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Fungal Resistance in Wheat: Biodiversity & Food Security

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT played a key role in advancing research on yellow rust resistance by supporting field trials in Mexico and providing access to its extensive collection of traditional wheat varieties. Through its collaboration with the University of Zurich and Kyoto University, CIMMYT contributed to the identification of novel genetic regions in Asian landraces that offer resistance to the destructive fungus. Its leadership in conserving one of the world’s largest wheat germplasm collections continues to be vital for global efforts to develop disease-resilient wheat and safeguard food security through biodiversity.

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Pairwise Licenses Gene Editing Tools to CIMMYT to Fast-Track Smallholder Farming Systems’ Transformation

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Press releases.

Durham, N.C., and Texcoco, Mexico (June 12, 2025) – Pairwise has entered a landmark licensing agreement with the non-profit, international agricultural research organization CIMMYT to provide access to its Fulcrum™ gene editing platform, including the advanced SHARC™ CRISPR enzyme. This partnership will accelerate the development of improved crop varieties for smallholder farmers across 20 countries where CIMMYT implements integrated research and development initiatives.

CIMMYT, based in Mexico and operating in 88 countries, is a key member of the CGIAR network and a global leader in developing sustainable solutions for food and climate security. Under the license, CIMMYT and its National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) partners will have access to Fulcrum tools in crops including maize, wheat, sorghum, and regionally important staples like pearl millet, finger millet, pigeon pea, and groundnut.

“Advanced breeding techniques replicate what happens in nature in a faster, more focused way. We’re excited to have access to a gene editing technology that allows us to not only develop new traits but also make these traits available to farmers who can benefit from them,” said Sarah Hearne, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at CIMMYT. “CIMMYT is committed to bringing new technologies to smallholder farmers in the Global South, which aims to enhance resilience and nutritional characteristics of crops and help develop livelihoods and communities. Fulcrum will speed up the delivery of the climate resilient varieties that farmers urgently need.”

The Fulcrum™ Platform includes Pairwise-developed gene editing tools for cutting, base editing, and templated editing a toolbox which enables not only turning a characteristic on or off but also tuning it— like a dimmer switch to tailor the trait and deliver the optimum phenotype.

“Our Fulcrum Platform was built to help scientists solve urgent, real-world challenges in agriculture,” said Ian Miller, Chief Operating Officer at Pairwise. “This agreement allows CIMMYT to use our powerful CRISPR tools to deliver real-world improvements for farmers facing food insecurity and climate pressure. We outlicense to organizations like CIMMYT because Pairwise believes this transformative technology should be broadly available to those working to improve agriculture for smallholder farmers.”

Gene editing enables precision improvements in crop yield, resilience, and nutrition that could be achieved through conventional breeding but were impractical due to time and cost restraints.  By making these powerful tools more accessible, this partnership accelerates impactful innovation in regions where food system improvements are most urgently needed. Through CIMMYT’s research network, these tools will be deployed in diverse environments, providing researchers with a flexible alternative for product development and a clear pathway to real-world impact.

About Pairwise
Pairwise is agriculture’s leading gene editing powerhouse, building a healthier world through partnership and plant innovation. Co-founded by the inventors of CRISPR, our Fulcrum™ Platform accelerates the development of climate-resilient, nutritious, and sustainable crops. As trusted partners to global industry leaders and nonprofit institutions, we help breeders move faster while transforming food and agriculture for farmers, consumers, and the planet. Founded in 2017 and based in Durham, NC, Pairwise is committed to delivering innovation that makes food easier to grow — and better to eat. For more information, visit www.pairwise.com.

About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, 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, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
www.cimmyt.org

 

CIMMYT Media Contact: Jelle Boone
Head of Communications, CIMMYT
Email: j.boone@cgiar.org
Mobile: +52 595 124 7241

Pairwise Media Contact:
Email: communications@pairwise.com

Positioning Soil Health on the Agenda: Bridging Science, Policy and Advocacy

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

In the May 2025 webinar co-hosted by CA4SH and the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), CIMMYT played a leading role through its co-leadership of VACS, promoting resilient food systems grounded in healthy soils and climate-adapted crops. Represented by Daniela Vega (CGIAR/CIMMYT), the Center highlighted VACS’ rapid growth and its efforts to bridge science, policy, and practice—supporting integrated soil health solutions, evidence-based decision-making, and advancing global commitments like the Soil Health Resolution.

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Proudly announcing the 2025 Derek Tribe Award recipient – Velu Govindan

Written by mcallejas on . Posted in News.

Dr Velu Govindan from CIMMYT pictured here in action during field days as part of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program activities in Obregón, México. (Photo:CIMMYT Comms / Dinorah Guzmán Espinosa).

We have the great pleasure of announcing the Derek Tribe Award recipient for 2025 is Dr Velu Govindan, the Principal Scientist – Wheat Breeder at The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico.

Dr Govindan received the award in recognition of his work in plant breeding and genetics. His pioneering work on accelerating genetic gains in wheat has led to the release of over two dozen climate-resilient, zinc-enriched wheat varieties, significantly benefiting farmers across South Asia, Africa and Latin America, highlighting his influence on global food security.

The Crawford Fund’s Derek Tribe Award recognises the distinguished contributions of a citizen of a developing country to the application of research in agriculture or natural resource management in a developing country or countries. These people are often unsung heroes in their fields, with long and dedicated service that has incredible impact.

The Award was inaugurated in 2001 to mark the outstanding contributions of Emeritus Professor Derek Tribe AO OBE FTSE, Foundation Director of the Crawford Fund, to the promotion of international agricultural research.

Dr Velu Govindan from CIMMYT, pictured here in wheat trials in India, is the Crawford Fund’s 2025 Derek Tribe Award recipient (Photo: CIMMYT/Velu Govindan).

Velu is in very distinguished company with his Derek Tribe award, with other CIMMYT awardees including Sanjaya Rajaram, who received the inaugural award in 2001 and was also the recipient of the world food prize in 2014, Ram Kanwar Malik (2015) and Ismail Çakmak (2007). Details about previous recipients of the Crawford Fund Derek Tribe Award are available here.

“Velu has an outstanding record of applying cutting-edge research to enhance agricultural productivity and natural resource management in developing countries. Over the past 15 years, his research at CIMMYT, Mexico, has played a pivotal role in breeding high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified wheat varieties, addressing food security and malnutrition challenges across South Asia and Africa,” said Shaun Coffey, Chief Executive Officer, the Crawford Fund.

“Velu’s research has had significant impact, leading to the release of over 25 improved wheat varieties, benefitting millions of smallholder farmers in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Mexico,” he said.

“Dr Govindan has been instrumental in integrating genomic selection, high-throughput phenotyping, and precision breeding techniques to accelerate genetic gains in wheat and zinc mainstreaming efforts at CIMMYT. His collaborations with national agricultural research systems (NARS) in developing countries have strengthened local breeding programs, enabling faster varietal development and dissemination,” said Shaun.

Velu’s work has received significant funding from international agencies such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, and other national and international funding, further demonstrating its global impact.

“Beyond breeding, Dr Govindan has contributed to sustainable agricultural practices by promoting climate-smart wheat varieties that require fewer inputs and are resilient to heat, drought, and resistant to multiple wheat diseases,” he said.

Prior to his role at CIMMYT, Velu was involved in pearl millet biofortification at ICRISAT through the HarvestPlus program, leading to the development of high-iron pearl millet hybrids adopted by smallholder farmers in India.

“He is also an advocate for capacity building, training young scientists and breeders across Asia and Africa; fostering the next generation of agricultural researchers; and actively participating in policy discussions that have influenced large-scale adoption of improved wheat varieties,” said Shaun.

“The Crawford Fund congratulates Dr Govindan on his lasting impact on global food security and natural resource management. We look forward to highlighting his work with the Derek Tribe address, and further raising awareness of the benefits to Australia and developing countries of agricultural research for food and nutrition security,” concluded Shaun.

The Crawford Fund is pleased to partner with the University of Western Sydney and the University of Sydney for Velu’s visit to Australia. Plans are underway for him to be presented with his award and deliver the 2025 Derek Tribe Address in the coming months. Information regarding the 2025 Derek Tribe Address will be shared when Dr Govindan’s trip is finalised.

Originally published on the Crawford Fund website: 2025 Derek Tribe Award – Dr Velu Govindan.

Evangelina Villegas: A Pioneer Woman in Agricultural Science, Inspired by Norman Borlaug

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for leading an agricultural revolution in Mexico, specifically in the Yaqui Valley in Sonora, where he developed high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties that helped save the lives of thousands threatened by hunger.

Evangelina Villegas, together with Dr. Surinder Vasal (left) and Norman Borlaug (second from right), share a moment together. (Photo: CIMMYT)

His legacy, driven by CIMMYT in collaboration with the Government of Mexico, has had a profound and lasting impact on global food security. This legacy has inspired and empowered the role of numerous women in agricultural science, encouraging them to lead innovative and essential research to address global food challenges. 

Among the women who have stood out due to this influence is Evangelina Villegas, a Mexican scientist whose pioneering work in nutritional maize improvement had a global impact. Together with Dr. Surinder Vasal, Villegas developed quality protein maize (QPM), an innovation that significantly reduced malnutrition and improved nutritional quality for millions of people in developing countries. For these contributions, Evangelina Villegas was awarded the World Food Prize in 2000, becoming the first woman to receive this prestigious honor. 

Beyond her scientific achievements, Evangelina Villegas stood out for her commitment to mentoring new generations of researchers, especially women. Her efforts opened doors for more women scientists to participate in high-impact social projects, establishing her as a role model for female leadership in agricultural science. 

Villegas’s career clearly reflects the continuation of the social and scientific commitment initiated by Borlaug. Her example highlights how his legacy has not only positively influenced science but also played a crucial role in advancing gender equity within the agricultural and scientific sectors. 

An award presented to Evangelina Villegas for the 2000 World Food Prize, recognizing her contribution to global food security. (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)

Today, the life and work of Evangelina Villegas continue to inspire young women researchers, demonstrating how fostering female leadership in agriculture is essential for building sustainable, inclusive, and equitable food systems capable of addressing current and future challenges. 

Evangelina Villegas in her laboratory conducting analyses that led to the development of quality protein maize (QPM). (Photo: CIMMYT)

How Crops to End Hunger is transforming CGIAR crop breeding from the ground up

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

When crop breeding succeeds, the impact is dramatic: improved varieties reach farmers, productivity increases, and resilience to climate change and disease improves. But breeding success doesn’t happen by chance. It relies on modern facilities, cutting-edge tools, and the ability to test and select for complex, evolving traits. That’s where Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) comes in. At CGIAR Science Week, the project team and beneficiaries demonstrated how.  

A project designed for exponential impact 

Launched in 2019, CtEH aimed to support the modernization of CGIAR’s crop breeding infrastructure, with support from GIZ, the Gates Foundation, the US government, DFID, and ACIAR. As it nears the end of the most recent two-year GIZ funding cycle, the project has made targeted investments in upgrading breeding station infrastructure, equipping them with advanced tools, building capacity across CGIAR and national breeding teams, and developing the foundational systems needed to accelerate the entire breeding process. 

Supporting CGIAR Centers’ core functions 

At CGIAR Science Week, Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT Director General, explained: “CtEH is crucial for implementing CIMMYT 2030 strategy. Support has increased our breeding capacity for maize, wheat, and newly added dryland crops that complement maize and wheat cropping systems.” 

One example is the Groundnut Biotic Stress Screening Network, established with CtEH support. The network has strengthened the capacity of partners in Uganda and Malawi to screen for groundnut rosette disease; a devastating disease spread by aphids can result in 100% crop loss, with annual losses of over $150 million. The screening network will enable development of resistant varieties. 

In Kenya, a $2.5 million worth infrastructure upgrade at the KALRO–CIMMYT Crop Research Facility in Kiboko, has accelerated breeding cycles. This investment is enabling the development of new varieties tailored to the needs of East African farmers. Drought-tolerant maize varieties developed through work in Kenya and Zimbabwe have expanded dramatically, from just 0.5 million hectares in 2010 to 8.5 million hectares across sub-Saharan Africa today. 

The Kiboko station is also a regional leader in pest and disease resistance. Its advanced screening capabilities for fall armyworm have led to the release of three tolerant maize hybrids, benefiting farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, and Ghana. The development of maize varieties resistant to maize lethal necrosis further demonstrates the station’s critical role in enhancing food security across the region. 

Operational improvements: more than bricks and mortar 

CtEH isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s also about operational transformation which profoundly change the breeding work. For instance, as Gustavo Teixeira explains, “The installation of reliable irrigation systems, one of CtEH’s key priorities, improves breeding efficiency in several ways. It enables off-season trials, allowing breeders to conduct multiple generations per year. It promotes plot control, ensuring uniformity across trial plots and data quality. Finally, it improves the ability to breed for drought tolerance.” 

In Ghana, Maxwell Asante of CSIR-CRI described how CtEH brought crop-neutral upgrades that have encouraged teams to strategically plan and align resources, enabled cost attribution to specific breeding programs, improving accountability, and fostered cross-location collaboration by making centralized services possible.  

These operational improvements are helping CGIAR and national systems move toward truly modern breeding programs that can operate with greater precision, speed, and coordination. 

Building for regional collaboration and innovation 

Bram Govaerts also emphasized that collaboration is central to the future of breeding, and that CtEH is helping to make that possible. 

“Strategic collaborations enhance our impact by leveraging diverse resources and expertise, especially through public-private partnerships that scale research and technology transfer for agricultural transformation.” 

Facilities and systems funded by CtEH are helping CGIAR foster cross-disciplinary innovation and strengthen ties with governments, donors, and technology companies. This makes it easier to bridge the gap between research and real-world application – exactly what’s needed to accelerate impact. 

Empowering women in breeding 

Infrastructure improvements under CtEH have considered inclusivity and gender equity. 

Aparna Das, CIMMYT Technical Lead, explained that modernized stations have been upgraded to better support women in breeding roles – such as providing restrooms and expression rooms in remote research stations, often located far from urban centers, which help attract talent. 

Why does this matter? Women breeders bring valuable perspectives, particularly in identifying gender-relevant traits, like cooking time, seed size, and ease of harvesting. Diverse, balanced breeding teams also tend to be more dynamic and innovative, leading to better science and more relevant products for farmers. 

Targeting the right traits 

Breeding for traits farmers need starts with the ability to test and measure those traits under real-world conditions. This can require specialized equipment. 

Maxwell Asante emphasized that this is where CtEH makes a difference: 

“Testing for traits is fundamental. And now, we’re not just selecting for yield – we’re breeding for disease resistance, climate resilience, cooking quality, and more. The only way to do this efficiently is through modern breeding infrastructure and processes.” 

Modern breeding enables scientists to combine multiple traits in a single variety and identify the best candidates with greater accuracy and confidence. This is made possible through CtEH investments in equipment and data analytics, such as Bioflow, the CtEH-funded breeding analytics pipeline developed for CGIAR and its partners. 

Long-term impact through smart design 

What makes CtEH unique is its sustainability-by-design approach. The project was structured to build long-lasting capacity and to leverage investments from across CGIAR Initiatives, amplifying both the quality of upgrades and their outcomes. 

Whether it’s enabling year-round trials, supporting new partnerships, or empowering a more diverse generation of breeders, CtEH is not just upgrading infrastructure, it’s also reshaping CGIAR and partners’ breeding. 

As CGIAR continues to respond to climate, nutrition, and food security challenges, projects like CtEH are making sure we have the tools, systems, and people in place to breed for tomorrow – starting today. 

To learn more about Crops to End Hunger, check out other stories here.

New Breakthrough in Wheat Blast Resistance: A Novel Non-2NS QTL Identified

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Blogs.

A newly published study has identified a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against wheat blast: a novel quantitative trait locus (QTL), named Qwb.cim-7D, located on the long arm of chromosome 7D and derived from Aegilops tauschii, offers stable and moderate resistance to wheat blast—independently of the widely used 2NS translocation.

Wheat blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT), is a rapidly spreading disease threatening wheat production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. First detected in Brazil in 1985, the disease has since caused devastating yield losses—up to 100% in severe cases. Its transboundary spread, including recent incursions in Bangladesh and Zambia, has intensified international concerns about food security, especially among vulnerable smallholder farming communities. Control through chemical means has proven unreliable, placing even greater emphasis on the development and deployment of resistant wheat cultivars.

Fig. 1 Global incidence of wheat blast with years of its first identification indicated for the affected countries

For years, wheat breeders have relied on a single major source of genetic resistance—the 2NS/2AS translocation from Aegilops ventricosa. While initially effective, recent field observations—particularly in Brazil—suggest that wheat blast pathogens are evolving to overcome this resistance. Despite extensive efforts, previous studies have failed to identify any non-2NS QTLs with both significant and stable effects across environments in field trials.

Fig. 2 Contrasted wheat blast reactions between BWMRI Gom 3 (left, a 2NS carrier) and BARI Gom 26 (right, a non-2NS carrier)

A New Genetic Solution for Blast Resistance

In a recently published study entitled “A novel QTL on chromosome 7D derived from Aegilops tauschii confers moderate field resistance to wheat blast”, CIMMYT’s wheat pathology team and collaborators reported the identification of a novel and consistent QTL—Qwb.cim-7D—which provides significant resistance to wheat blast independent of the 2NS translocation.

The donor bread wheat line, Gladius*2/KU 2097, inherited its resistance from the resistant Ae. tauschii accession ‘KU-2097’. Field experiments were conducted at two Precision Phenotyping Platforms (PPP) in Bolivia (Quirusillas and Okinawa) and one PPP in Bangladesh (Jashore), under artificially inoculated conditions—ensuring a robust evaluation of resistance. The QTL was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 7D, where it explained between 7.7% and 50.6% of the phenotypic variation across different environments. This is a significant finding, as previous studies identified non-2NS resistance loci with typically small effects (less than 10%) and inconsistent performance. In contrast, Qwb.cim-7D is the first moderate-effect QTL to demonstrate stable resistance across multiple field conditions.

To facilitate its adoption in breeding pipelines, researchers successfully converted the flanking DArTseq markers into KASP markers—enabling more efficient marker-assisted selection.

Importantly, Qwb.cim-7D provides approximately half the resistance effect of 2NS, highlighting its value as a complementary resistance factor. When deployed through gene pyramiding strategies alongside 2NS and Rmg8, this new QTL could help breeders develop varieties with stronger and more durable resistance to the evolving wheat blast pathogen.

This breakthrough marks a turning point in global wheat blast resistance breeding. It addresses the urgent need to diversify the genetic basis of resistance and equips breeders with a viable new tool to safeguard wheat yields. As wheat blast continues to threaten food security in key regions, the introgression of Qwb.cim-7D into breeding programs offers a promising path toward enhanced crop resilience and improved farmer protection.

Ethiopia’s Offer to China, Mexico On Agricultural Modernization

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

CIMMYT is a key partner through which Mexico supports Ethiopia’s efforts to modernize its agricultural sector. During a meeting with the Mexican Ambassador to Ethiopia, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Girma Amente reaffirmed the country’s interest in working with Mexico to promote agricultural technologies, enhance the value chain of Bonga Products, and develop areas such as irrigation, durum wheat, soil health, and the Green Legacy initiative. He specifically requested that Mexico continue its support through CIMMYT and encouraged Mexican private investors to engage in processing agricultural products and meeting the growing mechanization needs of Ethiopian farmers.

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Sugar Signalling Breakthrough Could Increase Wheat Yields by Up to 12%

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

Extensive multi-year field trials conducted by CIMMYT in Mexico played a pivotal role in validating the efficacy of the Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) spray treatment, confirming its potential to boost wheat yields by up to 12%. Despite challenges posed by fluctuating rainfall—an increasingly common constraint under climate change—CIMMYT’s trial plots consistently outperformed untreated controls across four consecutive crop cycles. These results underscore CIMMYT’s leadership in translating laboratory innovations into resilient, field-ready solutions that enhance food security while advancing sustainable agrifood systems in diverse agroecological conditions.

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Protected: Flavio Breseghello

Written by dmedina on . Posted in Uncategorized.

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CIMMYT Appoints Flavio Breseghello as Global Wheat Program Director

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

(Photo: CIMMYT)

CIMMYT is pleased to announce the appointment of Flavio Breseghello as the new Director of the Global Wheat Program. A renowned wheat breeder and leader in agricultural research, Breseghello will guide CIMMYT’s flagship wheat initiative at a pivotal moment for global food security. 

“CIMMYT’s wheat program has long been a cornerstone of global food security,” said Breseghello. “I’m honored to contribute to this legacy, while helping shape its future in the face of new challenges.” 

With over two decades of experience advancing wheat research in Brazil and internationally, Breseghello brings scientific expertise and strategic vision to the role. His appointment underscores CIMMYT’s commitment to science-driven innovation that responds to evolving global needs—particularly in low- and middle-income countries where wheat is a staple crop and climate resilience is increasingly urgent. 

“Climate change is reshaping the risks and realities for wheat farmers in low- and middle-income countries,” Breseghello said. “Our challenge—together with our partners—is to stay ahead of these threats with science that is inclusive, adaptive, and driven by the needs of the most vulnerable.” 

CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program is at the forefront of developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant wheat varieties that feed over 2.5 billion people around the world. As director, Breseghello will lead efforts to strengthen international research collaboration, expand capacity building, and ensure the program’s innovations reach those who need them most. 

“Flavio is a globally respected leader whose deep experience and inclusive approach will be a tremendous asset to the program and to the global wheat community,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT. “We are thrilled to welcome him to this vital role.” 

Pest and disease attacks on crops rising due to climate change: Scientist

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

Pest and disease outbreaks in agriculture are increasing at an alarming rate due to the impacts of climate change, with shifting temperatures and erratic weather patterns creating favorable conditions for pests and pathogens to thrive. This growing challenge threatens crop yields and food security across climate-vulnerable regions. Dr. Prasanna Boddupalli, Distinguished Scientist and Regional Director for Asia at CIMMYT, underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient, pest- and disease-resistant crop varieties, alongside robust surveillance systems and strengthened capacity building. Addressing these risks through integrated, science-driven strategies is vital to safeguarding plant health and securing resilient agrifood systems for the future.

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Shaping a CIMMYT maize program to serve at-risk farmers: A tribute to Ernest W. Sprague (1925-2025)

Written by Mike Listman on . Posted in News.

Photo caption: Ernest W. Sprague, director of CIMMYT’s maize program during 1970-1983 (Photo: CIMMYT)

Architect of CIMMYT maize research during the 1970s, Ernest W. Sprague pulled together a coherent global program from diverse regional and country initiatives in Latin America, Asia, and eastern Africa, building partnerships with national maize research programs to serve smallholder farmers.

On 25 February, Ernest W. Sprague, who served as Maize Program Director at CIMMYT from 1970 to 1983, passed away at the age of 100.

Sprague led the development and adoption of systematic approaches for breeding improved maize populations adapted to the tropics and subtropics, including the international testing of varieties and crosses at scale.

After leading the Inter-Asian Corn Program established by the Rockefeller Foundation in Thailand in 1966, Sprague joined CIMMYT, where he vigorously championed the role of open-pollinated maize varieties (OPVs) for smallholder farmers in rain-fed maize cropping areas. These farmers often faced diseases, pests, and drought and lacked access to or could not afford hybrid seed or large quantities of fertilizer.

OPVs generally yield less grain than maize hybrids but are often preferred by smallholders for their suitability in local foods. They can also be grown by saving and sowing seed from previous harvests without sacrificing yield or other qualities—a problem that arises when grain harvested from hybrids is replanted.

In Thailand, Sprague had witnessed a thriving maize sector powered by the widespread adoption of an improved OPV known as “Suwan 1.” Conversely, he believed that hybrid seed systems designed to serve small-scale farmers were lagging in many other countries where CIMMYT worked.

“From the late 1980s, CIMMYT has worked successfully to develop and share hundreds of maize inbred lines—parents for high-yielding hybrids that feature farmer-preferred traits—as well as supporting and partnering with competitive private seed sector companies that truly benefit smallholder maize farmers,” said Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT Director General. “Still, population improvement in the OPV breeding program under Sprague’s leadership clearly contributed to the success of CIMMYT’s hybrid research by increasing the average performance of lines extracted from those populations.”

In addition, much of CIMMYT’s research on hybrid breeding for tropical maize in the 1980s and 1990s was led by Surinder K. Vasal, an Indian maize scientist brought to CIMMYT by Sprague.

Vasal’s pre-biotech research, together with CIMMYT cereal chemist Evangelina Villegas, led to the development of quality protein maize (QPM), whose grain contains enhanced levels of two amino acids essential for human protein synthesis. This groundbreaking work—initiated by Sprague—was recognized with their joint reception of the 2000 World Food Prize.

Building up partners and partnerships

Sprague was a strong proponent of in-service training at CIMMYT headquarters in Mexico for young researchers from partner countries. These courses were formally organized and scaled up in the early 1970s as a major component of CIMMYT’s maize program. Participants worked for several months within the main breeding or production programs, usually in the lowland tropics of Mexico, gaining hands-on skills in the field through activities such as laying out on-farm trials, selecting germplasm, making crosses, and evaluating results. By 1982, the program had graduated 650 maize scientists from 61 countries. Many alumni rose to influential positions in national programs or the private sector, thereby strengthening regional cooperative maize research networks.

“Ernie was my boss when I first arrived as a postdoc to CIMMYT in 1976, and I was always amazed at his commitment to high-quality field work,” said Greg Edmeades, a maize physiologist whose research accomplishments included methods to select for drought tolerance in maize. “I will always remember Ernie as a friend and a great supporter of the task we faced in Ghana, where I worked as a maize agronomist and lived with my family during 1979–84. He thought often of the challenges that we as a family faced with frequent water and power cuts and generously provided support. I was always amazed at his stamina and his capacity to survive and keep fit and well on black coffee alone in the mornings and no major meal until evening.

“Sprague’s contributions to CIMMYT were significant. The setting up of the international testing system was his baby and a masterpiece in getting CIMMYT germplasm out to national programs. He elevated the status of national programs in all sorts of ways, not the least of which was training.”

The CIMMYT global community joins in remembering Ernie Sprague and extends heartfelt condolences to his family.

Strengthening One Health Approach in Agriculture Requires Cross-Sectoral Partnerships, Information

Written by dmedina on . Posted in In the media.

The One Health approach, which connects human, animal, and environmental health, is increasingly shaping agricultural research to address global health and food security challenges. During CGIAR Science Week, experts highlighted the need for cross sector collaboration and evidence based policy. CIMMYT’s Dr. Jordon Chamberlin shared how research on livestock health and sustainable farming aligns with this approach, supporting integrated solutions for resilient agrifood systems.

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Munich Statement on Agriculture, Biodiversity and Security: there is no security without food security

Written by dmedina on . Posted in News.

In February 2025, leading voices in the global food and agricultural system came together on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference to discuss how to achieve food security in an increasingly insecure world.

Biological diversity is key to food and nutritional security, but all too often neglected. The loss of agricultural biodiversity (which includes crop diversity) threatens not just the resilience of global food systems but also their productivity. This in turn undermines rural livelihoods and economic activity, increasing the likelihood of migration. It also heightens the risk of price spikes and restricts the availability of staple food products, which may hamper trade in important commodities as governments seek to shore up sufficient stockpiles for domestic markets.

Compromised food systems and agricultural biodiversity loss destabilize and damage communities, potentially to an existential level, while preserving agricultural biodiversity and investing in resilient farms are the foundations for peace and prosperity.  Stakeholders across the international community, including the security community, civilian agencies, civil society and businesses, should act to preserve and use agricultural biodiversity and promote sustainable agriculture by putting farmers first.

As the ultimate providers of life-sustaining nutrition, farmers are indispensable global security partners. Farmers provide a steadying economic force, but only if they have adequate safety, and access to land, investment, innovation, and functioning markets. It is imperative to provide farmers with the support, investment, and opportunities for innovation to adapt to changing global environmental conditions and persevere through social unrest and conflict. Farmers must be able to employ agricultural practices that concurrently promote nutrition, water security, human health, and biodiversity preservation. Prioritizing the delivery of nutrient-rich foods and bio-based products in ways that respond to water and weather stress is essential.

Crucially, for farmers to be successful, they need continued access to agricultural biodiversity. To ensure that, genebanks must be seen as a shared strategic strength.

Reliable, sufficient, and nutritious food for the current and future population depends on the crop diversity that underpins critical research and breeding efforts. Despite its increasing importance in light of a changing climate, the conservation and availability of crop diversity is increasingly at risk: it is declining in farmers’ fields and in the wild, and genebanks are chronically underfunded. Growing food demands, land degradation, and geopolitical tensions threaten crop diversity, and more generally agricultural economies.

Given their essential role in food security, genebanks should be strategically protected and funded. Sufficient attention and resources should be available to ensure an effective and efficient global system of genebanks under the policy umbrella of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. In addition, the security community should incorporate food security and agricultural biodiversity into national and international security risk assessments and strategies.


Call to Action

It is our duty to alert the world to the threats to security and state stability posed by compromised food production systems and the loss of agricultural biodiversity. We wish to highlight the need for greater attention and investment from all stakeholders across governance, including the security sector, as well as civil society and the private sector.

Leading international organizations in agricultural biodiversity conservation and agricultural research, philanthropies, multinational corporations, and representatives from governments share this concern and endorse this statement arising from discussions at the 2025 Munich Security Conference.

Munich Statement on Agriculture, Biodiversity and Security: there is no security without food security