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.
Over 80% of the world’s 570 million farms are smallholder farms under 2 hectares, supporting rural livelihoods in impoverished regions. Smallholder farmers, who form a significant portion of the 690 million people experiencing hunger, need improved crop varieties to thrive under challenging conditions like low inputs, climate change stresses, and pests.
Challenges of breeding for smallholder farmers
Particularly at early stages, breeding programs face difficulties replicating the diverse and resource-constrained environments of smallholder farms, referred to as the Target Population of Environments (TPE). The TPE encompasses all locations where new crop varieties will be grown, characterized by varied biophysical conditions, environmental stresses, and farming practices.
Conventional research stations, where new selection candidates are tested, don’t fully replicate smallholder conditions. Practices like manual labor for weed management or intercropping are common among smallholders but rarely modeled on research stations. This mismatch can lead to inaccurate predictions of crop performance on farms and discarding potentially successful candidate varieties.
Early-Stage On-Farm Sparse Testing (OFST)
Early-stage OFST shifts testing to hundreds of smallholder farms at early stages, addressing two major issues. First, it evaluates crops under real-world, farmer-managed conditions. Second, it captures the diversity within the TPE by conducting trials on numerous farms.
Using farm-as-incomplete-block (FAIB) designs, small farms test 3–5 candidate varieties, aligning with their plot size and resource constraints. A genomic relationship matrix connects trials across farms, ensuring comparability between farms and enhancing selection accuracy through the sharing of information. This approach reduce replication and enable testing more candidates, thereby improving breeding efficiency and providing a basis for accelerated parent recycling. Smallholder farmers are highly diverse, and careful sampling ensures a wide range of farmers can participate. The small land requirements of this approach allow small, poor and/or women farmers to equally participate.
(Photo: CIMMYT)
On-Farm Testing and on-station testing: complementary yet demanding approaches
Early-stage on-farm testing complements, rather than replaces, on-station trials. Controlled assessments for traits like disease resistance and managed abiotic stresses remain essential at research stations. Conversely, insights from early-stage OFST can help refine on-station testing to better represent farming realities.
Scaling early-stage OFST demands strong partnerships between CGIAR, NARES, and farmers for decentralized trial management. Farmers must consent to participate and be compensated for risks. Additionally, significant resources and coordination are required to ensure trials are representative and reliable.
Despite these challenges, early-stage OFST holds transformative potential. By aligning breeding programs with smallholder realities, it can deliver improved crop varieties faster and more effectively, enhancing food security for those who need it most.
For more information, see the article: Accelerating Genetic Gain through Early-Stage On-Farm Sparse Testing by Werner et al., Trends in Plant Science.
Senior representatives from CIMMYT visited the John Innes Centre to strengthen their strategic partnership focused on advancing global wheat research. Key collaborative efforts include the Wheat Disease Early Warning Advisory System (DEWAS) and research on genetic resistance to wheat blast. CIMMYT’s Director General, Dr. Bram Govaerts, emphasized the long-standing partnership’s global impact, noting that around 70% of the world’s wheat is linked to CIMMYT’s network. Dr. Sarah Hearne, Chief Science and Innovation Officer, highlighted the shared commitment to providing sustainable solutions that enhance farmers’ resilience and productivity worldwide.
From 11 -22 November 2024, global leaders convened in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29. Dubbed the finance COP, critical intersections of climate change, food systems, and sustainable development took center stage. This year’s conference reflected both the progress and the persistent challenges in addressing the climate crisis, marking a critical moment in the climate negotiations.
Food Systems at the Forefront
COP29 highlighted the undeniable importance of transforming global food systems as a cornerstone of effective climate action. Initiatives like the Harmoniya platform and the Declaration on Methane from Organic Waste shows the global community’s recognition of agriculture as both a contributor to and a solution for greenhouse gas emissions. However, the broader discussions were a reminder of the gap between ambition and implementation, with financial commitments and concrete action plans often falling short.
While food systems gained visibility, the debates often revealed tensions, particularly on issues like global stocktake outcomes, financing, and the integration of mitigation and adaptation strategies. Despite these challenges, the coordination and cohesion within the food systems community were commendable, reflecting a collective resolve to carry the momentum forward.
COP 29 – Baku, Azerbaijan
Key Outcomes and Agreements
Climate Finance and the NCQG
A central focus of COP29 was the New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance (NCQG). While the actual need for climate finance is estimated at $1.3 trillion annually, the outcomes of COP29 fell short, with only $300 billion explicitly committed to developing countries. The inclusion of voluntary contributions from non-traditional donors like China and the UAE added nuance but failed to resolve the broader financial gaps.
Mitigation Work Programme
Discussions on the Mitigation Work Programme highlighted fundamental disagreements over whether the program should prioritize specific actions linked to the global stocktake. While some nations sought prescriptive approaches, others emphasized the voluntary nature of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). These debates highlight the complexities of aligning global and national climate priorities.
Adaptation and Resilience
The global goal on adaptation progressed with the launch of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap, though challenges remain in refining and agreeing upon adaptation-related indicators. Meanwhile, the Sharm El Sheikh Joint Work on Agriculture and Food Security moved forward with plans for an online portal to share best practices and tools for climate action.
Collaborative Frameworks
The conference saw advancements in collaborative mechanisms such as the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism under Article 6, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in carbon markets. Platforms like Harmoniya and the Global Nitrous Oxide Hub were also launched to streamline efforts in addressing specific climate challenges.
CIMMYT at COP29
Amid these broader discussions, CIMMYT came out to strongly champion for the alignment of scientific innovation with the practical challenges of transforming food systems. Sieglinde Snapp and Tek Sapkota represented CIMMYT at high-level side events, highlighting the critical need to leverage research to tackle climate challenges. Their contributions focused on developing actionable pathways to bridge the persistent gap between ambitious goals and effective implementation.
Participation in high-level panel discussions
Date:November 12, 2024 Event:High-Level Panel on Sustainable Agriculture
Tek Sapkota shared CIMMYT’s efforts in advancing food systems, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability, aligning with the UAE COP28 Declaration on sustainable agriculture. The event featured remarks from distinguished leaders, including H.E. President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia, H.E. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, and H.E. Amna Al Dahak of the United Arab Emirates among other world leaders.
Date: November 18, 2024
Event: Making Agriculture Smart by Going Wild
Sieglinde Snapp was part of panel discussions chaired by the United Kingdom Nature minister to discuss leveraging wild crop relatives and underutilized species to enhance agricultural resilience against climate risks. She highlighted CIMMYT’s efforts towards biodiversity in achieving food security.
(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)(Photo: Maria Monayo/CIMMYT)
Other events include:
Scaling Innovations for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Date: November 12, 2024 Presented CIMMYT’s research on precision agriculture, showcasing strategies for leveraging site-specific nutrient management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing food production and supporting food security. (Link recording)
Pre-COP30 Discussions on Fertilizer Innovations Date: November 14, 2024 Highlighted innovative technologies in fertilizer production and management as part of technological breakthrough to reduce GHG emissions from agricultural sectors. (Link recording)
Partnerships for Soil Health and Agricultural Resilience Date: November 15, 2024 Explored the role of public-private partnerships in advancing soil health and resilience. The discussion highlighted innovative soil management technologies that conserve nitrogen, preserve soil organic carbon, and promote climate-smart agriculture.
Enhancing Soil Health for Climate Action Date: November 16, 2024 Addressed practical strategies for improving soil health to mitigate climate change and enhance agricultural sustainability. (Link recording)
CGIAR Panel Discussion on Innovation in Soil Fertility Management Date: November 18, 2024 Shared insights on advancing soil fertility management through cutting-edge innovations that balance productivity and sustainability. (Link recording)
Global Nitrous Oxide Hub Launch Date: November 19, 2024 Discussed the importance of reducing nitrous oxide emissions in agriculture, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
VACS Networking Events Date: November 19, 2024 Discussions highlighting public-private-civil society partnerships for sustaining agricultural resilience and advancing the VACS agenda.
Launch of the 2024 Breakthrough Agenda Report Date: November 20, 2024 (Link recording)
Non-Negotiated Outcomes
Beyond formal agreements, COP29 featured significant declarations and initiatives that highlight emerging priorities:
Human Development for Climate Resilience:The Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment, and Trade (BICFIT) Dialogue, launched at COP29, integrates climate finance, investment, and trade to drive sustainable development and support vulnerable populations. It fosters global collaboration and aligns climate action with economic resilience.
The Road Ahead: From Baku to Belém
As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the outcomes of COP29 provide both lessons and opportunities. CIMMYT, aligned with the CGIAR 2030 Research and Innovation Strategy, is uniquely positioned to drive transformative action in food systems.
Key priorities for COP 30 include:
Strengthening Finance Mechanisms: Addressing the financial gaps in adaptation and mitigation efforts, particularly for low-income nations.
Scaling Collaborative Initiatives: Building on platforms like Harmoniya to foster cross-sectoral and international collaboration.
Embedding Food Systems in Climate Policy: Ensuring that agriculture and food systems are integral to NDCs and national adaptation plans.
Advancing Science for Action: Driving actionable research to close gaps in implementation, particularly in nutrient management and biodiversity conservation.
CIMMYT is happy to announce four new, improved tropical and subtropical maize hybrids that are now available for uptake by public and private sector partners, especially those interested in marketing or disseminating hybrid maize seed across Latin America and similar agro-ecologies in other regions. NARES and seed companies are hereby invited to apply for licenses to pursue national release, scale-up seed production, and deliver these maize hybrids to farming communities.
The deadline to submit applications to be considered during the first round of allocations is January 31st, 2025. Applications received after that deadline will be considered during subsequent rounds of product allocations.
The newly available CIMMYT maize hybrids were identified through rigorous, years-long trialing and a stage-gate advancement process which culminated in the LT23-STG5-THW, LT23-STG5-THY, and 01-23MASTCHSTW Stage 5 Trials. The products were found to meet the stringent performance and farmer acceptance criteria for CIMMYT’s breeding pipelines that are designed to generate products tailored in particular for smallholder farmers in stress-prone agroecologies of Latin America.
CIMMYT is happy to announce five new, improved tropical maize hybrids that are now available for uptake by public and private sector partners, especially those interested in marketing or disseminating hybrid maize seed across Southern Africa and similar agro-ecologies in other regions. NARES and seed companies are hereby invited to apply for licenses to pursue national release, scale-up seed production, and deliver these maize hybrids to farming communities.
The deadline for submitting applications to be considered during the first round of allocations is 10 January 2025. Applications received after that deadline will be considered during subsequent rounds of product allocations.
The newly available CIMMYT maize hybrids were identified through rigorous, years-long trialing and a stage-gate advancement process which culminated in the 2023/24 Southern Africa Regional On-Farm Trials. The products were found to meet the stringent performance and farmer acceptance criteria for CIMMYT’s breeding pipelines that are designed to generate products tailored especially for smallholder farmers in stress-prone agroecologies of Southern Africa.
CIMMYT is at the forefront of addressing climate change challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) by introducing drought-tolerant wheat varieties and hybrid seeds for vegetables, tailored to withstand water scarcity, heat stress, and erratic rainfall. Through collaborations with local research institutions, CIMMYT equips farmers with innovative solutions to sustain crop productivity in the face of extreme weather. These efforts directly support smallholder farmers in building resilience and securing their livelihoods amidst the growing threats posed by climate change.
The foundation for a Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (VACS) is capacity building: to boost adoption of opportunity crops, for nutritional security, diverse and climate-resilient cropping systems, to build healthy soils, a cohort of researchers and professionals is being supported to improve opportunity crops in Africa. Launched in October 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, the VACS Capacity Project aims to train scholars and professionals in the latest plant breeding technologies. Professor Julia Sibiya, VACS Capacity Project Lead at CIMMYT, elaborates on how the project aims to contribute to the promotion, development and delivery of improved “crops that nourish” people, and the planet.
As part of the VACS Capacity Project, 30 Master and PhD students will be mentored by prominent experts in plant breeding. What support will they receive?
The students will be exposed to the latest technologies in plant breeding but will also learn from their mentors to deliver the VACS vision on opportunity crops and healthy soils.
The project also includes training of 40 mid-careers professionals. We want them to master the latest technologies and be able to apply them to develop improved opportunity crop varieties that will be used by farmers.
For maximum and long-term impact, the CIMMYT Academy, with the support of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems program, is developing gender-aware mentoring and curriculum on a wide range of topics, to directly address priorities of the 70 scholars and professionals. Expertise is being sourced at institutions such as Iowa State University, CIMMYT and African universities for robust e-learning modules on the entire plant breeding pipeline and seed systems, with materials updated and designed for the African continent.
What gaps does the VACS Capacity Project aim to address?
Today, in Africa, very few plant breeders and scientists working on plant improvement are focusing on the opportunity crops identified by VACS, such as finger millet, bambara groundnut, and amaranth. Most breeders focus on the main staples. This is why we want to build a critical mass of scientists who work on opportunity crops that are vital for food security and nutrition under climate change.
Besides increasing the critical mass of researchers working on the opportunity crops, we also want to bring up-to-date the skills of professionals in the breeding sector, which is a sector where technologies are evolving very quickly. Most of the approaches to crop improvement used today differ greatly from approaches used ten years ago, hence the request by many professionals to upgrade their skills.
In addition to the long-term training fellowships for Master and PhD students, we will provide targeted skills training to professionals, with short-term placements between one and six months in institutions where they can learn cutting-edge techniques that they will apply to opportunity crops.
The project is also designed to build networks and communities of practice around these crops, so people can collaborate in breeding and scaling efforts that are requested by farmers and consider market intelligence for impact pathways. This is in addition to exchanging knowledge and germplasm.
How does this project differ from other plant breeding capacity building projects?
The difference is that we will place professionals into institutions where they will be provided with hands-on training. We will work with universities, international research institutes, and the private sector, including seed companies. This is like offering internships to mid-career professionals who want to upgrade their skills or learn new ones.
Our approach also includes mentorships for both scholars and professionals. Mentors will be recruited from all over the world to assist the fellows in various aspects of their research journey. Last but not least, we hope to see researchers working with farmers so they can learn from each other.
What are the expected outcomes of reaching a “critical mass of plant breeders”?
The objective is to have sufficient breeders to implement crop breeding programs designed for opportunity crops. We also want to encourage them to apply modern techniques to improve opportunity crops and, this way, to contribute to the development of more nutritious plants that are grown in healthy soils. As I mentioned earlier, besides empowering scientists themselves, we also aim to create the conditions for effective collaboration and partnerships for the successful delivery of improved opportunity crop varieties, and this delivery will be accelerated by reducing the breeding cycle. Overall, it will allow us to scale up efforts towards opportunity crops worldwide.
From left to right: Bram Govaerts, Diego Montenegro, and Pedro Díaz. (Photo: Jenifer Morales / CIMMYT)
Texcoco, State of Mexico, November 6-7, 2024 – Reducing carbon (CO₂) emissions has become a global priority, as the severe consequences of global warming directly affect everyone. CO₂ is the most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG), accounting for 82% of global emissions. Carbon sinks are natural systems that can remove part of atmospheric CO₂ through capture or recarbonization. Healthy soils are the second most important carbon sink after oceans, and implementing progressive regenerative practices to restore soil health is essential in agriculture to contribute significantly to soil recarbonization.
Efforts to recarbonize agricultural soils in primary production must be complemented by a vigorous process to decarbonize agri-food systems. By reducing GHG emissions across their value chains, these systems can ensure a long-term solution to the current climate emergency.
In alignment with this approach, CIMMYT, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Trust Funds for Agriculture (FIRA) have joined forces in a strategic alliance to transform agri-food systems. Their focus is on recarbonizing soils and decarbonizing agri-food systems and value chains, convinced that, beyond being part of the climate change problem, agriculture is a crucial part of the solution.
At the first forum, “Recabonization of Agricultural Soils and Decarbonization of Agri-food Systems,” experts from public and private institutions shared experiences and explored how integrating science and the ancestral knowledge of rural communities can regenerate soils, reduce emissions, and build low-emission, highly adaptable production systems in response to climate impacts across Mexico and Latin America’s diverse agro-ecological regions.
Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT, stated: “Mitigating climate change requires both soil recarbonization and decarbonization. Here, carbon is our metric, but we also consider nitrogen fertilizer emissions, which, when released into the air, have a larger footprint than carbon itself. Beyond this, we need to shift from a purely productive focus, which was perhaps the goal 50-60 years ago, to a resilience-centered approach. This means evolving from efficient production to effective and resilient practices. Resilience is essential for the agri-food sector to adapt to phenomena like El Niño or changing rainfall patterns, such as in 2004, when rain arrived late but intensely for a short period.”
Jelle Van Loon, Associate Director of the Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program at CIMMYT, emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation to address the challenges posed by climate change in agriculture. “Regenerative agriculture is not just a concept; it is an imperative for food security and the planet’s sustainability,” he stated. Van Loon highlighted research findings and long-term trials showing the benefits of regenerative practices, such as cover cropping and organic fertilization, in improving soil health and reducing CO₂ emissions.
Jesús Alan Elizondo Flores, General Director of FIRA, detailed FIRA’s sustainability strategy, driven by a network of 88 local offices across Mexico. His approach includes ecological finance, biofertilizer use, agroforestry, and farmer-to-farmer extension models, all aimed at transitioning small-scale producers to the carbon credit market, thus strengthening soil recarbonization efforts.
Diego Montenegro, IICA’s representative in Mexico, emphasized the strategic alliances among actors in the agri-food system as essential for technical cooperation, with producers as central figures. He stated, “This forum should guide us toward a new paradigm, a new way of doing agriculture in Mexico and globally. This collective work will bring about the sustainable agricultural practices we need to expand.”
At the second keynote address, Rattan Lal, 2020 World Food Prize Laureate and Goodwill Ambassador for IICA, stressed the importance of understanding soil carbon’s environmental impact and called for the restoration of degraded soils as part of the climate solution, advocating for “soil rights” to protect and responsibly manage soils worldwide.
In a panel discussion, Elisa Muñoz Rodríguez, a chemical engineer and producer from Guanajuato, and María Eugenia Rico González, a conservation farmer from the Valley of Santiago, shared their experiences in implementing sustainable practices, underlining both benefits and challenges in convincing others to adopt these methods.
In final reflections, José Luis Ayala, IICA Mexico’s Technical Coordinator, noted that collective action with producers is key to achieving a resilient and efficient agricultural model. “Together, we can progress in food security, reduce poverty, and collectively build a better future,” he concluded.
The forum featured participants from international organizations like FAO, private sector actors like ILBI, Canopia, and Nestlé, public sector entities like the government of Chile, and academic institutions like UNAM and Oxford University, promoting a systemic approach to recarbonization and decarbonization for impactful climate action.
About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is an international public organization dedicated to improving agricultural systems in the Global South through applied science, innovation, and collaboration.
About IICA
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is committed to agricultural development and rural well-being across the Americas, promoting policies, technical cooperation, and capacity building to ensure sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience.
About FIRA
The Trust Funds for Agriculture (FIRA) support Mexico’s agricultural development through finance, technical assistance, and capacity building, assisting farmers in transitioning to sustainable, low-emission, and climate-resilient production systems.
The World Food Prize honored Cary Fowler and Geoffrey Hawtin for their lifelong dedication to preserving genetic resources critical to global food security. They have led efforts to protect seeds from over 6,000 crops by establishing germplasm banks worldwide, including the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, to safeguard biodiversity against climate threats. With partners like INIFAP, CIMMYT has played a key role in conserving the genetic diversity of staple crops, ensuring these resources are available for future agricultural resilience.
Each year, the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa, becomes a dynamic platform where global leaders in agriculture, policy, research, and youth come together to address the critical issues surrounding global food security. The event is marked by the World Food Prize ceremony, which celebrates groundbreaking achievements that improve the accessibility, quality, and availability of food around the world. This year, CIMMYT’s role was significant, reflecting its unwavering commitment to reimagine the future of food and agriculture. CIMMYT’s presence was impactful and deeply resonant, representing its dedication to sustainable agricultural solutions for vulnerable communities. The following highlights capture these pivotal moments and showcase our role in promoting science and innovation for a food- and nutrition-secure world.
DialogueNEXT Mexico: Fostering Global Collaboration and Resilience
This year’s DialogueNEXT Mexico, themed “Nurturing Farmer Resilience,” celebrated the power of uniting leaders from across continents to address the urgent need for sustainable, resilient food systems. The event focused on innovative strategies to empower farmers and ensure food security in the face of climate challenges and resource constraints. Key initiatives presented included CIMMYT’s Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), which provides farmers with improved crop varieties and conservation techniques. Expanded to Africa through the Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I), these programs exemplify CIMMYT’s commitment to building resilience and reducing poverty through sustainable agriculture.
DialogueNext Mexico Session at Borlaug Dialogue (Photo: WFPF/Scott Morgan 2024
CIMMYT Experts Honored on the 2024 TAP List
A standout moment came with the recognition of Sylvanus Odjo and Marianne Banziger among the 2024 Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP), honoring their invaluable contributions to sustainable agriculture. Their work embodies CIMMYT’s mission to empower communities and advance resilient food systems. This honor celebrates their contributions to building resilient, equitable food systems worldwide.
TAP List (Photo: WFPF/Scott Morgan 2024
Empowering Future Innovators and Expanding Global Alliances
CIMMYT showcased its commitment to sustainable agriculture through key initiatives and partnerships. The Global Maize Program Director, B.M. Prasanna, led an engaging session on the CIMMYT Academy’s role in shaping the next generation of plant breeders by equipping young scientists to tackle food security challenges with innovation, ensuring that CIMMYT’s mission will continue to advance with adaptability. Prasanna’s session underscored the vital role of mentorship and capacity-building in securing food systems for future generations.
One of the Dialogue’s highlights was the “Realizing Borlaug 2.0” event, where CIMMYT, USAID, and USDA launched the Feed the Future Global Wheat Health Alliance. This initiative aims to protect wheat from climate-related threats such as fusarium, wheat blast, and rust. Announced with a call for additional partners, this foundational investment marks a global commitment to protect wheat and strengthen food security. By linking research and breeding programs, the Alliance will accelerate the discovery and deployment of disease-resistant wheat varieties, ensuring a resilient future for one of the world’s staple crops.
In the footsteps of Dr. Borlaug Session (Photo:WFPF/Scott Morgan 2024)
Strengthening Global Alliances for Climate-Smart Agriculture
At the Borlaug Dialogue 2024, CIMMYT highlighted its commitment to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience through several impactful partnerships and collaborations. In a key session with the VACS partnership, CIMMYT addressed the urgent need for adaptable crops and resilient soils in the face of climate change, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation to secure food systems against environmental stresses. CIMMYT furthered its mission by establishing a groundbreaking partnership with the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) of Honduras to strengthen food security and promote sustainable agricultural growth in Latin America.
Strategic discussions with FAO and the African Development Bank Group reinforced CIMMYT’s commitment to scaling climate-smart initiatives across regions, creating a powerful network of allies in building resilient food systems. The Dialogue also honored award winners Cary Fowler and Geoffrey Hawtin, whose work on crop biodiversity aligns with CIMMYT’s core mission of conserving agricultural diversity and improving food security worldwide.
Geoffrey Hawtin and Cary Fowler (Photo: WFPF/Scott Morgan 2024)
Through its contributions to the Dialogue, CIMMYT underscored its role as a global leader in transforming agri-food systems. Guided by a vision of a food-secure future, CIMMYT continues to empower farmers and build resilient communities around the world.
The World Food Prize this year celebrates the essential role of genebanks in global food security—a mission at the heart of CIMMYT’s work. Through its maize and wheat collections, CIMMYT’s genebank preserves crop diversity that is critical for developing resilient, climate-adapted varieties. Highlighted by former CIMMYT maize curator Denise Costich, this recognition underscores the value of conserving genetic resources, which allow CIMMYT and its partners to create solutions for a rapidly changing agricultural landscape. As a vital part of the global genebank network, CIMMYT’s efforts ensure that biodiversity remains a foundation for food security and resilience worldwide.
Huazhong agricultural university (Photo: Wallhere)
Prof. Jianbing Yan, a former maize scientist at CIMMYT, has been appointed as the President of Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) in Wuhan, China on 20th August 2024. Jianbing was part of the CIMMYT family working on maize genetics and molecular breeding from 2006 to 2011. He worked as a Joint Post-Doctoral Associate between CIMMYT and Cornell University from October 2006 to September 2008, as an Associate Scientist from October 2008 to August 2009, and as a Scientist from September 2009 to March 2011. Due to his excellent work on Provitamin A biofortification in maize grain, Jianbing received the Japan International Award for Yong Agricultural Researchers in 2010, and the DuPont Young Professor Award in 2011. He also received the Outstanding CIMMYT Alumnus Award in 2014.
Jianbing joined HZAU as a full professor in April 2011. He served as the Vice Dean of the College of Life Science and Technology of HZAU from 2013 to 2017, as the Dean of the College of Plant Science and Technology of HZAU from 2017 to 2020, and as the Vice President of HZAU from 2019 to 2024.
Prof. Jianbing Yan
Jianbing is renowned in the research areas of maize genetics, genomics, and big data-driven breeding. He was the winner of the 2022 L. Stadler Mid-Career Award from the Maize Genetics Cooperation; the award is given to an outstanding maize scientist who has been in a permanent position for between nine and 20 years and has an outstanding track record of discovery research in maize genetics. Jianbing also received multiple national awards, including the National Natural Science Foundation for Excellent Youth in 2012, the National Youth Top-notch Talent Support Program in 2013, the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and the Chair Professor of Cheung Kong Scholars Programme in 2015, etc.
Huazhong Agricultural University is recognized as a first-class agricultural university worldwide. It has a total of 14 disciplines listed as the Top 1% of ESI (Essential Science Indicators), including Plant & Animal Science, and Agricultural Sciences. HZAU and CIMMYT jointly hosted a webinar on Intelligent Agriculture in 2020. CIMMYT is one of the four funder institutes for the Global Food Security Association for Young Scientists hosted by HZAU, which was officially launched in December 2022 to connect young scientists around the world, working in the fields of food security. The 1st and 2nd Global Food Security Forums for Young Scientists were co-organized by HZAU and CIMMYT in Wuhan in 2022 and 2023, respectively, to inspire future generations of scientists to communicate and exchange ideas on cutting-edge agricultural research. Dr B.M. Prasanna, Director of CIMMYT Global Maize Program, CIMMYT, has been serving as the member of the International Advisory Committee of HZAU since 2022.
CIMMYT looks forward to building strong partnerships with HZAU in strategic and applied research of crop improvement, sustainable agrifood systems, and capacity building of next-generation agricultural researchers.
Matthew Reynolds, Distinguished Scientist and Head of Wheat Physiology at CIMMYT, is the recipient of the 2024 China Friendship Award. This recognition highlights his cutting-edge research to enhance the climate resilience and yield of wheat cropping systems, as well as his dedication to fostering collaboration between CIMMYT and China.
Researcher, Innovator, Collaborator, Mentor
During his 35-year tenure at CIMMYT, Reynolds has played a pivotal role in developing a new generation of advanced wheat lines based on physiological breeding approaches. This work has led to the creation of more resilient wheat varieties from diverse gene pools, significantly boosting yield potential.
Reynolds is the eighth CIMMYT scientist to receive the China Friendship Award. His numerous accolades include being an elected member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences and earning fellowships with the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), the latter representing the society’s highest individual honor. He has also been honored with the prestigious 2024 International Crop Science Award by CSSA.
A prolific author in crop physiology and genomics, Reynolds actively promotes international collaboration among wheat scientists, tapping expertise and emerging technologies that enhance plant science. He provides young scientists with mentorship and opportunities to engage in agricultural research. He also leads key initiatives, such as the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP) and the Heat and Drought Wheat Improvement Consortium (HEDWIC), which leverage collective expertise and innovations to improve yields and climate resilience.
About the China Friendship Award
The China Friendship Award is the highest honor given by the Chinese government to foreign experts who have made outstanding contributions to China’s economic and social progress. It was established in 1991 by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs under the authorization of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. As of September 2024, a total of 1,998 experts from over 80 countries and regions have received this award.
CIMMYT contributed over 5,400 maize and wheat samples to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault’s recent historic deposit, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding crop diversity essential for global food security. These deposits protect genetic resources vital for adapting to climate change and improving resilience, especially in vulnerable regions. This backup effort ensures CIMMYT’s research on these staple crops remains available to support sustainable food systems and address crises worldwide.
