CIMMYT’s CSISA-MEA initiative, supported by USAID’s Feed the Future, is transforming the role of women in Bangladesh’s agricultural engineering sector. By providing technical training, such as sand molding and machine operation, the program has improved employment opportunities and fostered safer, more inclusive work environments for women. Success stories like Mita Khatun’s highlight the positive shift from informal to semi-formal employment, showcasing CIMMYT’s commitment to gender equity and economic empowerment in agriculture.
Anjuara Begum is 40 years old. Hailing from Jashore, Bangladesh, she works at Abdur Rahman Foundry as a grinding operator. In Bangladesh, it is rare to be a woman and work in a skilled job in engineering. Anjuaraâs journey shows it is possible to break through gender stereotypes ascribed by Bangladeshi society.
Growing up in Jashore, Anjuara was married before the age of 15. About a year after giving birth to a son, her husband died leaving her to take on the sole responsibility of raising a child. She started working as a cleaner at Talukder Light Casting. Soon, she found her interest lay in sand molding and grinding which were considered to be skilled tasks traditionally carried out by the male employees. Over time, Anjuara graduated to working as an assistant in different sections of the foundry: casting, the furnace, and operating the grinding machine. For six years, she continued as an assistant with no formal training, often learning from the machine operators and supervisors around her.
Anjuara Begum operates a grinding machine at the foundry in Jashore, Bangladesh. (Photo: Asmaul Husna/CIMMYT)
In 2019, Anjuara joined the nearby Abdur Rahman Foundry, where for the first time she attended a formal skill enhancement training for women in the light engineering sector. She was able to access this opportunity through the USAID-funded Cereal Systems Initiative for South AsiaâMechanization Extension Activity (CSISAâMEA) as Abdur Rahman Foundry is part of CSISAâMEAâs agriculture-based light engineering activity. The training provided her with hands-on experience in grinding, drilling, sand molding, and painting. It not only imparted the technical skills she needed for her current job, but also the confidence to excel in a field where women are traditionally under-represented.
âThe training was an eye-opener,â Anjuara said. âI was so happy to get a certificateâa first for me!â She shared how her confidence at work increased and about her promotion to the position of grinding machine operatorâthe first woman in the Jashore region to work in this role. There were other benefits to the new positionâa more formal position than her former place of work where she was only a temporary employee; paid holiday and sick leave; and festival bonuses. Currently, she earns around US$ 80 a monthâthe same as the men in the foundry working at a similar skill level. Before the training, her salary was around US$ 55.
Anjuara tells us that the best part about the job is the respect she gets from family and the cooperation from her co-workers. As she continued to break barriers and excel in her profession, her success began to resonate within her community. Women in the neighborhood now view her as an inspiration. She is an example of how societal norms can be challenged when provided with equal opportunities and the right kind of support. Her success has ignited a spark of hope among women who had long been relegated to the sidelines.
CSISAâMEAâs light engineering training for the female workforce as part of its gender inclusive activities has not only transformed Anjuaraâs life but has also catalyzed a shift in the perception of womenâs capabilities within Bangladeshi society.
Miriam Torres conducts field activities in eastern Honduras. (Photo: Mirian Torres)
In the eastern region of Honduras, Mirian Lizeth Torres, an agroindustrial engineer who graduated from the National Autonomous University of Honduras, is making a difference. Her commitment to agricultural sustainability and the empowerment of local communities through sustainable agriculture is evident in her work with the Eastern Regional Farmers Association (ARSAGRO, for its acronym in Spanish) and with her participation in the InnovaHub Oriente, set within the framework of the AgriLAC Resiliente initiative.
âIn 2023, I volunteered at ARSAGRO, addressing crucial issues with producers, from events and extension to projects with CIAT that focused on the assessment of plots, water, soil, forest, pests and diseases, bean nutrition, grain quality, among others,â said Mirian, highlighting the breadth of her experience.
Her participation in the InnovaHub Oriente has been key to integrating theory and practice in the field. âI am a student of the conservation agriculture course, where I have explored agronomic practices that improve the sustainability of crops, creating more resilient systems,â she highlights. âThese practices are shared with producers through innovation modules, which are plots where conservation agriculture innovations are implemented and compared, side by side, with conventional methods.â
Mirian knows the importance of communicating this knowledge to communities. âAt events held on these plots, we shared practices and knowledge, reaching producers who were not familiar with these technologies,â she explains. âThanks to AgriLAC, in 2023 we contributed significantly to the empowerment of producers and organized groups in eastern Honduras.â
Additionally, Mirian is proud of her role as an inspiration for the inclusion of youth and women in agriculture. âAt every event we organize, we see increasing participation of young people and women,â she states. âThe empowerment of women in agricultural activities has been notable, with many resuming activities in the field through the transfer of knowledge.â
Looking to the future, Mirian hopes to further encourage youth participation. âMy invitation to young people is not to abandon the field; it is that they get involved in agricultural issues to contribute to the livelihood of their families and, at the same time, reduce migration,â she states with determination.
In a world where sustainable agriculture is essential, Mirian Lizeth Torres has assumed solid leadership from the field, helping her community move towards a more sustainable and equitable agricultural future.
Looking to the future, Mirian hopes to further encourage youth participation. âMy invitation to young people is not to abandon the field, but rather that they get involved in agricultural issues to contribute to the livelihood of their families and, at the same time, reduce migration,â she states with determination.
In the heart of Itumbula village in the Songwe district of Tanzania lives Venansia Swale, a farmer, mother, and community champion, who is turning the tide against food insecurity through the power of quality seeds. Swale has taken on the role of promoting improved seed in her community after experiencing firsthand the benefits of growing sorghum on her own farm with different seed.
“As a mother of five children, my biggest challenge is food shortage, and sorghum is our staple food,â said Swale. “Normally, I would harvest 450 kg from my three-acre farm, which isn’t enough for my family’s needs and leaves little surplus for selling. However, using quality seed this season, I harvested 990 kg. I’ve seen the benefitsânot only can I feed my children for a year, but I can also earn income from the surplus.”
Swale positively impacts her villageâs crop yields by championing delivery of quality seed. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Swale’s efforts began to extend beyond her own farm as she championed demand creation and consolidation in her village of Itumbula. She successfully created a demand of 574 kg, becoming her community’s sole distributor of quality sorghum seed. In the 2022-2023 season, she facilitated the supply of 134 kg of quality sorghum seed and 50 kg of quality maize seed.
So far, she has reached 300 farmers in partnership with CIMMYT and the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), sparking a transformative movement. One local farmer said, “As a community, we have come together to embrace quality seed, and Venansia has been at the forefront of this movement. Her dedication has significantly impacted food security.”
Despite being pregnant during the 2022 “Kizazi cha Mabadiliko” (the generation that will bring change) campaign, Swale remained unwavering in her determination and passion. She exemplifies the success of the Social and Behaviour Change interventions implemented by the Centre for Behaviour Change and Communication (CBCC).
The “Kizazi Cha Mabadiliko” campaign was developed and launched by CBCC in the Mbozi and Momba districts of Tanzania, aiming to increase awareness of the benefits of improved seeds. It was also designed to challenge negative perceptions and enhance motivation for participating in agricultural activities. The campaign underscores the importance of using improved seeds as a foundational element for a prosperous future in agriculture. The strategic design of the campaign ensures the efficient distribution of behavior change tools and materials, further demonstrating its impact through Swale’s inspiring example.
Sprouting new opportunities
Swale stands with some of her fellow choir members during the establishment of a demo plot at Itumbula. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Despite her impressive achievements, Swale remains forward-thinking. The village extension officer notes that while farmers have adopted improved seeds, poor farming practices persist, impacting yields. Inspired and invigorated, Swale plans to revolutionize her farming practices in the upcoming season, aiming for an even more significant impact.
Besides her role as a community champion, Swale is a member of the Sifa choir in her church. Leveraging her influence, she convinced nine fellow choir members to join the intervention, where they established and managed sorghum demonstration plots in their locality. The performance of quality seed inspired the choir to enlist as seed producers, and they secured two acres of land for seed production in the 2023- 2024 season.
Venansia’s vision goes beyond her own farm; she plans to produce seeds as part of the choir group and individually, allocating an acre for seed production and two acres for grain production. Hers is a story of personal triumph, showing the impact one person can have on an entire village, and a testament to the transformative power of community-led initiatives.
“The seeds we plant today will grow into a better tomorrow for all of us,” asserts Swale.
Juliana Moises tends her soybean plot. (Photo: CIMMYT)
From the rich plateau landscapes of Angonia district in the Tete province of Mozambique emerges a tale of determination and hard work. Juliana Nicolau Moises, a mother of four, has been a devoted soybean farmer for more than a decade, tending to a crop whose pods carry the potential for value-added products, including milk and porridge for her children. But one wonders, what motivates smallholder farmers like Juliana to invest their efforts in soybean production.
âI have never looked back on producing soybeans,â reflects Moises. âThis legume crop has allowed me to feed my family and meet my household needs, let alone the cash income from sales of the surplus crop. It has taken a lot of hard work and resilience to navigate through the complexities of soybean production.â
Entering her second season of implementing the Chinyanja Soy Use Case trials with CGIAR’s Initiative on Excellence in Agronomy, delivered in partnership with CIMMYT and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Moises eagerly anticipates a bumper harvest in the early planted fields. She has been avidly implementing trials on planting dates to establish the implications of early, mid, and late planting on soybean yield. Let alone the required attention to detail, she exudes a deep understanding of the significance of the trials by carrying out key agronomic practices to ensure a good harvest. This will not only nourish the health and wellbeing of her family but also symbolizes the fruits of her dedication.
Moisesâs commitment extends beyond the trial she hosts as she implements her learning from the project to other fields, using innovative approaches like the double-row planting method. In soybean farming, this involves planting two rows of seeds on a wider ridge established on the traditional spacing that farmers use on maize. Traditionally, farmers in Angonia have been planting single rows of soybean on ridges spaced at 90 cm used for maize, thereby resulting in low soy plant populations and ultimately low yields. This different technique optimizes the plant population and land use efficiency, improving yields, and facilitating easier weeding.
Moisesâs soybean plot in Angonia, Mozambique. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Despite the promise of enhanced production, challenges persist. Southern Africa continues to face a growing demand for soybeans, with annual productivity of 861,000 metric tons (mT) falling short of the 2-million-ton demand. In Mozambique, vibrant soybean farms blanket the landscape, yet smallholder farmers like Moises grapple with underdeveloped markets and climate-related adversities, such as droughts and floods currently worsened by the El Niño phenomenon.
âAs a devoted soybean farmer, I have met my own fair share of challenges. One of our biggest challenges is the labor requirement across the production season,â shared Moises as she navigates through her fields. âWe need machinery for planting, weeding, and harvesting in order to reduce the labor and drudgery associated with soybean production. In addition, markets remain a challenge.” Her unwavering commitment inspires neighboring farmers, creating a ripple effect of hope and determination in the community.
Sharing the same sentiments is Veronica Ernesto Gama, who teams up with her husband every year to tend to her soybean field. Having started in 2007, their yields have sustained the food basket of her family while meeting nutritional needs. âIn the past, I used to just scatter around soybean seeds in one place, but after these trials, I have learned the significance of applying the agronomically recommended spacing and the need for quality improved seeds to ensure a bumper harvest,â said Gama.
The power of collaboration
Addressing these challenges head-on is CGIARâs Excellence in Agronomy Chinyanja Triangle Soy Use Case, a collaborative effort aimed at strengthening the soybean industry primarily by empowering farmers with improved agronomic practices and decision support. Solidaridad, an international non-government organization (NGO) pursuing digital platforms for scaling agronomy, serves as the demand partner of the Excellence in Agronomy Chinyanja Triangle Soy Use Case, while CGIAR provides technical support. Solidaridadâs role is vital in catalyzing demand for the product or service in question. Research outputs drawn from the trials will be used to develop a mobile phone application on the Kvuno, a social enterprise borne out of Solidaridad. The platform will support farmers with onsite advisories on planting dates, site-specific fertilizer recommendations, variety selection, and crop configurations.
To date, the initiative has drawn the willingness of 70 farmers in the Angonia district of Tete province, who are implementing different suites of trials, including nutrient omission, planting date, plant configuration, and fertilizer usage. Excellence in Agronomy has come at an opportune time for smallholdersâ journeys in soybean production, emphasizing the importance of optimized spacing and improved agronomic practices.
As the story unfolds in Mozambique, women like Moises and Gama are the unsung heroes driving soybean production. Their dedication, coupled with initiatives like Excellence in Agronomy, paint a picture of progress and potential. Their commitment inspires many surrounding farmers who draw inspiration on the trials in their fields. As the sun continues to rise over the dusty soils of Angonia, it showcases not just Moisesâs fields, but the bright future of soybean production in the hands of resilient women farmers.
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Alison Laing is the CIMMYT lead for CSISA India, and leads bilateral and Initiative-funded projects in South and Southeast Asia. She works with farmers and researchers in South and Southeast Asia to sustainably improve cropping and farming system productivity, profitability and resilience.
Alison firmly believes in participatory, multi-disciplinary research and in combining practical field-trial based research with robust modelling to examine likely long-term outcomes of different management approaches.
CIMMYTâs women in science are shaping the future of agriculture. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Much has changed since many CIMMYT scientists attended university. In the past decades, the STEM field was predominantly male, with far less representation from marginalized groups and communities. Challenged by societal prejudices, only a handful of young women pursued STEM subjects, which further influenced career choices made by them, reinforcing the gender gap.
The gender gap in STEM is still significant, but times are changing. âAt CIMMYT, we are deeply committed to promoting the voice of youth, marginalized communities, and women to improve the rigor of science for sustainable development. This includes investment in mentorship, learning from champions and pioneers, and appropriate performance assessment guidelines,â said Program Director of CIMMYT’s Sustainable Agrifood Systems, Sieglinde Snapp. âIt is a long journey with bumps along the way, but I am proud to be in solidarity with the Global South, where we champion gender and social inclusion every day.â
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024, five CIMMYT scientists who inspire, support, and open doors for many young women and underrepresented groups with their scientific work and pay-it-forward commitment share their motivation behind charting a career in STEM and encourage more young women and make the field more inclusive.
Beyhan Akin, winter wheat breeding leadÂ
Beyhan Akin stands with wheat plants. (Photo: Beyhan Akin)
Hailing from a farming family, Beyhan Akin was always surrounded by the beauty and potential of agriculture. She wished to contribute to her farming community, so 35 years ago, she joined CIMMYTâs wheat research program. Akin reminisced about her early days, how there were few women scientists, and the realization that if she succeeded, she could motivate more to follow in her footsteps.
“Agriculture science is expanding beyond core crop science with huge potential for interdisciplinary research and innovation. I hope young women students and scientists get the opportunity to pursue and excel in these fields. Increased advocacy and investmentâgrants, fellowshipsâat an institutional level is crucial to motivating and supporting the aspirations of women in science,â said Akin. âIt might have taken a long time for women scientists like us to be in positions of influence, but I hope we can ensure the path is far less challenging today for these young women pursuing agriculture science/STEM.â
Alison Laing, agroecology specialist
Alison Laing stands with women farmers. (Photo: Alison Laing)
“Search out mentors. Donât be afraid to either ask for help when you need it or to promote your achievements. And build networks,â advises Alison Laing to young women scientists starting in the field. Based in Bangladesh and working across South and Southeast Asia for over 15 years, Laing hopes that girls have opportunities to choose science education and become women with rewarding careers in fields that interest them, especially in non-traditional STEM disciplines.
Laing remembers how her mentor early in her career, the late John Schiller, a rice agronomist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), encouraged her enthusiasm for learning and research. âHe taught me so much about doing research in Southeast Asia, and I am indebted to him for his motivation and support in showing me how rewarding and interesting a scientific career can be.â She hopes other young students and scientists will have such mentors in their lives.
Sabina Tiwari, assistant research associateÂ
Sabina Tiwari speaks at a NSAF planning meeting. (Photo: Sabina Tiwari)
Fascinated by nature, plants, and how they thrive in diverse environments, Sabina Tiwariâs journey in science led her to become a plant breeder. âThe indefinite potential of agriculture to improve lives made me realize how powerful agricultural science can be. This led to the motivation that I could create a positive difference in the world by being part of crop science and technology while working alongside great scientific minds, both men and women. Today, to young girls aspiring to make a difference in the world, I recommend they empower their cause through science and innovations.”
According to Tiwari, mentorship programs, internships, and job-shadowing experiences that helped her career must be extended to young women to gain practical exposure and knowledge of the possibilities in agriculture science.
Mazvita Chiduwa, associate scientist Â
Mazvita Chiduwa speaks with a farmer. (Photo: Mazvita Chiduwa)
For Mazvita Chiduwa, a career in agriculture science has been rewarding. âI love the adventure involved in discovery in agriculture. I am inquisitive, and this career allows me to ask questions and seek answers,â said Mazvita.
Chiduwa believes society needs to embrace the participation of women and girls in STEM education and careers and that stereotypes about women not being cut out for STEM, prevalent even today, must be done away with.
To young girls and women aspiring for a career in STEM, Chiduwa says, âGo for it. There is a need for your uniqueness to contribute a wholesome solution to our worldâs challenges.â
Luisa Cabrera Soto, research associate Â
Luisa Cabrera conducts an analysis at a CIMMYT laboratory. (Photo: CIMMYT)
“A feminine perspective and approach are needed to enrich research,â reminds Luisa Cabrera Soto. âIn a society where almost half of the members are female, I hope equity and inclusion will help improve under-representation in STEM.â
According to Cabrera, it is essential that women in science continue to challenge the gender prejudices and stereotypes that still exist. âDon’t let the spark of your curiosity go out. As a food science professional, I can say that there are still discoveries to be made and, through it, the probability of finding innovative solutions to global challenges such as food security.â
SAS Program Director Sieg Snapp and GESI researchers gather in New Delhi from across CIMMYT – Asia, Africa, and Latin America. (Photo: Adeeth Cariappa/CIMMYT)
“As we look towards 2030, CIMMYT is focused on building inclusive value chains, advancing mechanization, and confronting seed system challenges. We are championing demand-driven technologies and improved agricultural needs,â said Sieglinde Snapp, program director of CIMMYTâs Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) program, highlighting during the discussions the importance of integrating gender perspectives in research. “We are committed to integrating gender perspectives in all these initiatives, recognizing the vital role of women in agriculture and ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all genders,” she added.
Farah Deba Keya presents her study analyzing constraints for women farmersâ active participation in mixed farming systems in Bangladesh. (Photo: CIMMYT)
The one-day meeting on October 13, 2023, in New Delhi, India, hosted under CIMMYTâs SAS program, brought together diverse groups of participantsâtotaling over ten senior gender researchers working in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, namely Sieg Snapp, Vijesh Krishna, Moti Jaleta, Michael Euler, Angela Meentzen, Monica Fisherâalong with a cadre of junior and senior researchers and students collaborating with CIMMYT on gender research. The coming together of these GESI researchers provided a valuable opportunity for collaboration, sharing insights, and strategizing enhanced gender and socially inclusive research-for-development approaches within CIMMYT’s programs.
Monica Fisher, a senior researcher working in Africa, emphasized CIMMYT’s dedication to making gender equality and social inclusion more visible and relevant in agriculture globally. She said, âThe significance of GESI research, particularly in bridging the gap between the Global South and the Global North, cannot be overstated. Our objective is to deepen our engagement in these areas.”
The day-long meeting covered various topics, including the dynamics of technology adoption, gender roles in agriculture, and the feminization of Indian agriculture. Discussions underscored the need for increased financial support for GESI research, the importance of addressing disparities in research focus, and the crucial role of intersectionality in agricultural contexts.
A notable segment of the meeting was dedicated to presentations by students on their ongoing research in gender-related topics. These young researchers brought fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, highlighting the evolving nature of gender roles in agriculture and the impact of technology on gender dynamics in various regions. Their contributions underscored the importance of fostering a new generation of researchers committed to gender equity and social inclusion in agricultural development. Hari Krishnan K. S., a student working with CIMMYT opined, “My study, supervised by CIMMYT’s gender researchers, revealed that the concept of masculinities transcends gender, focusing instead on effective farming practices. It highlighted the diverse influences on agricultural decision-making and the varied reactions to technology adoption in Punjab’s agriculture. This reflects the critical role of CIMMYT’s gender-focused research in shaping my approach and understanding as a student in this field.”
Contributing his perspective, Vijesh Krishna, lead researcher working in India, highlighted the need for innovation in research approach. According to him, “To revolutionize GESI research, a shift towards longitudinal data analysis and cross-country data utilization is needed. Building evidence and documenting changes in gender dynamics due to policy and social transformations are essential.â He further encouraged the fostering of in-house capacities to mainstream gender considerations across disciplines, enhancing collaboration, and developing skills for the effective communication of research findings to stakeholders.
Snapp believes that the meeting was not just a gathering of minds but a milestone in CIMMYT’s ongoing journey towards agrifood systems development. âIt reaffirms the organization’s commitment to impactful research that acknowledges and addresses the nuances of gender and social dynamics in agriculture, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future in the sector.â
Sieglinde Snapp explains initiatives to support urgent and relevant GESI research and efforts within CIMMYTâs programs (Photo: CIMMYT)
As the meeting concluded, Snapp spoke of the resolve to make GESI efforts urgent and relevant. She proposed three initiatives: firstly, renaming the SAS gender team the “Paula Kantor Gender and Development Centre” to reflect a broader scope and purpose; secondly, establishing a mentorship program to offer career guidance, networking opportunities, and professional development support; and finally, the introduction of a prestigious “Research Excellence in the Field” award in Paula Kantorâs honor.
âThese initiatives aim to enhance the impact and recognition of the organization’s gender-focused efforts, promote professional growth, and honor excellence in the field, embodying CIMMYTâs commitment to gender-focused efforts,â she explained.
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Marcelo is an experienced graphic designer with over 20 years of graphic design experience for CIMMYT headquarters in Mexico. His main responsibilities include branding development, branding, design, and production of corporate reports and project reports. Developing designs for scientific articles, papers, abstracts, and serving as a liaison with the various vendors that provide a service for communications.
When it comes time to consider career plans, very few young people even consider agriculture as an option. Many young people believe urban areas offer more profitable jobs with less physical labor. However, agriculture in India is evolving every single day. New digital innovations and cutting-edge technologies are making farming more profitable and smarter.
In the four-day conference, gender researchers and practitioners from 68 countries shared their perspectives, knowledge and skills about improving gender inclusion in food systems. The conference served as a platform where policymakers, practitioners and private sector actors came together to share the goal of equitable food-systems transformation. They aimed to bridge the gap between research and practice and foster gender-equal and socially inclusive, resilient food systems.
Technology and combined efforts from academia, industry and the government will continue to play critical roles in collectively attracting young people toward these new, innovative ideas in agriculture. Agricultural education can, therefore, play a profound role in shaping the future of sustainable agriculture in India.
S. Pandey, vice-chancellor of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar, shared his thoughts on addressing youth-centric issues in agriculture. He emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly vital because of its many applications and benefits and that it can help youth to use the power of big data and the internet.
âUse of AI can change the entire scenario: technology-driven agriculture is the need of the hour. New tools and techniques are important to address the current challenges where youth can be at center stage,â he said.
In addition, Geethalakshmi Vellingiri, vice-chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) said, âAgriculture is looked at as manual, hard work, and not as a lucrative job, which makes it unattractive to youth. TNAU is starting One Student One Farm Family linkage for the first-year students. In this model, students will get to know about the issues being faced by the farmers in the field. They will then link the farmer to the scientist for probable solutions, thus bridging the gap.â
Governmentâs role in shaping policy
âStudents are unaware of the different dimensions of agriculture; hence, their inclination towards agriculture education is not much,â said R. C. Agrawal, deputy director general of the Agricultural Education Division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and moderator of the youth careers session. âICAR is designing a new agriculture-based curriculum for primary, middle and secondary levels to attract more youth. ICAR has initiated its efforts towards integrating the agriculture world with this new education policy.â
Industry opening doors for youth in agriculture
Ch. Srinivasa Rao, director of ICARâs National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad, spoke about the importance of industry. âThe youth, both men and women, should be sensitized towards the agrifood sector. Start-ups can help to attract youthsâ attention. We should characterize farms as an industry, farming as a business and the farmer as a businessperson. If this orientation doesnât occur, livelihoods cannot be improved, and youth retention in agriculture wonât be achieved.â
East and Southern Africa is a climate hotspot, with more than US$45 billion in agricultural production at risk from higher temperatures, shorter growing seasons and more extreme droughts and floods. Maize, a staple crop covering up to 75% of cropland in parts of the region, is particularly vulnerable and is projected to face yield declines of 15%, among other climate impacts if no adaptation measures are taken. Many of the affected areas already have serious levels of hunger and malnutrition, with the highest burden experienced by women and youth from marginalized and vulnerable communities. If these systems are sustainably diversified, they can contribute to stabilizing regional and global agrifood systems.
The next decade will be critical for strengthening food, land and water systems in East and Southern Africa. The agribusiness ecosystem for both regions has been identified as a critical engine for agricultural and economic development, climate change adaptation and gender and youth empowerment. Investment in innovation, capabilities and supportive environments will be essential for driving sustainable growth.
Objective
This Initiative aims to support climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods in 12 countries in East and Southern Africa by helping millions of smallholders intensify, diversify and reduce the risks in maize-based farming through improved extension services, small and medium enterprise development, supporting governance frameworks and increased investment with a gender and social inclusion lens.
Activities
This objective will be achieved through:
Diversifying and sustainably intensifying production by assessing needs and options for the introduction of crops, livestock, mechanization and irrigation, applying innovations in value chains and building capacity while scaling to larger farming communities.
Reducing risk and digitalizing value chains by co-designing and delivering âInnovation Packageâ bundles of digital agro-advisory systems and research management products â including mobile apps, TV programs and social media â to build resilience and improve productivity.
Supporting and accelerating value chain business enablers in maize mixed systems by using CGIARâs expertise and partner network to unlock access to funding, investment and tailored technical assistance.
Promoting the governing and enabling of multifunctional landscapes for sustainable diversification and intensification with a focus on strengthening the evidence base for decision-makers.
Empowering and engaging women and youth in agribusiness ecosystems by mapping challenges and opportunities to address gender and social inequality and applying inclusive and coordinated interventions for transformative change.
Scaling innovations and coordinating CGIAR and partner activities in the region through a scaling hub that uses the âscaling readinessâ approach to inform, activate and bring to scale innovations that respond to regional or country demand.
In the vast landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture is the backbone of many communities, the quest for improved maize varieties is a vital step for ensuring food security in the face of climate change. Women, who represent approximately half the clients of maize breeding programs, have been essential in the realm of agricultural research. While significant gender-based differences in trait preferences exist in many African-staple crops, these appear less drastic in maize. However, there are gendered differences in management practices and productivity in maize-based systems.
After decades of work on maize improvement projects, CIMMYT has made a bigger commitment to researching, supporting and delivering drought and heat tolerant maize to smallholders in Zimbabwe. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Recognizing the need to bridge this gap, the CIMMYT-NARES (National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems) regional maize breeding networks in eastern and southern Africa have embarked on a transformative journey to empower farmers, especially women, through their innovative approach to maize breeding. The breeding networks are focused on ensuring smallholder farmers have access to a steady stream of climate-resilient and nutritionally enriched maize varieties that thrive in todayâs stress-prone environments. To ensure these new maize varieties meet the needs of diverse users, including women, the breeding networks continue to adapt approaches to increase gender-responsiveness.
Linking science with the realities on the ground
Testing the performance of potential new maize hybrids coming from the breeding pipelines within farmersâ realities is critical to the ultimate success of these new varieties. In collaboration with over 400 farmers in southern Africa, the CIMMYT-NARES maize breeding network conducts extensive on-farm trials to evaluate the performance of these new maize varieties. A similar approach is adopted in eastern Africa. What sets these trials apart is the fact that over 40% of these trials are led by female plot managers. Farmers evaluate these varieties within the context of their own realities, including their own management practices, and provide valuable feedback to the breeding teams on the potential of new varieties.
By involving women in decision-making processes, CIMMYT-NARES networks ensure that their preferences and needs are considered when selecting the most promising hybrids for product advancement, announcement to partners, varietal releases and ultimately commercialization. This inclusive approach not only empowers women but also harnesses the collective knowledge and experience of the farming community. CIMMYTâs research recently showed that there is a relatively high degree of joint management within maize plots, and since 2022, the on-farm trials included a target of approximately 30% jointly managed plots.
Gender is only one axis of social difference that impacts agricultural production, variety selection, and end uses. Social differences including marital status, age, education level, ethnicity, wealth, access to capital, market access and livelihood orientation do play a role in the adoption of new varieties and farm productivity. By embracing the diversity within farming communities, CIMMYT-NARES networks are actively working towards understanding different farm types, while ensuring that the improved maize varieties are tailored to meet the diverse demands of the regions.
As the CIMMYT-NARES maize breeding networks continue to make innovative strides in breeding climate-resilient and nutritionally enriched maize varieties, they are not only transforming agriculture but also empowering individuals and communities. Through collaborative efforts, with the woman farmer at the heart of the approach, they are paving the way for a future where farming communities can thrive and contribute to food and nutritional security.
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Moben Ignatius is the Agriculture Research Associate in the SAS program at CIMMYT. His role revolves around fostering sustainable agricultural practices and innovative technologies and methods that cater to Rice-Wheat cropping systems.
His previous work role extended to forging alliances with diverse organizations and governmental bodies to advocate for the expansion of these beneficial agricultural techniques. Employing meticulous monitoring, evaluation, and data-driven surveys, ensuring the successful execution and scalability of projects.
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Deepak is a consultant in the Sustainable Agrifood Systems program at CIMMYT. His area of expertise encompasses conservation agriculture, mechanization, precision agriculture, resource management and systems research.
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Ajay Kumar is Senior Research Associate of CIMMYTâs Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) project in India. Ajay Kumar has been actively engaged in planning, coordinating CSISA activities of eastern UP hub.
