Members of the MaĂz Criollo Kantunil group next to a plot of land cultivated using sustainable practices (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
The Mexican Revolution was not the only transformative movement to emerge in Mexico. Another profound transformation began in the Mexican countryside, and today, far from guns, today it continues to drive a more peaceful and resilient society through the integration of science, innovation and ancestral knowledge.Â
In the 1960s, Mexico set a precedent for global agricultural change. Today, that movement has evolved into a sustainability approach that responds to today’s challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss and the need to ensure food security. Under CIMMYT’s leadership, the Hub model has established itself as a key tool for delivering scientific solutions to producers, strengthening resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.Â
At CIMMYT, we believe that ensuring food security means not only producing healthier food but also conserving natural resources such as soil and water and promoting the well-being of farmers and their communities. Through the Hub model, we have promoted practices such as the sustainable management of staple crops such as maize and related crops, and the use of strategies to strengthen the seed system to meet the challenges of the agricultural sector.Â
A clear example of this approach is the MaĂz Criollo Kantunil group in YucatĂĄn. Led by Edgar Miranda, this collective of eight families has adopted innovative practices such as regenerative agriculture, efficient water use and agroecological pest management. By linking with the Hub model, the group has been able to conserve native seeds, strengthen local agroecology and generate social and productive benefits for their community.Â
âOur main objective is that the next generations will have seeds available to meet their food needs,â said Edgar Miranda. âWe work with sustainable practices that allow us to conserve our resources and produce healthy crops,â he added.Â
In addition to supporting producers, the Hub model fosters associativity and community participation, essential pillars for building inclusive and resilient food systems. These activities are in line with national initiatives such as strengthening production chains, but also reflect CIMMYT’s commitment to a global approach to sustainable development.Â
CIMMYT’s strategy in Mexico not only supports producers in transforming their agricultural systems, but also promotes strategic alliances with public and private actors. These collaborations strengthen the integration of scientific solutions and sustainable practices, stimulate innovation in rural communities, and promote resilience to the challenges of climate change. With an approach based on science, inclusiveness and continuous learning, CIMMYT continues to contribute to building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous future for Mexico and the world.Â
Biofortified corn crop in Colombia (Photo: CIMMYT)
CIMMYT, in collaboration with the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia, is contributing to the Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia project. This transformative initiative aims to reshape Colombiaâs agricultural sector by fostering sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. Several research institutions are also part of this mission as strategic implementing partners.
The goal of Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia is to address the environmental and productionchallenges facing Colombian agriculture, while ensuring food security and sustainability. Through the implementation of innovative technologies, better agricultural practices and adaptation to climate change, it aims to improve the competitiveness of Colombian producers and reduce pressure on natural resources. In this sense, the project contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to climate action, life on earth and reducing inequalities.Â
CIMMYT is collaborating in this project to join efforts to strengthen farmers’ capacities, as Sustainable Agri-Food Colombia focuses not only on agricultural production, but on the entire agri-food system, seeking to build more inclusive and efficient value chains, from production to the consumer, emphasizing community participation and knowledge transfer in an inclusive manner, involving women, youth and marginalized rural communities in decision-making processes and technology adoption.Â
The collaboration between international CGIAR research centers, such as the Bioversity-CIAT Alliance and CIMMYT, together with key stakeholders in Colombia, demonstrates that the future of agriculture depends on an integrated vision that combines science, innovation and collaboration. This lays the foundation for transforming agriculture and food in Colombia for the benefit of people and the planet.Â
At COP29, the Rockefeller Foundation highlighted its support for CIMMYT through a grant focused on advancing regenerative agricultural practices on farms in Mexico. This collaboration underscores CIMMYT’s pivotal role in driving sustainable farming solutions that enhance food security, environmental resilience, and biodiversity conservation. By integrating regenerative techniques into agrifood systems, CIMMYT contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change while safeguarding the productivity and health of vital ecosystems.
Germplasm Bank team that participated in the new shipment of seeds to Svalbard (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
In an act that underlines Mexico’s commitment to biodiversityconservation and global food security, CIMMYT has delivered its ninth shipment of maize seeds to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. This deposit marks a significant milestone, completing 90% of the maize collection and 92% of the wheat collection, making CIMMYT one of the leading custodians of the world’s agricultural biological heritage.
The Svalbard Vault, known as the âvault at the end of the world,â is an impressive repository located on a Norwegian island, more than 8,000 kilometers from Mexico. Its purpose is to store seeds from around the world to protect biodiversity from natural disasters, conflicts, or the effects of climate change. With this latest shipment, Mexico strengthens its role in conserving seeds that, in critical situations, could mean the difference between the collapse or resilience of global food systems.
Cristian Zavala, germplasm conservation specialist at CIMMYT, emphasized the importance of this shipment for the maize and wheat collections. âThis shipment is essential to ensure the availability of seeds in the future,â said Zavala, alluding to the long process needed to complete the conservation of the collections. âWhile this is not the last shipment to Svalbard, it is a critical one to ensure the availability of the seed in the future,â he added.
These efforts are aimed not only at protecting the genetic diversity of these crops but also at ensuring that the seed is available for distribution. Zavala explained, âIn addition to supporting 92% of this shipment, the wheat collection has reached 90% availability for distribution, which makes us eligible to participate in long-term funding.â This availability is key to ensuring food security and allows these seeds to be recovered and distributed to regions that may need repatriation.
The CIMMYT Germplasm Bank at Texcoco, which houses the largest and most diverse collections of maize and wheat in the world, serves not only Mexico but all of humanity. Protected as a âglobal good,â these seeds are available for research, agriculture, and education. âWhen we talk about a public good or a global good, we mean that all of humanity has the right to enjoy this diversity in a responsible way,â said Zavala.
The Svalbard Vault, with its ability to withstand natural disasters and other threats, is a guarantee to the countries that store their seed collections there. In Zavala’s words, âIf this diversity is lost, only these types of gene banks can and will be able to return it to its place of origin.â This reflects the global and collaborative effort needed to conserve agricultural biodiversity.
This achievement is the result of a collective effort. âTo make this shipment possible, a large team of people participated. This year, about 50 people supported this set of seeds,â said Zavala. Conservation of genetic resources is a team effort that involves many actors to ensure the availability of these seeds in the future.
The shipment to Svalbard is a reminder of the importance of gene banks as a critical tool in addressing the challenges of climate change and ensuring global food security. The seeds sent are not intended for immediate cultivation but will serve as a backup, ready to be used in the event of a disaster affecting the original collections. In this way, Mexico is contributing to a public good of inestimable value for all humanity.
In a world increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss, or social instability, these shipments are more than just storage. They are an act of collective responsibility that will allow humanity to maintain its ability to feed and thrive.
Crops struggling to grow in drought conditions, Bihar (Photo: Moben Ignatius/CIMMYT)
Agriculture is one of the sectors most affected by droughts, which can last for months or even years. In Bihar, where rain-fed agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for many, droughts can be devastating for rural farmers. The growing threat of climate change to crop production and farming practices calls for adopting alternative farming methods. In 2022-23, many districts in Bihar experienced drought conditions.
To better understand the impact of drought on crop production practices and farmers’ livelihoods, researchers from CSISA, a CIMMYT-led project, conducted a survey in Bihar during both the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2022-23, the year of the drought. In the Kharif season, 518 farmers from 11 districts, 39 blocks, and 79 villages were surveyed, while 339 farmers participated in the Rabi season survey. The primary goal of this data collection was to assess the impact of drought on agricultural practices and provide evidence to guide policy and decision-making processes.
The survey collected data on 123 variables related to rice production, including land preparation, cropping patterns for 2022 and 2021, crop establishment methods, irrigation management, fertilizer application, and weed management. Farmers also shared their perceptions of how the drought had altered their rice production practices and affected their livelihoods compared to the previous year.
For many farmers, the experience of the drought was harsh. Magni Singh from East Champaran reflected on the challenges: “This year (2022), the drought hit us hard. I could only plant paddy on a small piece of land, but with no rain, there was not much harvest. Our fragmented land makes efficient irrigation almost impossible, and relying on rain feels like gambling with each season. Farming in these conditions is becoming increasingly unsustainable.”
Similarly, Shanti Devi of Banka shared her struggles: “The season started with drought, and we struggled to get water to the crops. By the time the rain came, it was too late â it came during the harvest and damaged the crop. I couldnât afford fertilizers in time, which made things worse. Every year, it feels like weâre battling both nature and rising costs.”
This drought impact assessment by CSISA is also valuable for further research, particularly for comparing rice production practices between drought and non-drought years. Such comparisons can help researchers and policymakers develop effective drought mitigation strategies tailored to farmers’ needs.
An electric pump used to irrigate a paddy field in Buxar, Bihar (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT)
South Asia, a region heavily impacted by climate change, faces rising temperatures, erratic monsoon rains causing intermittent drought and excessive moisture within the season, and frequent episodes of heat waves. These extreme weather events are challenging agrarian practices and affecting millions, especially smallholder farmers dependent upon rainfed cultivations. The halcyon days of consistent environmental conditions are gone, and adaptation and mitigation strategies have become essential in South Asia.
In May 2024, over 20 districts in the Terai region of Nepal and many parts of northern India recorded maximum temperatures between 40°C and 45°C, with several districts also experiencing heat waves during the same period. The temperature rise is not limited to the lowland plains; the effects are also being felt in the mountains, where rapid snowmelt is becoming increasingly common. In the Hindu Kush Himalayas region of Pakistan, farmers have had to shift their cropping cycles by a month to cope with drought stress caused by rising temperatures, which are leading to the early melting of snow in the region.
Partners in South Asia visiting heat stress tolerant hybrids demonstration in Nepal (Photo: CIMMYT-Nepal)
Collaborating to rise above the challenge
Amid the growing climate crisis, the Heat Stress Tolerant Maize for Asia (HTMA) project was launched by CIMMYT in 2012, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Feed the Future initiative of the U.S. Government. The overarching goal of the HTMA project was to help farm families, particularly maize growers, to adapt to the impacts of soaring heat on maize productivity in South Asia. The project was implemented in partnership with 28 public and private sector stakeholders across the region and beyond to develop a multipronged approach to overcoming these challenges.
âOur aim is to develop and deploy maize hybrids with high yield potential and possess traits resilient to heat and drought stresses,â said P.H. Zaidi, Principal Scientist, and HTMA project lead at CIMMYT. Zaidi noted that during heat stress âhigh temperatures alone are not the only limiting factor- it is the combination of high temperature with low atmospheric humidity (high vapor pressure deficit), that creates a âkiller combinationâ for maize production in the Asian tropics.â
This was also emphasized in a recently published article that he co-authored.
The development of heat stress-tolerant maize involves the use of cutting-edge breeding tools and methods, including genomics-assisted breeding, double haploidy, field-based precision phenotyping, and trait-based selection. Over 20 such hybrids have been officially released in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bhutan. Between 2023 and 2024, over 2,500 metric tons of seed from these hybrids were distributed to farmers, helping them beat the heat.
Agile partnerships-from discovery to scaling
The first phase of the project (2012-2017) focused on discovering heat-tolerant maize varieties. During this time, pipeline products underwent field evaluations in stress-prone environments, leveraging the projectâs product evaluation network of public and private partners, who contributed by managing trials and generating performance data. In the second phase (2018-2023), the focus shifted toward the deployment and scaling of heat-tolerant hybrids and strengthening seed systems in target countries to enable large-scale delivery, benefiting millions of farm families, particularly in South Asia’s rainfed ecologies. For example, the seed produced in 2023-2024 sufficed to cover over 125,000 hectares and benefited nearly 2.5 million people in the region.
HTMA project partners gathered in Nepal for the annual and project closure meeting (Photo-CIMMYT-Nepal)
Hailu Tefera, from USAID, praised the projectâs success during the annual review and project closure meeting held in Nepal from August 21-22, 2024. âWe have seen great strides in scaling heat stress tolerant hybrids in the region. This initiative aligns with the US Governmentâs Global Food Security Strategy, where building farmersâ resilience to shocks and climate vulnerability is central,â said Tefera, acknowledging the adaptive and agile partnership demonstrated by the projectâs partners throughout HTMA’s discovery and scaling phases.
One of the projectâs key achievements was creating a multi-stakeholder platform and leveraging resources across the region. Partners, including national agricultural research systems, seed companies, and higher learning institutes, expanded the projectâs impact. âThe collaboration we fostered under the HTMA project is a working example of effective partnerships,â said B.M. Prasanna, Director of CIMMYTâs Global Maize Program. He highlighted how synergies with other developmental projects in the region, especially projects supported by the USAID country mission in Nepal helped launch local hybrid seed production, transforming the country from a net importer of hybrid maize seeds to producing locally in just a few years, and such seeds of resilience cover nearly 10,000 hectares in 2023/24 alone. Using heat tolerant (HT) maize seed allows smallholder farmers to harvest nearly one metric ton per hectare additional yield than normal maize under stress conditions.
The value of the seed these new hybrids was validated by adopter farmers who grow maize in stress-vulnerable ecologies by expressing their willingness to pay a premium price for HT hybrid seed as per the study conducted in Nepal and India. âThe spillover effect of the project is helping countries like Bhutan to strengthen their seed systems and initiate hybrid seed production for the first time,â added Prasanna, expressing gratitude to USAID and all project partners.
The salient achievements of the project, including technical know-how, outputs, outcomes, and learnings were compiled as an infographic, titled “HTML Tool‘‘ and it was formally released by Narahari Prasad Ghimire, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nepal, during the HTMA meeting in Nepal.
Rewarding achievement
Subash Raj Upadhyay, Managing Director of Lumbini Seed Company in Nepal, recalls the early days of producing heat stress-tolerant hybrid maize seed in Nepal, which began in 2018. âOur journey started with just one hectare of seed production in 2018 and 2019, and we expanded to 30 hectares by 2022. This was the first time that we started hybrid maize seed production in Nepal, specifically RH-10, a heat stress tolerant hybrid from CIMMYT, released by the National Maize Research Program of Nepal. The support of USAIDâs projects like the Nepal seed and fertilizer project was crucial for our success,â said Upadhyay, who was among the award recipients for setting a potent example in scaling up heat stress-tolerant hybrids.
HTMA TOOL- an infographic launched during the meeting (Photo-CIMMYT Nepal)
In addition to Lumbini Seed Company, Jullundur Seed Private Limited Company in Pakistan was also recognized for its efforts in seed scaling. The National Maize Research Program of Nepal and the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, India, were acknowledged for their rewarding achievement in research and development during the project period.
âThe recognition exemplifies the public-private partnership that we demonstrated under the HTMA project, where the public sector mainly focused on strategic research and product development, and seed companies took charge of seed delivery and scaling,â said Zaidi during the projectâs phaseout meeting in Nepal, attended by over 60 participants from the projectâs target and spillover countries. âSuch partnership models need to be strengthened and replicated in other projects. It is important to consolidate the gains and maintain the momentum of the HTMA project in the years to come to benefit millions of smallholder farmers,â echoed Prasanna, who presented certificates of recognition to the partners in the presence of USAID representatives, senior government officials from Nepal and project partners from South Asia and beyond.
As Southern Africa faces unprecedented drought conditions CIMMYT continues to lead efforts in reducing the devastating impact of extreme weather. Through its role as a partnership convener, CIMMYT has brought together climate change advisories and climate-smart agriculture to empower farmers, who are demonstrating incredible resilience by continuing to produce food for their families and communities.Â
“The current climate crisis highlights the urgency of scaling resilient agricultural practices. At CIMMYT, we believe that empowering farmers to adopt drought-tolerant crops and sustainable methods is essential to securing food systems and ensuring communities can weather the challenges ahead,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT.Â
By strengthening seed systems and applying global best practices, CIMMYT has empowered farmers across Zambia and Malawi to adapt to drought, ensuring nutritional security and improved livelihoods. The adoption of innovations, including conservation agriculture and resilient legume systems, is increasing farmers’ resilience and buffering against future shocks.Â
Strengthening Early-Warning SystemsÂ
CIMMYT has expanded access to early-warning systems and climate advisories through the GROWSMART campaign, which has reached over 1 million farmers in Zambia and Malawi. Through a network of digital champions and voice-activated advisories accessible via simple mobile phones, CIMMYT has provided critical, real-time information. This has enabled farmers to plan more effectively, reducing crop losses and optimizing planting schedules in response to changing weather patterns.Â
Scaling Resilient SolutionsÂ
CIMMYT has strengthened private sector and civil society partnerships to significantly expand the production of climate-resilient legumes, which were harvested early to provide nutritious food. In combination with maize hybrids like SC 555 and Ntondo (MH35), these legume systems have improved the food security of over 700,000 smallholder farmers. Â
Moving forward, CIMMYT plans to expand seed systems further, aiming to support the adoption of game-changing crops and conservation agriculture by the end of 2025. This expansion will provide farmers with the tools needed to mitigate the impacts of unpredictable weather patterns, ensuring food security in the face of persistent droughts.Â
Empowering Women and Youth in AgricultureÂ
Recognizing the vital roles that women and youth play in agriculture, CIMMYT has prioritized gender-sensitive training programs and access to financing for women farmers, who comprise 78% of Zambiaâs agricultural workforce. In Malawi, youth-focused initiatives, such as the LUANAR Agribusiness Hub, are helping young agro-entrepreneurs adopt climate-resilient farming methods. These efforts are not only boosting food production but also driving economic empowerment.Â
Climate-Resilient Maize and Legume Systems: A Lifeline for FarmersÂ
CIMMYTâs Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) as part of the USAID Feed the Future investments has played a key role in providing smallholder farmers access to drought-tolerant maize hybrids like SC 555 in Zambia and Ntondo (MH35) in Malawi. These hybrids, combined with legume systems such as groundnut and pigeonpea, are designed to thrive under extreme weather conditions, improving soil health and ensuring profitable, nutritionally secure cropping systems.Â
In Zambia, the SC 555 maize hybrid has shown exceptional resilience during the 2023-2024 season. Farmers like Mr. Chizela from Chinwe Mpongwe, who faced a six-week dry spell, have harvested abundantly despite the drought, ensuring food security and income stability. Similarly, in Malawi, the Ntondo (MH35) hybrid has demonstrated remarkable drought tolerance at Msunga Farm, with yields of up to 4.37 tons per hectareâfar exceeding those of non-drought-resistant varieties.Â
Building for the FutureÂ
CIMMYTâs ongoing research and innovation efforts are focused on developing even more resilient maize and legume varieties to withstand both drought and extreme temperatures. Set for release by 2025, these new varieties will offer farmers sustainable, high-yield solutions to address the growing threat of climate change.Â
About CIMMYTÂ
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, nonprofit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrowâs problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working toward a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.Â
CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.Â
In parts of the conflict-ridden Sudan, including the eastern regions such as Kassala and Gadarif, rainfall is sparse and recurring droughts caused by climate change compound the issue. Consequently, perennial grasses that are supposed to grow back year after year are dramatically disappearing.
In addition, uncontrolled and heavy grazing in large areas in Sudan is also negatively affecting soil by increasing erosion, and cattle hooves can compact the soil, preventing plant roots from receiving enough oxygen, water, and nutrients.
Due to these factors, many pastoralist groups in east Sudan are seeking grazing resources outside their recognized tribal territory. A major problem for these groups has been the recurrent droughts and the deterioration of pasture areas, which has forced them to stay longer in areas with rich grazing, thus competing with other groups and leading to frictions and conflicts.
Livestock-Food Systems Development (LFSD) is a component of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS), funded by USAID, focused on the dairy and meat subsector of the livestock sector. The LFSD aims to enhance the utilization of appropriate forage and feeding options through the demarcation of migratory routes to ease access to grazing, avoid conflicts, and reduce long-distance livestock travel impact on livestock health.
Along with partners, Practical Action and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), LFSD, is establishing a 50 km migratory route demarcation from Al Hindiiyya to Banqir in the Atbara River locality, Kassala State, East Sudan. These routes connect villages to public grazing land for livestock to pass through without impacting farmland.
The intervention also includes reseeding 1,000 feddans (around 420 hectares) of grazing lands and creating water ponds for animals during the rainy season. SASAS is also enhancing water harvesting by using a tractor to increase soil moisture. The two interventions were recommended by local communities and agriculture and animal resources authorities in Kassala state.
âAs the rainy season is commencing, we started working with the local communities and reseeding the targeted areas in rural Kassala and River Atbara localities as recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture,â said Dr. Abdallah Osman, Project Manager, Practical Action.
Reseeding around 1,000 feddans of grazing lands in River Atbara Locality, Kassala (Photo:Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT )
âTo ensure the best results, we used a mix of five high-quality seed types, all of which were recommended by the Kassala State Ministry of Agriculture,â Osman said.
The reseeding will serve 15 villages and enhance grazing lands for over 100,000 animals in the area. In addition, water storing capacity will be increased by constructing 15 large water ponds.
âFor the past decades, our grazing lands had diminished gradually, and we face huge challenges in feeding our livestock, especially during dry seasons. In most cases, we had to buy costly fodder and water trucking,â said Ahmed Hassan, a community leader and a herder from River Atbara Locality, Kassala State. âWe feel very proud to participate in reseeding the grazing lands in our areas, as this will increase grass yield and quality, enabling us to feed our animals better.â
The intervention also aims to rehabilitate animal migratory route demarcations to ease access to grazing, avoid conflicts, and reduce long-distance livestock travel impact on livestock health.
âAs farmers, we suffer a lot from animals that cross into our agricultural fields and destroy our crops. We are relieved that reseeding will create more grazing lands for herders, and the demarcation of animal routes will help reduce the chronic seasonal conflicts between farmers and herders,â said Haw Osman, a farmer from Am Safri, Kassala Rural locality.
âAt SASAS, we strive to ensure that herders have access to rich grazing lands. We work with our partners to address all problems linked to overgrazing, reseeding pasture lands, and treating the causes of conflict between herders and farmers. We involve local communities in creating clear animal migration routes away from farms and increasing water sources for animals through water harvesting projects,â said Abdelrahman Kheir, SASAS Chief of Party in Sudan.
Water harvesting to create water ponds for animals in River Atbara Locality, Kassala State (Photo: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT )SASAS partners work with local communities in rural Kassala and River Atbara to mark animal migration routes for animals (Photo: Suliman Fadlalla/CIMMYT)
With food insecurity affecting 733 million people worldwide, the need for solutions is urgent as World Food Day draws near. CIMMYTâs leadership in promoting sustainable agricultural systems is exemplified by Sieglinde Snapp, Director of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Program, who emphasizes the role of biodiversity in building resilient food systems. By encouraging the use of resilient crops like millet and sorghum, CIMMYT is working to improve soil health and enhance farmers’ livelihoods, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. Empowering women and ensuring smallholder farmers have access to resources are key elements in transforming global food systems, a cause CIMMYT is deeply invested in.
Thatâs how much farmers have saved this century, through use of disease-resistant wheat varieties. Modern wheat can thank its âwild relativesâ â grassy cousins millions of years old and tested through extremes of earthâs climate â for most of its resistance genes.
Despite such remarkable achievements in wheat breeding, weâve only scratched the surface of the genetic potential in wheatâs wild relatives. With climate change intensifying and the rapid evolution and spread of pathogens â a new strain of fungus can circulate in the jet streamâitâs imperative that we increase investment in researching this largely untapped genetic diversity. Doing so could revolutionize wheat production, ensuring food security while dramatically reducing agricultureâs environmental footprint.
Without such efforts, epidemics or pandemics could devastate yields, potentially leading to massive applications of toxic agrochemicals and increased selection pressure for pests and diseases to develop resistance. The consequences would be far-reaching, impacting not only food security and the environment, but also geopolitical stability, potentially triggering human migration and conflict.
Today, wheat is the most widely grown crop on Earth, providing 20% of all human protein and calories and serving as the primary staple food for 1.5 billion people in the Global South.
However, with its future under threat, standard breeding approaches can no longer keep up with the pace of climate change. Research shows that climate shifts from 1980-2008 reduced wheat harvests by 5.5%, and global wheat production falls 6% for every degree-centigrade increase in temperature.
Wheat science urgently requires enhanced investments to scale up genetic studies of wild relatives, utilizing next-generation breeding tools. These tools include gene sequencing technologies, big-data analytics, and remote sensing technologies. Satellite imagery makes the planet a laboratory, allowing researchers to monitor traits like plant growth or disease resistance globally. Artificial intelligence can super-charge breeding simulations and quickly identify promising genes that enhance climate-resilience.
The basic genetic resources are already available: more than 770,000 unique seed samples are stored in 155 seed banks across 78 countries. These samples represent the full scope of known wheat genetic diversity, from modern varieties to ancient wild relatives and landraces developed at the dawn of agriculture.
Whatâs missing is funding to accelerate the search for specific genes and combinations that will fortify wheat against harsher conditions. This requires political will from key decision-makers and public interest. Nothing is more important than food security and the environmental legacy we leave to our children.
Harnessing the power of microorganisms
The genetic variation in seed banks is largely absent in modern wheat, which became genetically separate from other grass species 10,000 years ago and has undergone recent science-based breeding, constricting its diversity. Wheat needs its cousinsâ diversity to thrive in a changing climate.
Beyond climate resilience and disease resistance, wild wheat relatives offer another exciting avenue for environmental benefits: enhanced interactions with beneficial microorganisms. These ancient grasses have evolved intricate relationships with soil microbes largely absent in modern wheat.
Some wild wheat relatives can inhibit soil microbes that convert ammonium to nitrate. While both are usable nitrogen forms for plants, nitrate is more prone to loss through leaching or gaseous conversion. Slowing this process of conversion, called nitrification, has profound implications for sustainable agriculture, potentially mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, improving nitrogen-use efficiency, and decreasing synthetic fertilizer use.
As proof of concept, the first and only crop (so far) bred to promote microbiome interaction is wheat, using a gene from a wild relative (Leymus racemosus) to slow nitrification.
In addition, wild relatives often form more effective symbiotic relationships with beneficial soil fungi and bacteria, enhancing nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and natural pest defenses. Reintroducing these traits could reduce chemical inputs while improving soil health and biodiversity.
The benefits extend beyond the field. Wheat varieties that use water and nutrients more efficiently could reduce agricultural runoff, protecting water bodies. Enhanced root systems could increase soil carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation.
By systematically exploring wild wheatâs microbial interaction traits, wheat varieties can be developed that not only withstand climate challenges but also actively contribute to environmental restoration.
This represents a paradigm shift from crop protection through chemicals to resilience through biological synergies. Indeed, even a fraction of the US $1.4 trillion spent annually on agrochemical crop protection could work wonders to fortify wheat against present and future challenges.
The path forward is clear: increased investment in researching wild wheat relatives can yield a new generation of wheat varieties that are not just climate-resilient, but also environmentally regenerative. This will be a crucial step towards sustainable food security in a changing world.
Soils are the bedrock for plant health and sustenance, but how do we protect and enhance them to maximize their nutritional potential? Years of conventional farming practices have left many soils depleted, raising urgent concerns about how to rejuvenate them. The recent El Niño event during the 2023/24 farming season in southern Africa, bringing extreme weather conditionsâranging from prolonged droughts to intense floodsâhas exposed the vulnerability of these soils. Poorly managed soils, already strained by years of excessive tillage and lack of cover, struggle to retain moisture under such stress, leading to crop failures even after rainfall.
However, conservation agriculture (CA) offers a vital solution. By improving soil structure and moisture retention, CA practices provide a lifeline for crops in challenging conditions. Recognizing this, CIMMYT scientists are actively promoting CA among smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting its critical role in sustaining soil health and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Described as lumps of soil particles that bind together strongly, soil aggregates play a vital role in maintaining soil health, supporting plant growth, and sustaining agricultural productivity. Formed by the combined effects of biological, chemical, and physical processes, the structure and stability of soil aggregates are crucial for several soil functionsâprimarily water infiltration, root growth, and resistance to erosion. Soil aggregates consist of various soil particles, including sand, silt, clay, and organic matter. There are different types of soil aggregates, including macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) and microaggregates (<0.25 mm), with macroaggregates typically more stable and beneficial for soil structure and functions.
Demonstrating the value of soil aggregate stability
A CIMMYT researcher holding a soil aggregate from a CA field (CIMMYT)
Imagine three soil aggregate samples taken from the same field but under different management regimesâfrom virgin soil that has not been previously cropped, to land under conservation agriculture practices for the last 5 to 8 years, and soil conventionally ploughed annually before crop planting for many years. When these soil aggregates are gently immersed in clear water, stark differences can be noted. The aggregates from conventionally tilled soil, weakened by years of intensive cultivation, quickly disintegrate, turning the water murky and brown.
In contrast, the aggregates from virgin soil remain intact, preserving the waterâs clarity even after several hours. The CA soil aggregates exhibit much better stability than those from the conventionally tilled soil but fail to remain as intact as those from the natural virgin soil. A simple lesson is drawn from this demonstration! Restoring degraded soils is a serious challenge. Even after 5 years of CA practices, soil organic carbon levels may only show modest improvement, and the aggregates, while more stable, still donât match the condition of aggregates from virgin soil.
Soil recovery from a degraded state is a slow process that is not âa walk in the park.â Transitioning from conventional tillage to CA is challenging and slow, requiring years to rebuild organic matter and improve aggregate stability. Patience and careful soil management are vital, as degradation can occur rapidly, but recovery is a lengthy process. However, incorporating organic soil amendments like manure and compost, along with diversifying crops by introducing legumes such as cowpea, groundnut, soybean, mucuna, and pigeon pea, can accelerate this recovery. While degradation occurs rapidly, soil restoration demands a long-term commitment, but the rewards are worth the effort.
Exploring conservation agriculture as a source to improve soil health
Conservation agriculture is built on three key principles: reduced soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and diverse crop rotation. Minimizing soil disturbance helps preserve soil structure, while permanent soil cover shields the soil against splash erosion and boosts microbial activity. Crop rotation enhances soil fertility, maintains aggregate structure, and disrupts pest and disease cycles. These principles are essential for soil recovery and the retention of organic matter.
Among these, permanent soil cover is often the most challenging for farmers to implement, yet it is critical for effective soil management. Demonstrating its importance, a simple test with water applied to soil samples with varying levels of cover illustrates splash erosion effects.
âSuch a simple test mimics real-life conditions farmers face during rains. Soils without cover suffer significant erosion, while those with minimal or substantial cover show reduced erosion and improved water retention. This emphasizes the importance of maintaining permanent soil cover to foster microbial activity and enhance soil health,â highlighted Isaiah Nyagumbo, cropping systems agronomist.
In a nutshell, soil aggregate management is fundamental to climate resilience and agricultural sustainability. Through the adoption of conservation agriculture practices, smallholder farmers can significantly improve soil health, enhance water and nutrient retention, and increase crop resilience to climate stress. The journey from degraded to healthy soil is long and challenging, but with careful management and patience, the benefits are profound and lasting. By understanding and implementing these principles, farmers can build a more sustainable and resilient food system.
A new study by CIMMYT, published in Global Change Biology, reveals that ancient wild relatives of wheat, which have adapted to extreme environmental conditions for millions of years, could be key to securing our future food supply. These wild varieties offer valuable genetic traits that can help modern wheat resist diseases, build climate resilience, and reduce agricultural emissions, making them essential for adapting to increasingly challenging growing conditions.
Dr Sieg Snapp is Program Director, Sustainable Agrifood Systems, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Climate change is upending weather patterns across Africa, presenting dire challenges for farming communities. In Zambia, the impact is particularly harsh. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the economy, with two-thirds of the countryâs workforce employed in agriculture, and 78% of these workers are women.
The country faced a severe El Niño during the 2023/2024 season, causing a severe drought that devastated over 1 million hectares of cropland. The president declared it a national disaster. El Niño events typically result in catastrophic drops in crop yields, often reducing maize harvests by 30-40%. These events not only impact food security but also hinder economic growth, with the agricultural sector’s contribution to Zambia’s GDP dropping from 9.4% to 3.39%.
The devastating El Niño-induced drought in Zambia is starkly illustrated by the story of Melody Limweta, a 31-year-old farmer. She and her husband, Collins Manenekela, have seen their already fragile livelihood pushed to the brink by severe water shortages. Typically, they rely on dry season gardening and small-scale farming, including raising chickens, during the rainy season. However, the drought has dried up local water sources, making gardening impossible and sharply reducing their income. The couple’s practice of planting maize in the same field each year with recycled seeds and traditional methods has worsened their situation, as the El Niño-induced rainfall deficits have led to poor yields. Their primary source of food and income has withered in the field due to insufficient rainfall.
A consortium of partners led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have joined together as a rapid delivery hub for these challenging times, providing vital support to rural communities and families such as Melody and Collins. Farmers have a strong voice in this unique delivery mode. With support from the people of the U.S. government, the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) is promoting access to drought-tolerant crops, climate-busting and nutritious legume seeds, agricultural advice and early warning systems to combat climate change. AID-I provides critical support to ensure that millions of smallholder farmers in the Haut-Katanga region of DR Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia have access to information and innovations needed for gains in food production that help buffer drought, flood and rising food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.
Speed and Scale: planting drought-tolerant maize
The idea of the ADI-I as a rapid delivery hub is to make available innovations and agronomic information at both speed and scale. Traditional farming methods and crops struggle with climate extremes like El Niño, which bring prolonged dry spells and heatwaves. Drought-tolerant maize varieties offer a promising solution by enhancing agricultural resilience. These adapted maize varieties yield 30-50% more than traditional ones under drought conditions, as demonstrated in recent trials during El Niño periods. However, these improved varieties are only useful when in farmersâ hands.
Working with local partners, AID-I is scaling drought-tolerant maize varieties to help Zambian farmers manage unpredictable weather patterns. In the 2023/2024 season, approximately 27% of Zambia’s smallholder farmers saw a significant boost in their maize harvests, benefiting over 900 thousand people in drought-affected regions, owing to drought-tolerant maize varieties. Over six hundred thousand households planted drought-tolerant maize varieties and produced 235 thousand metric tons of maize, accounting for 19% of Zambiaâs maize production in the 2023/2024 season. This is huge return, as only 10% of the maize-growing area being planted with these resilient varieties.
Crop diversification for family nutrition
In addition to drought-tolerant maize, studies indicate that diversifying with legume crops is crucial for managing weather extremes, especially droughts and for improving soil health. Planting legumes helps spread the risk with varied planting and harvest times, cushioning the impact of erratic rainfall on crop yields. Women can feed their families due to crops like peanuts that mature early and need less rainfall. The benefits are sustained over time, as combining legumes with cereals improves overall nutrition and soil health, even amid unpredictable weather.
To support this effort, AID-I linked over 2,000 farmers to high-quality seeds for groundnuts (peanuts) and soybeans. On average, each household harvested about 80 kg of groundnuts and 175 kg of soybeans, earning roughly $75 and $58, respectively. Collectively, this initiative produced about 205 metric tons of these crops, accounting for around 14.3% of Zambia’s total production in the drought-stricken season. Farmers had a voice in choosing which crop varieties to grow through a feedback system called âlet’s chatâ where with an ordinary flip phone farmers could call in and learn from their neighbour’s recorded commentary and testimonials. For the first time ever, farmers could provide comments on which crops they preferred, providing a lifeline of communication with agritraders, government and agricultural advisors.
A recent assessment found that Zambian women made up 60% of those benefiting from cowpeas, 65% from groundnuts, 62% from soybeans, and 36% from drought-tolerant maize.
Forewarned is forearmed – early-warning systems
Weather information services, especially early warnings about upcoming droughts, are vital for helping farmers adapt to climate change. Accurate and timely weather forecasts enable farmers to make informed decisions about planting, resource use, and crop management. This reduces losses and boosts productivity. Research shows that access to climate information can significantly increase crop yields and incomes, with some farmers experiencing up to a 66% boost in yields and a 24% rise in income.
The forecast of an El Niño for the 2023/2024 season prompted an early warning campaign to raise awareness about the hazards associated with El Niño and provide response mechanisms for smallholder farmers. AID-I used an Interactive Voice Response platform hosted by Viamo, a global social enterprise that uses mobile technology to connect people to valuable information and services. This rapid El Niño advisory campaign reached over 500 thousand farmers, with 60% male and 40% female listeners, and 93% of them under 35 years old. The campaign provided crucial advice on planting schedules, drought-resistant crops, and water-saving techniques.
Additionally, AID-I established demonstration sites that showcased effective winter crop production methods and introduced over 2,000 farmers to innovative agricultural practices. These interventions significantly improved farmers’ ability to respond to the drought.
Looking ahead
Scaling the adoption of drought-tolerant maize, improved legumes, and timely advisories is vital to protecting Zambia’s agriculture from climate extremes. The introduction of an AID-I-supported digital advisory campaign in September 2023 was a turning point for farmers like Melody and Collins. By engaging with the content, they learned about improved seeds, crop rotation, and better agronomic practices, which helped them cope with ongoing challenges and protect their resources. Initiatives like this can help families on the margins survive and rebuild agricultural production faster.
AID-I’s impact on families like Melody and Collins shows that investing in rapid delivery hubs is crucial for building resilience in farming communities. Expanding such initiatives will ensure more smallholder farmers have access to the innovations needed to maintain or increase food production amid climatic challenges.
Additionally, studies by organizations like Springer and the American Geophysical Union highlight the importance of integrating rapid delivery hubs into mainstream agricultural programs to enhance climate resilience and food security. Therefore, this necessitates an open call for international development alliesâincluding donors, governments, NGOs, and businessesâto incorporate initiatives like AID-I into broader agricultural agendas, essential for fostering resilience and ensuring the future stability of farming communities in Zambia and beyond.
*Dr. Sieg Snapp is a leading agricultural scientist, renowned for creating the “mother and baby” trial design, a global method that enhances farmer-researcher collaboration, improving genetics and soil management in 30 countries. As Program Director at CIMMYT in Mexico, she oversees sustainable agrifood systems research, leading a large team focused on supporting smallholder farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Her work emphasizes gender-aware, inclusive development and has fostered partnerships for sustainable agricultural practices. A Professor at Michigan State University with over 180 publications, Dr. Snapp has also significantly influenced agricultural policy and technology adoption in Africa. Her contributions have earned her numerous prestigious awards, and she holds a Ph.D. from the University of California Davis.
Umm Zeina, a 40-year-old farmer living in El Nahal, in Sudanâs Gadarif State, was not happy with her yield, blaming the poor seeds and traditional techniques she was using. This was until she participated in the extensive seeds production training program organized by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
âWe learned a lot on how to produce seeds and how to control the parasite Striga mixed with crops. The training draws our attention to the fact that the availability of quality seed is the foundation for food production and productivity. As traditional farmers, we had very poor information about the availability, characteristics, and prices of seed of improved varieties,â Umm Zeina stressed.
ICRISATâs extensive training attracted more than 350 (68 female) seed producer farmers from El Fashaga and El Nahal localities aimed at helping seed producers provide seeds of appropriate varieties for use by different categories of farmers. Farmers were also trained in better selection, treatment, and storage of seed from their own farms. The training also focused on the production of disease-free seeds to support agricultural productivity and success. The training helped to enhance farmersâ demand for improved seeds and eventually aimed to deliver improved seeds to more than 6000 farmers in El Fashaga, El Nahal and other neighboring localities.
This training was held as part of CIMMYTâs Sustainable Agrifood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS) program, which empowers farmers and herders to reduce the need for humanitarian assistance even in conflict-affected Sudan. In the context of the atrocious food crisis in Sudan, SASAS and partners work to ensure that farmers produce the quality seeds they need to enhance food production amid escalating conflict.
In El Fashaga and El Nahal localities, the seeds production training focused on sorghum, as this crop is widely adapted and drought tolerant as well as it is a staple crop to strengthen food security and contributes to agricultural diversity and economic growth in the regions where it is cultivated.
âDuring the training, we learnt a lot on how to choose the best seeds to produce improved seeds and how to choose the land, isolation area, and cleanliness to harvest. I was extremely interested to learn more about how to keep the seed to its purest form for replanting purposes and human or animal consumption,â said Tarig Hassan, a farmer living in El Nahal locality.
The seeds production training also aimed at maintaining seeds quality control through training and regulatory systems, and how to multiply and distribute seeds in a timely manner and at a price affordable for farmers. Farmers also learnt to use a revolving seed mechanism to make available seeds for many new seed producer farmers for the next season through farmer-to-farmer seeds distribution.
âThe seed production training is not only on how to produce quality seeds and protect loss of seeds, but also about the use of diversified seeds of sorghum, millet and ground nut that serve for both food and nutrition securityâ, said Gizaw Desta, Senior Scientist in ICRISAT.
SASASâs objective is to improve food security and access to income-generating opportunities through the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices and the promotion of agri-processing and post-harvest management. It focuses on supporting smallholder crop and livestock farmers to adapt their farming activities to climate change and abiotic pressures by diversifying their crops to further cushion themselves from climatic vagaries, reduce post-harvest loss, and improve market participation, and functionality. Women and youth are supported through training and agricultural and veterinary inputs to increase income generation activities and access to economic resources.
âAt SASAS, we strive to train farmers in basic farm seed production. This helps preserve and expand the diversity of the seed on which our food systems in Sudan rely. Considering the dire food security situation in the country, we fully encourage farmers to be engaged in seeds production to provide different and improved seed varieties,â said Abdelrahman Kheir, SASAS Chief of Party in Sudan.
SASAS works with ICRISAT to uplift smallholder farmers and ensure food security in semi-arid tropics. SASAS partners are committed to elevating crop productivity, resilience, and sustainability vital to dryland communities’ prosperity. This steadfast commitment profoundly affects millions in the world’s most challenging agricultural regions.
Wheat breeding strategies for increased climate resilience
With the challenges of climate change already affecting plant breeding, especially warmer days and warmer nights, the time to future proof the worldâs food supply is now. In order to make the best-informed changes, scientists at CIMMYT ran simulations mimicking five scenarios that might play out over the next 70+ years.
The researchers used 3,652 breeding line records from six global nurseries administered by the International Wheat Improvement Network, which is coordinated by CIMMYT, and involves hundreds of partners and testing sites worldwide. Researchers ran the data through five different climate change scenarios, ranging from stable to severe.
Along with colleagues from Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China, ICARDA, and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, CIMMYT scientists published their research in Nature Climate Change.
The results showed that less than one-third of wheat varieties adapted well to the warming the planet has already seen in the last 10 years. As temperatures increased in the simulation, researchers found a clear connection between rising temperatures and lower stability for a variety. As the global wheat-growing area becomes warmer and experiences more frequent heatwaves, breeding programs have to look beyond just yield optimization.
âStability is key for breeding programs and farmers,â said co-lead author Matthew Reynolds, CIMMYT distinguished scientist and head of wheat physiology. âKnowing that a specific variety works well in a specific environment and produces an expected amount of yield allows farmers better plan their crop futures.â
âWe performed the analysis from different perspectives, so that climate effects and appropriate adjustment suggestions for current breeding models can be considered from climate change, gene selection and/or geneâenvironment interaction perspectives,â said co-lead author Wei Xiong, CIMMYT Senior Scientist and Agricultural System Modeler.
The paradox of breeding elite lines
Local and regional breeding programs, as well as targeted breeding by CIMMYT, contribute to gene pools that overlap for many key agronomic traits, which limit genetic diversity.
âIt is an unintended consequence,â said Reynolds. âAs conventional breeding focuses on crossing the best and elite material, such focus can actually reduce genetic diversity.â
This âparadoxâ shows the need to increase genetic variability and environmental diversification in breeding programs that are developing higher-yielding climate-resilient cultivars. Breeding programs also need to target traits associated with improved adaptation to increased temperatures and tolerance to heatwaves, which requires multidisciplinary integration.
Looking to the past for answers
Over the past 10,000 years, the climate has been unusually stable, meaning modern, domesticated bread wheat has not been exposed to wide swings in temperature that are forecast for the next 100 years. Wild wheat relatives, like Triticeae, have had millions of years of experience in weathering changing climates.
CIMMYT has a pre-breeding program that examines wild wheat races and more exotic sources for climate resilience traits. When such traits are identified genetically, new breeding techniques such as gene editing can be employed and breeding models refined.
To activate these new techniques, several barriers need to be overcome, including more sharing of germplasm between countries and breeding teams, the use of faster breeding cycles where appropriate and improved understanding of genes that improve heat tolerance without a yield penalty.
With reduced climate resilience and slow cultivar development, the need to increase genetic variability for climate adaptation is urgent, particularly in developing countries, where warming rate is unprecedented, and breeding cycles tend to be longer than in developed countries.
âFaced with more climate variability, breeders need to revisit their breeding strategies to integrate genetic diversity that confers climate resilience without penalties to productivity,â said Reynolds.
