research: Maize

GMP director visits Agua Fría and Tlaltizapán

Written by on April 15, 2010. Posted in News.

On 22 March 2010, Boddupalli M. Prasanna, the new director of CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program (GMP), spent a fruitful day familiarizing himself with the Agua Fría station, its staff, and the work being done there. The day included meetings with staff assistants to discuss ways to strengthen station research activities and ways to improve work and staff conditions, especially in terms of occupational health and safety issues.

“For us, it is a very important opportunity to interact and to meet our new GMP director,” said Jesús Gónzalez, principal field assistant and lowland tropics program worker representative. “He is very enthusiastic and willing to listen to our concerns. We will continue to put in our best efforts to contribute to CIMMYT’s mission.”

Prasanna toured fields and facilities, meeting with staff from several different programs and was accompanied by Félix San Vicente, maize breeder, George Mahuku, senior maize scientist/pathologist, José Crossa, biometrician and distinguished scientist, and Reymunda Labuguen, GMP administrator. Leocadio Martínez, research assistant B, showed Prasanna the work being done on double haploids (DH) and explained the challenges of implementing DH technology. Also highlighted was the work CIMMYT is doing to develop tropically adapted haploid inducer lines, and the search for new phenotypic markers to increase efficiency.

The group also met with the lowland tropical breeding program, where a wide variety of elite inbred lines are in the final testing and characterization stage before they are released by CIMMYT. Discussion with the pathology team included details of the disease nurseries and efforts to identify suitable sources of resistance to different maize diseases.

“I am very impressed with the level of commitment and professionalism shown by the different groups working at Agua Fría and how the trials were being managed,” Prasanna told Agua Fría staff.

“I will do all I can to help you do your work in an efficient manner.”

Prasanna also visited the Tlaltizapán research station on 29 March, accompanied by Labuguen and Jill Cairns, maize physiologist. He visited the various program fields and attended a small ceremony for the planting of an Auracaria tree in honor of Hugo Córdova.

CIMMYT begins 2010 with Science Week

Written by on January 11, 2010. Posted in News.

CIMMYT scientists are set to meet on January 20-26 2010 for Science Week. The event is meant to bring IRS and selected national staff from Mexico and the regional offices together so that they can (1) share successes and critically review activities of CIMMYT’s research programs and units; (2) define concrete action steps to improve the quality of our work; (3) learn about changing processes and practices at CIMMYT; (4) discuss program-specific issues and 2010 work plans; and (5) discuss inter-program work and perspectives for 2010 and beyond.

The week promises to be an exciting one, with a change from the traditional presentation-style program to a variety of formats that will enable participants to discuss issues more freely. The program will start with a critical review of CIMMYT research, starting with overview presentations and then seeking answers to critical questions about CIMMYT’s four Programs and GRU/CRIL. This will be followed by small group discussions on science and publications, germplasm and platforms, partnerships activities, and fundraising and human resources, all with the aim of identifying ways to improve the quality of CIMMYT’s core business. Topics that are programmatic, inter-program, institutional, and CGIAR-wide in scope will be covered during the week. In consultation with scientists, a Task Force made up of Matthew Reynolds (GWP), Iván Ortiz-Monasterio (CAP), Cosmos Magorokosho (GMP and regional), Jon Hellin (SEP), Susanne Dreisigacker (GWP and biotech), José Crossa (GRU and CRIL), Petr Kosina (Co-coordinator) and Luz George (Coordinator) assisted DDG-RP Marianne Banziger in developing the program.

Scientists are requested to bring posters that were presented at scientific meetings in 2008 and 2009. There will be space to display the posters and to ‘talk science’ with colleagues.

Goodbye party for Pixley

Written by on November 6, 2009. Posted in News.

Pixley2 Coworkers, family, and friends gathered on 23 October 2009 in El Batán’s Rincón Mexicano to say goodbye to Kevin Pixley, former associate director of the Global Maize Program (GMP), who will start work at the University of Wisconsin in November. He will remain involved with CIMMYT activities as a partnered scientist and will dedicate 50% of his time to HarvestPlus, an international, interdisciplinary program to alleviate nutritional deficiency through breeding micronutrient-enriched staple foods.

“I hope it isn’t too unfair of me to enjoy a goodbye party, since I will be coming back frequently to continue working on old projects, and hopefully new ones as well,” Pixley joked after a round of emotional goodbyes and well wishes.

Pixley joined CIMMYT in 1990 as a Ph.D. student and moved three years later to Zimbabwe to work as a maize breeder and later as the director of the regional program. He then spent time as the director of CIMMYT’s Tropical Ecosystems Program and coordinator of HarvestPlus maize, altogether totaling nearly 20 years with CIMMYT.

During the farewell party, colleagues bestowed Pixley with three plaques—presented by Marianne Bänziger, deputy director general for research and partnerships; Raymundo López, Agua Fría Station superintendent; and Ignacia García, program assistant who presented on behalf of GMP-Colombia—and many remarked upon his outstanding leadership and teaching qualities. “When I first came into the (Global Maize) program, all I knew about maize was how to eat it,” laughed George Mahuku, senior scientist/pathologist, adding that under Pixley’s guidance he has learned a lot. After speeches, gifts, and a moving piano and vocal rendition of “Hey Jude,” by Marcelo Pérez, Pixley and his wife Jill were serenaded by mariachis and enjoyed a video about Pixley’s time at CIMMYT.

“It’s not easy to leave a job that offers daily challenges and opportunities to contribute meaningfully—even in a small way—toward a better world,” Pixley wrote in a goodbye email. “I’ve seen many changes at CIMMYT, but a shared passion and dedication to our mission remains the force that brings each of us to CIMMYT, lures each of us daily to the field, lab, office, meeting room, airport… and defines our individual and institutional character. It has been my great pleasure and privilege to work with you, and I thank you all!”

Staff changes in the Global Maize Program

Written by on August 31, 2009. Posted in News.

Marianne Bänziger will move from her current position as director of the Global Maize Program (GMP) to become CIMMYT’s new deputy director general for research and partnerships, starting 1 October 2009. CIMMYT will refill the position of GMP director vacated by Bänziger as soon as a highly qualified candidate is identified. Between 1 October 2009 and the time it takes to fill the GMP director position, responsibilities will be assigned as follows:

Bänziger will supervise GMP activities in Asia and backstop major cross-program maize projects in Africa. She will also remain principal investigator for the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) project.
Wilfred Mwangi, associate director, Africa, will supervise GMP activities in Africa.
Gary Atlin, associate director, molecular breeding, will supervise GMP activities in Latin America and all maize biotechnology activities.
Kevin Pixley will be moving to the University of Wisconsin effective 1 November 2009 from where he will continue to oversee global Maize Harvest Plus activities.

Two recent appointments within GMP will facilitate these changes: Félix San Vincente will start as senior scientist, maize breeder, Latin America in January 2010 and a soon-to-be-announced candidate will start as senior scientist, lead maize breeder for DTMA in October 2009. Both scientists bring highly relevant experience from the public and private sector.

CIMMYT Global Maize Program experiences Zimbabwe

Written by on March 17, 2009. Posted in News.

From 28 February to 3 March, the Global Maize Program (GMP) team and participants from the Socioeconomics and Genetic Resources programs (forming ‘GMP Plus’) were in Harare, Zimbabwe for their annual review and work planning meeting. It was a good time for old colleagues to reunite and for the many new colleagues to become better integrated—finally putting faces to Bish Das, Yoseph Beyene, Kassa Semagn, Sarah Kibera, and Héctor Sánchez.

For four days the participants critically reviewed on-going and proposed projects. Presentations on activities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia set the stage for lively discussions and clearly-defined follow-ups. Covered topics included the germplasm bank, molecular breeding, new germplasm, seed systems, more effective product communication, and socio-economic approaches for various projects. Project scientists also identified and listed points of interaction with other units such as corporate communications, administration, and human resources to ensure broad support for project activities.

“Last year was a great year for maize research at CIMMYT and our funding base has become stronger,” said Marianne Bänziger, GMP director. “But let’s also face the challenges by scaling up molecular breeding so that it indeed accelerates our breeding progress by getting the best germplasm more rapidly through varietal release and to more farmers, and by being clever in how we interact in a patchwork of multidisciplinary projects that span the globe. I won’t tell you the solutions are easy, but we have the right skills and let’s be open to learning new ones to effectively tackle these challenges.”

Teamwork and cooperation were recurrent themes in the meeting. “I have only been with the GMP for four years, but I find the sense of teamwork truly outstanding,” said Guillermo Ortiz-Ferrara, who leads the Hill Maize Research Project in Nepal.

Participants also got a taste of reality in Harare. The meeting was held in a beautiful location about three kilometers from the CIMMT Zimbabwe station where Internet access was slow and daily life was affected by a generator which ran out by 9:00 p.m.

“We salute our Zimbabwe colleagues for keeping our commitment to the development of maize in Zimbabwe and to the uplifting of poor farmers within the region despite challenging circumstances,” said Wilfred Mwangi, leader of the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) Project. “We also thank CIMMYT management for having faith in and continuing to support the GMP work in Zimbabwe.”

On the last day, Héctor Sánchez and Anne Wangalachi gave a presentationon web interaction tools that focused on CIMMYT’s Wiki, Maize Trials Reporter (which is in final testing stages before commercial release), Maize Doctor, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) module. The last three are hosted on the DTMA Project website (http://dtma.cimmyt.org). Sarah Kibera, GMP program advisor, presented a proposed Program Management System, developed in Nairobi by Aaron Pesa with assistance from Kibera, Kimani Kamau, and Bänziger. The system (also in final testing) is expected to assist in more effective planning, better use of resources, and increased ease of interaction. “This will improve project communications since, with just a few clicks, you can access information on teams’ work plans, reports, and timelines all across CIMMYT,” said Kamau.

The meeting included a party to honor Augustine Langyintuo, outgoing CIMMYT economist, and meeting participants expressed thanks for their CIMMYT-Zimbabwe colleagues who provided logistical support to make the meeting successful under challenging national circumstances, especially Mulugetta Mekuria, Bindi Vivek, Irene Gwabi, Tsungai Gumbo, Simbarashe Chisoro, Fred Sikirivawu, and Mafiyo Wadi.

DG Tom Lumpkin visits CIMMYT’s southern Africa programs

Written by on December 4, 2008. Posted in News.

From 19-25 November 2008, Lumpkin visited southern Africa to familiarize himself with CIMMYT staff, partners, and activities. The visit began at the regional office in Harare, Zimbabwe, where Lumpkin accompanied by Global Maize Program (GMP) Director Marianne Bänziger, interacted with all staff, and visited the research facilities. Country Liaison Officer Mulugetta Mekuria presented an overview of CIMMYT-Zimbabwe activities, partnerships, linkages, host-country relationships, and the challenges the office faces. Meeting presentations and interactions during a luncheon shared with staff highlighted various program objectives, activities, partnerships, impacts, and issues, such as national staff welfare.

Lumpkin, Bänziger, and Mekuria visited and interacted with highlevel officials and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe, United Nations agencies, and other development partners, including non-governmental organizations and private sector partners. During these interactions, Lumpkin elaborated on CIMMYT’s role and contributions in Zimbabwe and in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, while thanking the Zimbabwean government for hosting the regional office, which is based at the University of Zimbabwe Farm. During a private sector and NGO forum organized by CIMMYT, discussions centered on private-public partnerships and NGO contributions in technology development and promotion for maize-based farming systems. On a field visit to the rural farming community of Shamva, Lumpkin chatted with smallholder farmers regarding their experiences testing conservation agriculture (CA) practices and soil fertility management activities as introduced by CIMMYT’s CA and Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA) programs.

Another highlight of Lumpkin’s visit was the colorful reception organized in his honor and attended by senior representatives from Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Agriculture, including the Deputy Minister, Permanent Secretary, and Principal Director for Agricultural Research for Development, Acting Director for Extension, and other high officials. Guests included delegates from CIMMYT’s technical and development partners representing research, academia, the private sector, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank, and media. Lumpkin’s presentation “CIMMYT and the Challenges of Food Security in Southern Africa” spurred lively discussion among all attending.

During the reception, Lumpkin presented the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) Project’s excellence award for the best maize technology development and dissemination team in southern Africa to the Zimbabwean maize research and development team. This team comprises scientists from the Department of Agricultural Research for Development (DAR4D) and Agricultural Extension and Technical Services (AGRITEX). On acknowledging this award, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. David Chapfika and Dr. R. Gata, Principal Director of Agricultural Research, commended CIMMYT’s effort and its continued presence and commitment to Zimbabwe and the SADC region, while congratulating the team.

Traveling further south, Lumpkin and Mekuria visited South Africa and had very useful discussions and interactions with the country’s ministry of agriculture officials, top management, and maize and wheat program leaders of the Agricultural Research Council. In a meeting with teams from the New African Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), discussions focused on the role of CGIAR centers in promoting the objectives of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) coordinated by NEPAD. It was recommended that NEPAD explore and follow up on potential funding opportunities for CIMMYT activities in the region.

DG Tom Lumpkin visits eastern Africa

Written by on November 21, 2008. Posted in News.

To welcome Lumpkin to the region and so he could meet CIMMYT partners, on 18 November 2008 the Global Maize Program (GMP) organized a gala dinner attended by more than 20 dignitaries, including representatives of Kenya’s agricultural research program, seed-producer organizations, universities and research institutes, and other international centers and major development projects. Joseph DeVries, director of the Program for Africa’s Seed Systems of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), observed that Lumpkin had joined CIMMYT “…at a particularly exciting time for agriculture in Africa,” a theme echoed by several other guests. After drinks and food, Lumpkin spoke of his origins and professional experience, and described important issues and directions for CIMMYT and others working in sub-Saharan Africa. “ All our passion and efforts as partners must come together on increasing agricultural productivity in Africa – to ensure that the poor too have access to affordable food, especially now that we are facing new global challenges: the economic crisis, sky-rocketing food and fuel prices and climate change.

GMP director Marianne Bänziger thanked those attending, saying that “… nothing would be possible without our partners, such as the seed companies, KEPHIS (the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services), and KARI (the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute).” As a prelude to the upcoming retirement of CIMMYT maize breeder Alpha Diallo, Bänziger and Lumpkin awarded him a compact version of a memorial plaque he will receive in December 2008. “CIMMYT is my family,” said Diallo, whose work has contributed to many improved varieties—particularly of stress tolerant and quality protein maize— in sub-Saharan Africa. “When I joined the center as a postdoc in 1983, I was among the first Africans to work here. If I was able to achieve anything, it was because I found people who believed in what they were doing and in what I wanted to do. When I leave, I’m going to be a CIMMYT ambassador.”

Before visiting Nairobi, Lumpkin spent four days in Ethiopia with CIMMYT colleagues and partners who included government officials, donor representatives, national agricultural research teams, seed producers, and farmers. In all interactions it was clear that strong partnerships and good relations between CIMMYT and collaborators were at work. In fact, CIMMYT agronomist Dennis Friesen says that, in Ethiopia, CIMMYT and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) “…are viewed as one.”