The State of Mexico is supporting native corn preservation by providing MX$3.5 million in financial aid and equipment to local farmers. In collaboration with CIMMYT and UNAM, the government is advancing research to improve open-pollinated varieties and promote sustainable farming. As part of this effort, 833 seed accessions have been donated to enhance biodiversity and strengthen traditional maize cultivation. This initiative aims to support farmers while preserving Mexico’s rich maize heritage.
Somewhere in the enchanted valley of Santa Catarina Lachatao, Oaxaca, under the vast blue sky and in the heart of a land full of history and hope, Fabián Marcos Cano and Tomasa García Pérez are working toward the future they have long envisioned, their hands deep in the soil. In this land, where the Zapoteclanguage gives its name to the territory, each seed sown by their hands is an act of trust.
Fabián, his gaze marked by years of experience, speaks of his land with the pride of someone who has learned to listen to the voice of the earth. “We used to plant the way God guided us,” he says, recalling the days when farming was a practice of intuition and inherited wisdom.
Today, with the support of SEFADER technicians like Reinalda Gómez and her team, they have transformed their approach to farming. Fabián and Tomasa have learned to respect the rhythms of the soil, to give back what they take, and to see each plant through a new lens. “It’s like food for food,” Fabián explains.
Corn and beans grow unhurriedly in their fields. The land is enriched with crop residues that were once fed only to livestock, along with compost that was once discarded. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s our life,” says Fabián, with the firm determination of someone who understands that effort is part of the cycle.
For Tomasa, each harvest is a link to her ancestors. “The land gives us life,” she says with unwavering certainty. In her fields, milpa thrives alongside squash, beans, amaranth, and purslane, in a balance that requires patience and respect. She has learned to let nature do its work, to understand that burning fields robs the soil of its ability to renew itself. “We pile up the weeds, let them decompose, and that’s how the land nourishes itself,” she explains.
The journey has not been easy. Last year, a violent storm destroyed much of their crop. “It grew beautifully, but the wind tore everything down,” Fabián recalls with resignation. But they are not giving up. “We make do with what God gives us, because it is more than enough for us.” What remains is harvested as seed for the next cycle.
Every application of bio-inputs, every crop diversification, every lesson shared by agricultural engineers has changed their way of farming and their understanding of life. The land, once seen as an adversary that imposed its own rules, is now an ally that responds generously to care.
The story of Fabián and Tomasa is a testament to resilience and learning. It is proof that agriculture can be different, that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand. Because in every bean they harvest, in every ear of corn they save for the next cycle, there is a valuable lesson: the land gives back what it receives. And in Santa Catarina, under the sun that shines on Fabián and Tomasa’s fields, life flourishes with strength.
María Luisa Cabrera in the laboratory where she conducts her research at CIMMYT. (Photo: Francisco Alarcón / CIMMYT)
The progress of science and technology depends on the diversity of talent that contributes to its development. However, the participation of women in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remains limited. In Mexico, only 22% of women enrolled in higher education choose STEM fields, and according to the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), only 13.5% graduate.
This situation presents both challenges and opportunities. Science, especially in critical areas such as food security and nutrition, needs a greater presence of women to drive significant change. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has highlighted the urgency of integrating more women researchers into agricultural science to accelerate innovations that improve production and the well-being of rural communities.
One example of the transformative impact of women in science is María Luisa Cabrera Soto. Since childhood, Luisa was inspired by female scientists she saw in the media, which fueled her dream of working in a laboratory. “These women were my reference, my source of inspiration. I visualized myself and said, ‘I want to work in a lab.'” But her journey was not easy. Coming from a family with traditional gender expectations, she faced resistance to her desire to pursue a career in science.
The first obstacle she encountered was her family’s outright disapproval. “I come from a family of six women and a patriarchal figure. Hearing phrases like ‘you are not capable of studying something as complex as science or mathematics’ was the first barrier I had to overcome,” she recalls.
“I had to break these family stigmas, these traditions, and say to myself: ‘I am capable of studying what motivates and inspires me, which is science. Being a woman does not limit me to domestic activities.'”
Today, the girl who once dreamed of working in a laboratory is part of the CIMMYT research team. As a research assistant, her work in chromatography—a process that allows the separation, identification, and quantification of chemical components in various mixtures—helps assess the nutritional quality of various crops, primarily maize. Her work has a direct impact on the nutrition and health of various populations, as well as the livelihoods of agricultural producers.
María Luisa’s story has become an inspiration to her sisters, who have also ventured into the world of science, demonstrating how one personal choice can inspire change across generations. “I broke the paradigm in my family, and fortunately my four younger sisters also chose science. It was a change that broke down a major barrier in my home.”
Through their scientific work, Luisa and other female researchers at CIMMYT are making a significant contribution to improving the human condition in a sector where women play a critical role in food production and security, from the field to the laboratory.
The low percentage of women in STEM fields in Mexico and globally is not only an issue of equity—it is also an obstacle to developing innovative solutions in key sectors. According to UNESCO, only 33.3% of researchers worldwide are women. Luisa’s message to girls and young women in Mexico is clear: “Follow your dreams, question the world, and don’t let social ideologies or family traditions dampen your curiosity and enthusiasm. More and more women are joining this field, and we must support one another.”
CIMMYT collaborated with Tecnologico de Monterrey’s FEMSA Biotechnology Center in the development and validation of nutraceutical corn. By leveraging Mexico’s maize diversity through the world’s largest germplasm bank, CIMMYT contributed expertise in crossbreeding to help incorporate traits such as higher protein, fatty acids, and antioxidants, supporting advancements in food security and sustainable agriculture.
Julio Berdegué Sacristán is Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development and serves ex officio as Honorary Chair of the Board of Trustees.
An accomplished agronomist with advanced degrees from UC Davis and Wageningen University, Dr. Julio Berdegué brings over 30 years of expertise in rural development and agricultural policy. He has held prominent roles, including leading food security initiatives in Latin America as FAO’s Regional Representative (2017–2022) and serving in various leadership positions at the Latin American Center for Rural Development (1988–2016).
He has led over 15 major projects across Latin America, published 13 books, and authored more than 300 scientific works. Recently, he coordinated rural development and food sovereignty discussions in Claudia Sheinbaum’s Diálogos por la Transformación campaign.
Members of the Maíz Criollo Kantunil group next to a plot of land cultivated using sustainable practices (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
The Mexican Revolution was not the only transformative movement to emerge in Mexico. Another profound transformation began in the Mexican countryside, and today, far from guns, today it continues to drive a more peaceful and resilient society through the integration of science, innovation and ancestral knowledge.
In the 1960s, Mexico set a precedent for global agricultural change. Today, that movement has evolved into a sustainability approach that responds to today’s challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss and the need to ensure food security. Under CIMMYT’s leadership, the Hub model has established itself as a key tool for delivering scientific solutions to producers, strengthening resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
At CIMMYT, we believe that ensuring food security means not only producing healthier food but also conserving natural resources such as soil and water and promoting the well-being of farmers and their communities. Through the Hub model, we have promoted practices such as the sustainable management of staple crops such as maize and related crops, and the use of strategies to strengthen the seed system to meet the challenges of the agricultural sector.
A clear example of this approach is the Maíz Criollo Kantunil group in Yucatán. Led by Edgar Miranda, this collective of eight families has adopted innovative practices such as regenerative agriculture, efficient water use and agroecological pest management. By linking with the Hub model, the group has been able to conserve native seeds, strengthen local agroecology and generate social and productive benefits for their community.
“Our main objective is that the next generations will have seeds available to meet their food needs,” said Edgar Miranda. “We work with sustainable practices that allow us to conserve our resources and produce healthy crops,” he added.
In addition to supporting producers, the Hub model fosters associativity and community participation, essential pillars for building inclusive and resilient food systems. These activities are in line with national initiatives such as strengthening production chains, but also reflect CIMMYT’s commitment to a global approach to sustainable development.
CIMMYT’s strategy in Mexico not only supports producers in transforming their agricultural systems, but also promotes strategic alliances with public and private actors. These collaborations strengthen the integration of scientific solutions and sustainable practices, stimulate innovation in rural communities, and promote resilience to the challenges of climate change. With an approach based on science, inclusiveness and continuous learning, CIMMYT continues to contribute to building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous future for Mexico and the world.
At the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, CIMMYT was distinguished through Jelle Van Loon, Juan Cortina, and Andrea Gardeazabal, who are driving collaboration, the use of open data, and regenerative practices to address the climatecrisis and transform agriculture.
Jelle Van Loon during his participation in the panel “Transitioning to Regenerative Agriculture in Mexico: Corporate and Government Programs Supporting Small Growers to Adopt Climate-Smart Practices.” (Photo: Francisco Alarcón / CIMMYT)
At the recent World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit (October 29-30), two representatives and a member of CIMMYT’s Board of Directors—Jelle Van Loon (Associate Director of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Regional Representative for Latin America), Andrea Gardeazabal (Manager of Monitoring and Evaluation of Information and Communication Technology for Agriculture at CIMMYT), and Juan Cortina (member of CIMMYT’s Board of Directors and President of the National Agricultural Council)—shared a comprehensive view on the challenges and progress towards a more sustainable and resilient agriculture. The event brought together global leaders in technology, innovation, and sustainability, serving as a platform to highlight CIMMYT’s role in transforming the agri-food sector.
Andrea Gardeazabal, in her presentation, highlighted the urgency of addressing the climate crisis with actions based on data and collaboration. “With 10 years of data on regenerative practices, we are moving towards an agriculture that not only restores ecosystems but also responds to the challenges of climate change,” Andrea said. She emphasized the importance of creating an environment of open and standardized data access for regenerative agriculture to scale globally. Through a long-term testing network and the development of digital technologies, CIMMYT has laid the groundwork for practices that optimize agronomic management and improve water use efficiency—critical in the current context of water scarcity.
Andrea Gardeazabal, during her participation in the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit. (Photo: Francisco Alarcón / CIMMYT)
Juan Cortina underscored the importance of collaboration between Mexico and the United States for the growth of Mexico’s agri-food sector. He emphasized how nearshoring, promoted since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), has allowed Mexico to specialize in products that complement U.S. production. “Our country is the ninth-largest agricultural producer and the seventh-largest agro-exporter in the world, which demonstrates the impact of strategic collaboration in North America,” said Cortina. He also highlighted that this supply chain integration, strengthened by access to key inputs such as U.S. corn, is vital for the region’s food security.
Jelle Van Loon emphasized that CIMMYT’s role at the World Agri-Tech Summit reflects the organization’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. He highlighted how Andrea and Juan’s interventions underscored CIMMYT’s multidimensional approach: combining science and practice, applying advanced technology, and fostering global partnerships to accelerate agricultural transformation. “Our work at CIMMYT is an example of how collaboration and knowledge-sharing can have a real and lasting impact on agriculture and global food security,” concluded Jelle.
Juan Cortina, a member of CIMMYT’s Board of Directors, participates in the panel discussion “Capitalizing on Nearshoring: Alliances between Mexico and International Partners.” (Photo: Francisco Alarcón / CIMMYT)
CIMMYT’s message at the event was clear: to scale up regenerative agriculture and address climate challenges, we need more data, more collaboration, and a shared vision of the future. In Andrea’s words: “Safe and sustainable agricultural transformation will only be possible if we work together and share our progress and knowledge on a global scale.”
Innovation in the agricultural sector demonstrates that science, technology, and collaboration are essential to achieve resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture. These forums encourage the agri-food sector to strengthen collaborative networks and food security, thus promoting a brighter agricultural future.
At COP29, the Rockefeller Foundation highlighted its support for CIMMYT through a grant focused on advancing regenerative agricultural practices on farms in Mexico. This collaboration underscores CIMMYT’s pivotal role in driving sustainable farming solutions that enhance food security, environmental resilience, and biodiversity conservation. By integrating regenerative techniques into agrifood systems, CIMMYT contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change while safeguarding the productivity and health of vital ecosystems.
Climate change-induced drought is jeopardizing barley production in Mexico’s Altiplano, which supplies 93% of the country’s barley, putting both local and global beer supplies at risk. To combat this, CIMMYT and Heineken Mexico have launched the “Cultivando un México Mejor” program, which promotes conservation agriculture practices to optimize water use, retain soil moisture, and increase yields. This initiative aims for 100% sustainably produced barley by 2030, helping farmers adapt to climate challenges while supporting the brewing industry’s sustainability goals.
Germplasm Bank team that participated in the new shipment of seeds to Svalbard (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
In an act that underlines Mexico’s commitment to biodiversityconservation and global food security, CIMMYT has delivered its ninth shipment of maize seeds to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This deposit marks a significant milestone, completing 90% of the maize collection and 92% of the wheat collection, making CIMMYT one of the leading custodians of the world’s agricultural biological heritage.
The Svalbard Vault, known as the “vault at the end of the world,” is an impressive repository located on a Norwegian island, more than 8,000 kilometers from Mexico. Its purpose is to store seeds from around the world to protect biodiversity from natural disasters, conflicts, or the effects of climate change. With this latest shipment, Mexico strengthens its role in conserving seeds that, in critical situations, could mean the difference between the collapse or resilience of global food systems.
Cristian Zavala, germplasm conservation specialist at CIMMYT, emphasized the importance of this shipment for the maize and wheat collections. “This shipment is essential to ensure the availability of seeds in the future,” said Zavala, alluding to the long process needed to complete the conservation of the collections. “While this is not the last shipment to Svalbard, it is a critical one to ensure the availability of the seed in the future,” he added.
These efforts are aimed not only at protecting the genetic diversity of these crops but also at ensuring that the seed is available for distribution. Zavala explained, “In addition to supporting 92% of this shipment, the wheat collection has reached 90% availability for distribution, which makes us eligible to participate in long-term funding.” This availability is key to ensuring food security and allows these seeds to be recovered and distributed to regions that may need repatriation.
The CIMMYT Germplasm Bank at Texcoco, which houses the largest and most diverse collections of maize and wheat in the world, serves not only Mexico but all of humanity. Protected as a “global good,” these seeds are available for research, agriculture, and education. “When we talk about a public good or a global good, we mean that all of humanity has the right to enjoy this diversity in a responsible way,” said Zavala.
The Svalbard Vault, with its ability to withstand natural disasters and other threats, is a guarantee to the countries that store their seed collections there. In Zavala’s words, “If this diversity is lost, only these types of gene banks can and will be able to return it to its place of origin.” This reflects the global and collaborative effort needed to conserve agricultural biodiversity.
This achievement is the result of a collective effort. “To make this shipment possible, a large team of people participated. This year, about 50 people supported this set of seeds,” said Zavala. Conservation of genetic resources is a team effort that involves many actors to ensure the availability of these seeds in the future.
The shipment to Svalbard is a reminder of the importance of gene banks as a critical tool in addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring global food security. The seeds sent are not intended for immediate cultivation but will serve as a backup, ready to be used in the event of a disaster affecting the original collections. In this way, Mexico is contributing to a public good of inestimable value for all humanity.
In a world increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, or social instability, these shipments are more than just storage. They are an act of collective responsibility that will allow humanity to maintain its ability to feed and thrive.
In Colombia, maize is the most important cereal, integral to culture, tradition, and diet. In 2019, Colombia consumed 7.2 million tons of maize, a quarter of which was white-grain maize used for human food (the remainder was yellow-grain maize for animal feed, with a small portion for industrial uses). National production is concentrated in the departments of Meta, Tolima, Córdoba, Huila, and Valle del Cauca. Native and creole maize varieties—the latter comprising farmer varieties of mixed native and other ancestries—are grown for use in traditional dishes or for sale at local markets.
Due to climate change, socioeconomic pressures, and the out-migration of smallholder farmers seeking better livelihoods, native maize varieties and the unique genetic qualities those varieties embody are endangered. We aim to design strategies that benefit smallholders who wish to continue in agriculture and perhaps continue growing native varieties valued in their communities, fostering the conservation and production of native maize. CIMMYT in Mexico has already facilitated commercial linkages between chefs in Mexico City and tourist areas (for example, in the states of Oaxaca, Yucatán, and the State of Mexico), sourcing blue maize landrace grain from farmers in mutually beneficial arrangements.
CIMMYT and local partners have launched an ambitious initiative to map and strengthen the value chain of native maize in the departments of Nariño, Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Valle del Cauca, and Putumayo to promote beneficial farmer-market linkages and better understand Colombia’s maize value chain. Carried out under the Nature Positive Initiative of OneCGIAR, the project is documenting maize conservation, marketing, and consumption to design a critical path that strengthens the value chain of Colombian native maize and benefits agriculture and the economy of rural Colombian communities.
Most native maize varieties in Colombia are grown on small plots for home consumption, exchange, and the sale of surplus grain. “The production is planned so that the percentage of sales is lower than consumption,” explains a farmer from Nariño. “Maize grain is sold in traditional markets, typically on Saturdays or Sundays, most often as fresh white and yellow corn.”
In such markets, farmers may also sell their grain to intermediaries, but only in the markets of Nariño is the sale of creole and native maize varieties acknowledged. Varieties include yellow Capia, white Capia, yellow Morocho, and Granizo, with Chulpe being less common. The grain purchased is used to prepare a variety of traditional dishes and beverages.
The most commonly grown varieties are intended for the market and probably the regional and urban cultural groups that consume them, such as in Guaitarilla, Nariño, where large crops of white maize are marketed through intermediaries and traders to satisfy demand.
“A variety that is not widely grown may become more prominent due to market changes—such as the rise of niche markets,” the research team notes. Good examples are the departments of Pasto, Nariño, and Cundinamarca, where maize is increasingly grown to meet demand from buyers of purple or colored maize.
We have already identified several possible niche markets for smallholder maize varieties:
Fair trade enterprises. They promote the commercialization of national products at fair prices for farmers, offering maize in various forms from regions such as Boyacá and Cundinamarca.
Restaurants. They use maize in traditional dishes, reinterpretations of Colombian cuisine, and culinary experiments.
Small-scale local intermediaries. Without a fixed physical space, they distribute products to end users and other businesses.
Callanas and ricota, Pasto, Nariño. (Foto: Andrea Gómez)
Significant challenges may hamper these and other possible market opportunities in the maize value chain. Farmers, for example, face high production costs, climate change losses, competition from neighboring countries, dependence on intermediaries for sales, and a lack of land. For their part, buyers struggle with obtaining consistent production volumes from farmers, lack storage infrastructure, and face postharvest pest and disease management challenges.
While they are compelled by the need to feed their families and, if possible, grow enough grain to sell for a profit, smallholder maize farmers have also expressed interest in preserving maize diversity and their cultural practices.
“We are not interested in growing monocultures for marketing; we grow maize out of love to continue preserving it,” comments a farmer from Nariño. Another farmer adds: “I would grow or sell more if the production were aimed at protecting agrobiodiversity, food security, sovereignty, and preserving cultural practices.”
Focus group with farmers in Córdoba, Nariño on the importance of maize landrace conservation (Picture Janeth Bolaños)
To understand how niche markets could influence the conservation and rescue of native and creole maize in Colombia and, at the same time, design a critical path that strengthens the value chain and promotes fair and efficient niche markets, CIMMYT and its partners are conducting focus group interviews and buyer-meets-seller events. The aim is to mitigate challenges highlighted by the actors and create beneficial conditions for farmers and consumers, promoting a better future for Colombian smallholder farmers.
We deeply thank CIMMYT partners in Colombia for their contributions to this work: Andrea Gomez, Andrea Pinzón, and Jeisson Rodríguez.
Walking methodologies for CIMMYT’s South Pacific hub (Photo: CIMMYT)
“We know about what CIMMYT has done with the hubs here in Mexico, so we’re trying to understand how this methodology works, what happens within the research platforms, in the parcels, the relationship between these two spaces, the technological menus, and how that menu is reaching up to farmers,” says Emmanuel Ekom, from the Ernest and Young team (organization which in the framework of Excellence in Agronomy, a CGIAR initiative) studies how innovation is rising in agriculture.
“We understand that CIMMYT in Mexico has been able to create an innovation approach that prioritizes the farmer. I came from Nigeria with my team, and we are delving ourselves into this approach to comprehend its functioning and see if we can replicate these brilliant ideas in several other countries of the Global South. So, we have visited many interesting hubs in all Mexico,” says Emmanuel.
“One of the most interesting things we were able to experience in one of the hubs was that the mayor from a small town was trained by CIMMYT staff. He understood what the agriculture conservation involves and had contributed to share this knowledge to his people”, mentions Emmanuel who also highlights the participation and inclusion from both private, public, and teaching institutions in the operation of the hubs.
“You could see their faces fill with excitement, especially farmer women when they were talking about how much time they could have saved if they had used the technology developed by CIMMYT and its collaborators. Such methodology is not only making life easier, but it’s also driving farmer women to increase their incomes and helping them save time so that they concentrate on other things. Just the same, I was able to see how the gender-based approach is coping with CIMMYT’s goal and that’s impressive”, says Emmanuel.
“I saw first-hand how the hubs’ function had made an impact on farmers lives, but the most interesting part was seeing both hubs’ managers and farmers get along very well. Every time we went to a parcel, our plan was to only visit one farmer but sometimes we ended up visiting 10 or 15, and the manager would go and chat with them. And I think that’s amazing”, says Emmanuel, for whom the experience of the hubs in Mexico will allow him to draw up the path to replicate this methodology in other latitudes.
Distinguished Scientist and Head of Wheat Physiology at CIMMYT, Matthew Reynolds, received the Research.com Plant Science and Agronomy in Mexico Leader Award 2024 for placing 53rd in the world and 1st in Mexico in the Research.com ranking of Best Plant Science and Agronomy Scientists 2023.
“Being recognized with this award highlights the far-reaching influence of the wheat science taking place in Mexico and its impact on the development of agronomy around the world,” said Reynolds. “Sharing outputs as international public goods with scientists globally has positive benefits for smallholder farmers and their communities. Widening genetic diversity for key traits helps to improve yield and climate resilience -including resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, providing reliable harvests and food security.”
Specializing in technologies to increase the productivity of wheat cropping systems around the world, Reynolds has helped to create a new generation of advanced lines at CIMMYT through physiological breeding approaches that widen the genepool, increasing understanding of yield potential and adapting wheat to drought and heat, developing high throughput phenotyping methodologies, and training other researchers.
Reynolds developed and led the Heat and Drought Wheat Improvement Consortium (https://hedwic.org/) and initiated a global academic network that led to the International Wheat Yield Partnership (https://iwyp.org/), where he champions collaboration that brings together plant science expertise from around the globe to boost yield and climate resilience.
Other CIMMYT scientists in the top 100 world rankings include Distinguished Scientist and former Head of Global Bread Wheat Improvement Ravi P. Singh in 57th place globally and 2nd in Mexico, and Distinguished Scientist in the Biometrics and Statistics Unit, José Crossa, who ranked 59th globally and 3rd in Mexico.
This is the third edition of Research.com positioning scholars based on their research output in plant science and agronomy. Rankings are allocated based on a detailed study of 166,880 scientists in bibliometric data sources, with up to 10,700 people analyzed for this field of work.
Bram Govaerts receives Guillaume Grosso at CIMMYT’s global headquarters. (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
The visit of Grosso was much more than a courtesy call. As the largest research center in CGIAR, CIMMYT plays a significant role. Grosso’s visit also came at an important moment for CIMMYT as it reorients its people and culture, operations, and research to address today’s challenges of food security, climate change mitigation, and agricultural development.
“CIMMYT was pleased to have Guillaume for a few days,” said CIMMYT’s Director General, Bram Govaerts. “We discussed areas where CIMMYT can most deliver value in CGIAR and shared all our important advancements in revamping our organizational capacity and forward-thinking vision to meet current food system demands.”
A central focus of CGIAR’s and CIMMYT’s work is the creation of resilient and inclusive food systems. Effective operations are essential for delivering research that will advance agrifood systems towards a sustainable, food-secure future.
Grosso joins CIMMYT colleagues for lunch. (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
“I enjoyed speaking with CIMMYT’s scientists and staff, who embody a spirit of dedicated, collective action towards creating systems that produce more nutritious food for vulnerable populations. I am confident that the CGIAR-CIMMYT integrated partnership will only accelerate the needed inclusive transformation of our food systems,” said Grosso.
Grosso engaged with CIMMYT’s enabling units part of the operations and engagement chapters, which are driving forward the Excellence in Operations strategic pillar. This pillar is a cornerstone in supporting and expanding the organization’s global impact. Grosso also toured CIMMYT’s museum, which showcases over 55 years of the institution’s history and operational distinction.
Laboratory specialists share how CIMMYT distributes improved wheat lines annually to public breeding research programs and educational institutions. (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
The new deputy executive managing director also learned about CIMMYT’s Excellence in Science pillar. He spoke with researchers and Mexican partners who gave him an overview of the center’s research portfolio in genetic innovation and resilient agrifood systems—critical areas which will support CIMMYT’s efforts to contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and CGIAR’s 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy.
Women and the milpa in Chiapas, Mexico. (Illustration: FMG/OpenAI, 2024)
With its transversal focus on gender and social inclusion, CGIAR’s Latin American regional initiative AgriLac Resiliente shows how, through sustainable agriculture, women in the Latin American countryside are a fundamental piece to building resilient and inclusive food systems.
One of the most inspiring examples comes from the Tzotzil women’s group of Tzabaló, in Larráinzar, Chiapas, Mexico. These women have found in the Chiapas Hub a platform that has allowed them to contribute significantly to the development of their households and environments.
“We are a group of women who have worked in pig and chicken farming for some years now. In 2022, we started working with CIMMYT and DAI (Desarrollo Alternativo e Investigación AC). We liked it a lot because we see that they are interested in women. They give us the opportunity to learn which awakens our interest in working in the field because we want to help our husbands, but with knowledge,” they said.
According to their testimonies, the opportunity to train in sustainable agriculture has been transformative. Previously, their participation in agricultural activities was limited. Now, with new knowledge acquired, they are producing healthy and nutritious food.
“If we just stay at home, we don’t do much, but when we go out to the countryside, we feel free, we clear ourselves of so many tasks around the house, and we bring tender beans and fresh vegetables. Now we can produce our food free of toxins and store our maize in airtight containers without chemicals,” they pointed out.
The experience has given them not only autonomy in making decisions about their food but also a sense of freedom and purpose when working in the field where the power of group work has also been a major factor in their success.
“It is always better to work in a group than individually, but it is necessary to find a good manager or leader to guide you and teach you how to work. As a group, we have obtained knowledge that we share among ourselves, we learned to prune fruit trees, we no longer burn stubble to recycle nutrients, there is more production and the product is bigger, and we also expect good fruit production.”
Plot in Chiapas where sustainable practices have been implemented. (Photo: García, Ramírez and Meentzen/CIMMYT)
However, the path has not been without challenges. The community faces a sociopolitical context that makes collaboration between groups difficult, although these women persist and demonstrate with their achievements that female participation in agriculture is fundamental for community development.
“What we do, people see it badly and ask us why we go to the countryside to learn something that is not for us, that we leave because we don’t have chores at home, but we don’t get discouraged. When they see the results of the work, they ask us how we did it, and we tell them what we learned by not staying alone at home, and we invite them to join the group,” they mentioned, emphasizing that if you are in the group, it does not matter what political group you belong to because the only thing that matters is knowledge and the desire to improve oneself.
Their courage and determination have not only transformed their own lives but is also inspiring other women to join and follow this path of empowerment through sustainable agriculture.
These success stories are proof of the positive impact that the inclusion of women in the field can have. Their voice and experience are fundamental to building more resilient and sustainable food systems, where gender equity and the active participation of all actors are pillars for a prosperous future in rural areas of Latin America.
