other farmers in her region, Fatima lacked the financial means to purchase seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, or even hire a tractor. The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan had severely disrupted agricultural activities, leaving farmers without the necessary resources to cultivate their land.

‘When I learned about the Sudan Food Security Initiative (SFSI), I was extremely happy. The support from the initiative has given me and my family renewed hope,’ Fatima said while tending to her groundnut farm.”

Fatima Hassan weeds her groundnut field cultivated with support from the SFSI. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

Under the aegis of the SASAS program, the USAID-funded SFSI was launched in May 2024 in response to Sudan’s food security challenges. Targeting over 50,000 farmers in the New Halfa scheme, the initiative aims to strengthen resilient food production systems by providing significantly subsidized agricultural inputs and technologies, ensuring that farmers can sustain and enhance their farming practices despite the ongoing conflict in the region.

Hamid Rahama expresses his gratitude to the tractor driver ploughing his land in New Halfa as part of the SFSI. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

Sowing seeds of optimism

‘Support from SASAS came at a critical time as the armed conflict spread into new areas across the country, de-risking the crucial summer planting season. Through the SFSI, we are enabling farmers to adopt improved technologies and inputs at more affordable rates, thereby enhancing Sudan’s domestic food production,’ said SASAS Program Chief of Party Abdelrahman Kheir.

The SFSI provides each farmer with a 70% subsidy on a comprehensive package that includes land preparation for 0.42 hectares (ha), improved seeds for groundnut and sorghum, crop protection supplies, fertilizers, and agricultural advisory services. This initiative has already resulted in the planting of 14,568 ha of sorghum and 5,882 ha of groundnut. The crops are showing promising signs, with germination progressing well across all cultivated areas.

‘We had lost all hope of benefiting during this cultivation season. The subsidized land preparation, seed purchase, and other inputs have given us a lifeline. In the past, I was not able to buy fertilizers and herbicides, so my sorghum production was poor. This time things have changed dramatically, and we are well-equipped for a good cultivation season,’ said Hamid Rahama, a farmer from northern Halfa. Hamid echoes the optimism shared by many farmers in the region.”

Focus on a sustainable and food secure ecosystem

One of the most significant aspects of the initiative is its focus on building a sustainable seed production system. In partnership with 120 farmers and a private seed company, 252 ha (189 ha of sorghum and 63 ha of groundnut) were established for seed production in New Halfa. The initiative is projected to yield 360 metric tons (t) of sorghum and 270 t of groundnut seeds, thereby enhancing the resilience of the local agricultural ecosystem.

The anticipated yields from these efforts instill a much-needed optimism in an otherwise challenging situation. For groundnuts, the expected yield is 4.5 t/ha, resulting in an output of 26,000 t, enough to meet the nutritional needs of over 1.2 million people. Likewise, the sorghum harvest is projected to reach 54,000 t, providing sustenance for approximately 720,000 people.

An agricultural expert from SASAS inspects the growth of groundnuts cultivated under the SFSI in New Halfa. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)
A farmer inspects the growth of his sorghum field in New Halfa cultivated with support from the SFSI. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

The bold sections indicate the changes made for grammatical correctness, including unit consistency and phrasing adjustments.

In addition to providing inputs, the SASAS program also addresses broader food security challenges by ensuring that farmers receive the necessary technical support throughout various agricultural operations. This includes the introduction of drought-tolerant sorghum varieties, which are showcased to farmers through field days and demonstration plots.

Despite the numerous challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, CIMMYT and its partners involved in implementing the SASAS initiative remain undeterred. Although the ongoing armed conflict has compelled many local agriculture advisory companies to scale back their operations due to security and logistical difficulties, the teams remain committed to supporting Sudanese farmers and improving agricultural productivity, thereby contributing to Sudan’s overall food security.

‘We lost a significant number of improved seed production fields due to the conflict. Nevertheless, we ensured the provision of all necessary certified seeds for the SFSI, along with top-quality herbicides,’ said the CEO of Harvest Agricultural Company Isam Ali. He added that despite considerable challenges in transporting agricultural machinery due to security issues, the company completed all land preparations in a timely manner for farmers.

The early impact of SFSI is evident in the renewed hope and optimism among farmers in New Halfa, who are now better equipped to face the challenges of the summer cropping season and contribute to the nation’s food security. With the harvest dates approaching—November for groundnuts and December for sorghum—the initiative is on track to significantly enhance food production in the region, providing a lifeline to thousands of farmers such as Fatima and Hamid.

Packing improved sorghum seeds for delivery to farmers as part of the SFSI in New Halfa. (Photo credit: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)

Buffering Climate Extremes in Zambia: The Essential Role of Delivery with a Difference

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs, Features.

Dr Sieg Snapp is Program Director, Sustainable Agrifood Systems, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Climate change is upending weather patterns across Africa, presenting dire challenges for farming communities. In Zambia, the impact is particularly harsh. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the economy, with two-thirds of the country’s workforce employed in agriculture, and 78% of these workers are women.

The country faced a severe El Niño during the 2023/2024 season, causing a severe drought that devastated over 1 million hectares of cropland. The president declared it a national disaster. El Niño events typically result in catastrophic drops in crop yields, often reducing maize harvests by 30-40%. These events not only impact food security but also hinder economic growth, with the agricultural sector’s contribution to Zambia’s GDP dropping from 9.4% to 3.39%.

The devastating El Niño-induced drought in Zambia is starkly illustrated by the story of Melody Limweta, a 31-year-old farmer. She and her husband, Collins Manenekela, have seen their already fragile livelihood pushed to the brink by severe water shortages. Typically, they rely on dry season gardening and small-scale farming, including raising chickens, during the rainy season. However, the drought has dried up local water sources, making gardening impossible and sharply reducing their income. The couple’s practice of planting maize in the same field each year with recycled seeds and traditional methods has worsened their situation, as the El Niño-induced rainfall deficits have led to poor yields. Their primary source of food and income has withered in the field due to insufficient rainfall.

A consortium of partners led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have joined together as a rapid delivery hub for these challenging times, providing vital support to rural communities and families such as Melody and Collins. Farmers have a strong voice in this unique delivery mode. With support from the people of the U.S. government, the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) is promoting access to drought-tolerant crops, climate-busting and nutritious legume seeds, agricultural advice and early warning systems to combat climate change. AID-I provides critical support to ensure that millions of smallholder farmers in the Haut-Katanga region of DR Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia have access to information and innovations needed for gains in food production that help buffer drought, flood and rising food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.

Speed and Scale: planting drought-tolerant maize

The idea of the ADI-I as a rapid delivery hub is to make available innovations and agronomic information at both speed and scale. Traditional farming methods and crops struggle with climate extremes like El Niño, which bring prolonged dry spells and heatwaves. Drought-tolerant maize varieties offer a promising solution by enhancing agricultural resilience. These adapted maize varieties yield 30-50% more than traditional ones under drought conditions, as demonstrated in recent trials during El Niño periods. However, these improved varieties are only useful when in farmers’ hands.

Working with local partners, AID-I is scaling drought-tolerant maize varieties to help Zambian farmers manage unpredictable weather patterns. In the 2023/2024 season, approximately 27% of Zambia’s smallholder farmers saw a significant boost in their maize harvests, benefiting over 900 thousand people in drought-affected regions, owing to drought-tolerant maize varieties. Over six hundred thousand households planted drought-tolerant maize varieties and produced 235 thousand metric tons of maize, accounting for 19% of Zambia’s maize production in the 2023/2024 season. This is huge return, as only 10% of the maize-growing area being planted with these resilient varieties.

Crop diversification for family nutrition

In addition to drought-tolerant maize, studies indicate that diversifying with legume crops is crucial for managing weather extremes, especially droughts and for improving soil health. Planting legumes helps spread the risk with varied planting and harvest times, cushioning the impact of erratic rainfall on crop yields. Women can feed their families due to crops like peanuts that mature early and need less rainfall. The benefits are sustained over time, as combining legumes with cereals improves overall nutrition and soil health, even amid unpredictable weather.

To support this effort, AID-I linked over 2,000 farmers to high-quality seeds for groundnuts (peanuts) and soybeans. On average, each household harvested about 80 kg of groundnuts and 175 kg of soybeans, earning roughly $75 and $58, respectively. Collectively, this initiative produced about 205 metric tons of these crops, accounting for around 14.3% of Zambia’s total production in the drought-stricken season. Farmers had a voice in choosing which crop varieties to grow through a feedback system called ‘let’s chat’ where with an ordinary flip phone farmers could call in and learn from their neighbour’s recorded commentary and testimonials. For the first time ever, farmers could provide comments on which crops they preferred, providing a lifeline of communication with agritraders, government and agricultural advisors.

A recent assessment found that Zambian women made up 60% of those benefiting from cowpeas, 65% from groundnuts, 62% from soybeans, and 36% from drought-tolerant maize.

Forewarned is forearmed – early-warning systems

Weather information services, especially early warnings about upcoming droughts, are vital for helping farmers adapt to climate change. Accurate and timely weather forecasts enable farmers to make informed decisions about planting, resource use, and crop management. This reduces losses and boosts productivity. Research shows that access to climate information can significantly increase crop yields and incomes, with some farmers experiencing up to a 66% boost in yields and a 24% rise in income.

The forecast of an El Niño for the 2023/2024 season prompted an early warning campaign to raise awareness about the hazards associated with El Niño and provide response mechanisms for smallholder farmers.  AID-I used an Interactive Voice Response platform hosted by Viamo, a global social enterprise that uses mobile technology to connect people to valuable information and services. This rapid El Niño advisory campaign reached over 500 thousand farmers, with 60% male and 40% female listeners, and 93% of them under 35 years old. The campaign provided crucial advice on planting schedules, drought-resistant crops, and water-saving techniques.

Additionally, AID-I established demonstration sites that showcased effective winter crop production methods and introduced over 2,000 farmers to innovative agricultural practices. These interventions significantly improved farmers’ ability to respond to the drought.

Looking ahead

Scaling the adoption of drought-tolerant maize, improved legumes, and timely advisories is vital to protecting Zambia’s agriculture from climate extremes. The introduction of an AID-I-supported digital advisory campaign in September 2023 was a turning point for farmers like Melody and Collins. By engaging with the content, they learned about improved seeds, crop rotation, and better agronomic practices, which helped them cope with ongoing challenges and protect their resources. Initiatives like this can help families on the margins survive and rebuild agricultural production faster.

AID-I’s impact on families like Melody and Collins shows that investing in rapid delivery hubs is crucial for building resilience in farming communities. Expanding such initiatives will ensure more smallholder farmers have access to the innovations needed to maintain or increase food production amid climatic challenges.

Additionally, studies by organizations like Springer and the American Geophysical Union highlight the importance of integrating rapid delivery hubs into mainstream agricultural programs to enhance climate resilience and food security. Therefore, this necessitates an open call for international development allies—including donors, governments, NGOs, and businesses—to incorporate initiatives like AID-I into broader agricultural agendas, essential for fostering resilience and ensuring the future stability of farming communities in Zambia and beyond.

*Dr. Sieg Snapp is a leading agricultural scientist, renowned for creating the “mother and baby” trial design, a global method that enhances farmer-researcher collaboration, improving genetics and soil management in 30 countries. As Program Director at CIMMYT in Mexico, she oversees sustainable agrifood systems research, leading a large team focused on supporting smallholder farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Her work emphasizes gender-aware, inclusive development and has fostered partnerships for sustainable agricultural practices. A Professor at Michigan State University with over 180 publications, Dr. Snapp has also significantly influenced agricultural policy and technology adoption in Africa. Her contributions have earned her numerous prestigious awards, and she holds a Ph.D. from the University of California Davis.

Original article published in Pan African Visions

Enhancing farmer’s crop productivity with resilient maize varieties tailored to their needs

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

Dorothy Mandaza, local farmer from ward 19 of Seke District, inspecting her maize cobs (CIMMYT)

Maize productivity in eastern and southern Africa faces numerous challenges, including biotic and abiotic stresses, as well as socio-economic factors. To tackle these constraints, CIMMYT, in collaboration with partners, has been developing elite multiple stress-tolerant maize hybrids for different market segments. The hybrids are rigorously evaluated in research stations under managed stresses, especially those faced by farmers, including drought, heat, and low nitrogen. The process is complemented with evaluations conducted in actual farmer conditions through a participatory approach, which enables researchers to identify traits preferred by farmers.

Over the years, and through consistent engagement with farming communities, CIMMYT and partners have established a large on-farm testing network to allow farmers to test the best-performing hybrids within their own fields and management. This ensures that new varieties selected for commercialization suit the needs, constraints, and priorities of smallholder farmers.

Centrality of ROFT in the variety development process
Regional on-farm trials (ROFTs) are a crucial step towards maximizing the impact of breeding investments. ROFTs help scientists understand the performance of pipeline hybrids under diverse management conditions. The data and insights gathered from these trials, led by district leads, are instrumental in identifying the best varieties to release. In Zimbabwe, the extensive on-farm testing is conducted with support from Zimbabwe’s government extension arm, the Department of Agricultural, Technical, and Extension Services (Agritex), and selected seed companies.

To help track the progress or challenges in varietal performance evaluation at the farm level, CIMMYT has been convening feedback sessions with district agriculture extension officers (DAEOs) across 19 districts. These sessions have been instrumental in strengthening the collaboration with Agritex, standardizing data collection, and improving data quality and returns from the established on-farm testing network.

Conversations with district agriculture extension officers in Harare during a feedback session. (Photo/CIMMYT)

The ROFT trials have been ongoing in Zimbabwe for over a decade across 19 districts, located in natural regions I, II, and III. These trials have been implemented by more than 137 AEOs and have involved over 1,000 farmers. The network deliberately included a diverse range of farmers, with around 40% being female plot managers, to encompass a wide range of smallholder farming practices.

Participatory engagement is key
Every year, CIMMYT produces improved varieties that are then taken up by partners, including National Agricultural Research System (NARS) partners and seed companies. The on-farm trials aim to generate agronomic performance data in comparison to the widely grown commercial varieties and farmers’ own varieties. This data is used for a rigorous advancement process, where varieties that pass the test are then furthered for licensing and possible commercialization by CIMMYT’s partners.

Farmer involvement at the final stage of the variety selection process is key to the success of these trials. Farmers evaluate the varieties based on their specific needs, on their farms. This step is crucial as it empowers farmers to have a say in the variety development process. CIMMYT actively uses this participatory selection approach, seeking input from farmers and refining breeding targets as necessary. Farmers communicate their preferences and feedback through the farmer evaluation sheets, helping breeders fine-tune their targets and develop varieties that meet farmers’ needs.

Another key element of the on-farm trials is that they help assess breeding progress in farmers’ fields in terms of crop productivity and return on investment.

CGIAR launches pilot programme on agroecological solutions

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CGIAR has launched a pilot program in Zimbabwe’s Mbire and Murehwa districts to promote agroecological solutions, with CIMMYT as a key partner. The initiative aims to develop sustainable farming practices by addressing challenges like pest outbreaks, drought, and access to quality seeds. CIMMYT’s involvement includes introducing innovative technologies such as demonstration plots and seed fairs, designed to enhance agricultural resilience and sustainability in the region. This collaborative effort seeks to empower local farmers and create a more sustainable agricultural system in Zimbabwe.

Read the full story.