CIMMYT training courses play a critical role in helping international researchers meet national food security and resource conservation goals. By sharing knowledge to build communities of agricultural knowledge in less developed countries, CIMMYT empowers researchers to aid farmers. In turn, these farmers help ensure sustainable food security. In contrast to formal academic training in plant breeding and agronomy, CIMMYT training activities are hands-on and highly specialized. Trainees from Africa, Asia and Latin America benefit from the data assembled and handled in a global research program. Alumni of CIMMYT courses often become a significant force for agricultural change in their countries.
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.
Participants from the Kenya PDT meeting held in Nairobi. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Product design teams (PDTs) are a CGIAR Accelerated Breeding Initiative innovation created to address the aforementioned challenges under the CGIAR-NARES partnership through coordinating SPMS and related TPPs. Each seed product market segment, which in the case of CGIAR is defined at sub-regional level, represents a unique set of requirements. Attached to the segment is a TPP which describes the ideal product to meet the requirements. Taken together, the framework provides a starting point for discussions by breeding teams on investment opportunities.
Discussions on market segments and TPPs need to develop over time as new insights are gained. Some requirements might be overlooked, and others may be emerging due to client requirements and changes in the context. There is a need for a greater understanding of the evolving requirements of the seed companies, farmers, processors, and consumers in the market segments that CGIAR serves. It must be recognized that not all requirements of farmers or consumers are amenable to breeding or efficient to incorporate in breeding pipelines â for example, some post-harvest losses or weed management can be best addressed by appropriate storage mechanisms and improved agronomic practices, respectively.
Product design teams (PDTs) were created to address the aforementioned challenges under the CGIAR-NARES partnership by and coordinating SPMS and related TPPs. A PDT is a group of crop breeding and seed systems stakeholders for a particular crop, who work together to design or redefine TPPs. PDTs have been envisioned to be cross-functional teams that meet annually with the following aims:
Review the market segments at subregional and national levels, addressing critical questions, such as:
Do the subregional segments capture country-level requirements?
What is the opportunity for impact from breeding investments across market segments?
Are there important market segments that have not been captured?
What are the potential future segments that the team needs to consider?
Review and update TPPs for each segment, addressing questions such as:
Are any important traits missing?
Are country-specific trait values factored?
Are country-specific market-dominant varieties included in the market segment?
Discuss the needs for market intelligence for the PDT:
Unknowns regarding client requirements.
Gaps regarding product design parameters.
Director of the Global Maize program at CIMMYT, B.M. Prasanna, said, âPDT meetings serve as an important platform to understand the perspectives of diverse and relevant stakeholders. These discussions enable us to reach a common understanding of the current market requirements and redefine TPPs to reflect needs across value streams through co-creation and shared responsibility.â
The impact of PDTs
Pieter Rutsaert, seed systems specialist at CIMMYT and the CGIAR Market Intelligence Initiative, participated in several PDTs on maize and other crops, such as groundnut. âPDTs are a useful format to understand the unknowns in terms of farmer, processor, and consumer requirements and generate questions that guide future work in market intelligence,â said Rutsaert.
Product Design Team (PDT) meetings bring together breeding and seed systems stakeholders to improve understanding of country and regional needs for a specific crop. (Photo: CIMMYT)
“PDTs will help in routine review of the product requirement for a specific country and will help to remove breeder bias and ensure that all stakeholdersâ views are heard and consideredâ, said Aparna Das, technical program manager for the Global Maize program at CIMMYT.
The main requirements for constituting PDTs for a specific country are:
A multidisciplinary team with 7 to 15 members, ensuring diversity of experience and providing reasonable time for decision-making.
Must consist of a range of stakeholders, such as: breeders from NARES (often the PDT convener/lead) and CGIAR; representatives of farmersâ groups, seed companies, and food processors; gender specialists; and market intelligence specialists.
30% of members should be female.
Should include a member from another crop breeding network, to bring a different perspective.
Bish Das, NARS coordinator, Dragan Milic, breeding specialist, and Lennin Musundire, breeding optimization specialist, from the CGIAR Accelerated Breeding Initiative team said, âUltimately, the client-led approach to priority setting that CIMMYTâs Global Maize program is implementing in southern and eastern Africa ensures strong alignment with partnersâ priorities and client requirements and better targeting of CGIAR regional maize breeding efforts.â
Case study: maize seed systems
CIMMYTâs Global Maize program has refined variety development to meet market needs across the value chain including farmers, processors, and consumers, thus enhancing variety adoption, which is the end goal of breeding pipelines. This has been implemented through the regional CGIAR-NARES-SMEs collaborative breeding networks and having âa bottom-upâ approach towards developing market segments and TPPs. This refers to building an understanding of end-users’ needs through inclusive in-country and regional stakeholder PDT meetings. PDTs also ensure that there are CGIAR-NARES-SME defined roles: a national mandate for NARES partners focusing on niche markets, the consolidated national mandate for CGIAR/NARES/SMEs, and a regional mandate for CGIAR Research Centers like CIMMYT.
In 2023, maize PDT teams were established and held meetings for five countries in eastern and southern Africa: Zambia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. These meetings brought together stakeholders from different fields who play an important role in product development and seed systems (national partners and seed companies), varietal release (representatives from regulatory agencies) and end-product users (for example, millers).
The advantages of TDPs are emphasized by Godfrey Asea, director of Research and Daniel Bomet Kwemoi, maize breeder at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in Uganda. They highlighted that the NARO maize program has now begun a systematic journey toward modernizing its breeding program. The PDT team validated the countryâs market segments and aligned five product profiles with two major target production environments (TPEs), with the mid-altitude regions taking 85% of the maize seed market and the highlands accounting for 15%. âThese TPPs will be reviewed annually by the PDT since market segments tend to be dynamic. The breeding program has reclassified and aligned breeding the germplasm to TPPs, which will guide effective resource allocation based on the market shares,â said Asea.
Feedback on PDT meetings so far suggests positive experiences from stakeholders. Wendy Madzura, head of agronomy at SeedCo in Zimbabwe, said, âThe unique PDT meeting held at CIMMYT in Zimbabwe provided a conducive environment for public and private stakeholders to have meaningful and honest discussions on the current market segments and TPPs.â Plans for continuous improvement are embedded in the PDT model. âAs a follow-up to the PDT meeting, there is a need for further involvement of various stakeholders at the village, ward, and district levels to enable deeper insights and reach because the client needs are constantly changing,â said Madzura.
Farmers are guided on how to use Atubandike and VIAMO. (Photo: CIMMYT)
It is challenging to disseminate information across far-flung areas of rural Zambia as extension officers must travel vast distances to reach farmers. The Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) MasAgro Africa Rapid Delivery Hub, managed by CIMMYT and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) helps alleviate these issues by engaging with existing mobile phone networks to reach farmers with agronomic information, weather data, and soil information.
To introduce farmers to these specific tools: Atubandike and VIAMO, AID-I conducted a community sensitization and engagement exercise in Zambia. Atubandike emphasizes farmer learning and feedback using mobile phones for disseminating knowledge about the new generation of drought-tolerant varieties, sustainable intensification practices, and collecting farmer feedback to enable demand-driven delivery under AID-I. VIAMO, accessible via a basic mobile phone, provides agronomic information for every farmer in a specific area. The platform comes in different languages and farmers access information on various crops such as maize, beans, and groundnuts in their native language, provide feedback on information content, and connect with other farmers.
An AID-staff facilitates a training session. (Photo: Nancy Malama/CIMMYT)
In Choma District, Morgan Katema, who provides extension services to farmers, explained that going digital is one way of reaching farmers through technology to ensure that all farmers have access to extension services. âIn this case, lessons will be available through mobile phones and farmers will ask agriculture-related questions and get a response. This is a good initiative because farmers can access information on the spot instead of waiting for an extension officer to reach them, and information can be accessed after working hours, and the VIAMO initiative will help us overcome the challenge of long distances between farmers as we will no longer need to travel long distances,â Katema said.
Judith Simuliye, a farmer who grows maize and groundnuts, said, âI was told about this meeting by the camp officer, and I am happy to learn about this project. I have learned how to manage my crop by using the right seed varieties and how to space the crops.â
During the meeting, two community facilitators were selected through a voting process, after farmers nominated community members who are literate, trustworthy, energetic, and able to use a smart phone. Facilitators register farmers on the VIAMO platform, assist them in accessing the information they require, and support them in their learning journey.
Namasumo Rithay, a farmer in the village of Kalalasa, said, âMobile phone access to extension services has come at the right time. We have faced a lot of challenges with the poor rain patterns and pests. Through this meeting organized by AID-I, we have learned how we can obtain information to mitigate these challenges through our mobile phones.â
A participant casts her vote. (Photo: Nancy Malama/CIMMYT)
An additional community meeting was held in the village of Namuswa and was attended by 150 farmers. AID-I and Atubandike Research Associate, Brian Mpande, informed farmers that AID-I, with the assistance from VIAMO, will help them overcome the challenges of climate change by delivering timely and useful information via their phones.Â
CIMMYT advances agricultural mechanization to boost smallholder farming, targeting efficiency and inclusivity. Addressing challenges like financial access and market collaboration, it fosters mechanization scaling through initiatives like MasAgro in Mexico, MasAgro Africa and tools like Scaling Scan. This approach aims to rejuvenate agriculture for youth, under the guidance of director general Bram Govaerts, ensuring sustainable and globally inclusive agricultural systems.
A practical demonstration at Jabalpur. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Agriculture feeds the world. Yet traditional cycles of ploughing, planting, and harvesting crop and biomass products is inefficient of labor and other scarce resources and depletes soil health while emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
One effort to ameliorate the negative effects of farming is a set of practices referred to as conservation agriculture (CA), based on the principles of minimal mechanical soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with plant material, and crop diversification.
To deliver advanced, high-level instruction on current innovative science around important aspects of cropping and farming system management to scientists from India, Bangladesh, Egypt, and Morocco, the 12th Advanced Conservation Agriculture Course hosted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), CIMMYT, and the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) took place in India from December 10 to 24, 2023.
SK Chaudhari, deputy director general for Natural Resource Management, ICAR; HS Jat, director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Institute of Maize Research (ICAR-IIMR); Arun Joshi, country representative for India and BISA managing director, CIMMYT-India; Mahesh K. Gathala, senior systems agronomist and science lead, CIMMYT-Bangladesh; and Alison Laing, agroecologist, CIMMYT-Bangladesh, all attended the opening ceremony at the National Agricultural Science Complex in New Delhi, India.
This CA course integrated scientific advancements and multidisciplinary techniques to sustainably develop agricultural systems, restore natural resources, and improve climate resilience in agriculture throughout Asia and North Africa. It was held at leading research centers throughout India.
SK Chaudhari welcomed delegates to the course and stressed its practical character and efficacy in promoting CA management innovations, as evidenced by the significant achievements and international reputations of many former attendees and resource personnel.
âAs climatic variability and change increase, the need to manage agronomic risks grows, and CA is an effective tool for farmers and scientists in both irrigated and rainfed systems,â said Chaudhari.
Twenty rising scientists from such fields as agronomy, soil science, plant protection, agricultural engineering, plant breeding, and extension, took part in the workshop where they gained a better understanding of all aspects of conservation agricultural methods in rainfed and irrigated ecosystems, as well as exposure to wide networks with prominent international scientists. Organizers prioritized the inclusion of female scientists, who made up 40% of attendees.
The workshop empowered participants to act as conservation agriculture ambassadors and champions of modern, novel agronomic methods when they return to their home institutions.
Rajbir Singh, ICAR assistant director general for Natural Resource Management, and ML Jat, global research program director of Resilient Farm and Food Systems, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) provided keynote addresses at the closing ceremony, held at the ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute in Karnal, Haryana, India.
CIMMYT-BISA-ICAR organized a two-week training program on conservation agriculture (CA) to demonstrate how CA can be a sustainable farming method and an effective tool for farmers and scientists in both irrigated and rainfed systems to manage agrifood system risks.
Participants engage in various activities during the two-week course. (Photo: Richa Sharma Puri/CIMMYT)
The training was jointly conducted by CIMMYT in collaboration with the Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research â Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (ICAR-CSSRI). It was held at the BISA research facilities in Jabalpur and Ludhiana, India, and ICAR-CSSRI in Karnal, India, from 9 December to 24 December 2023.
Creating resilient agrifood systems
Conservation agriculture is an ecosystem approach to agricultural land management based on three interrelated principles: minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and crop diversification. It helps farmers boost yields, regenerate natural resources, reduce cultivation costs, and create resilient production systems. This helps protect the environment and enhance livelihoods of rural populations, especially in the Global South.
In this region, the rural population depends on natural resources â land, freshwater, and coastal fisheries â for survival. However, the depletion of soil fertility, scarcity of water resources, exacerbated by environmental pollution and climate change-induced stresses, prove challenging to irrigated and dryland agriculture production systems. This puts agrifood systems in South Asia and Africa under tremendous pressure.
Despite the benefits, farmers face significant barriers to adopting CA practices. Lack of knowledge and skills, limited access to appropriate seeds and equipment, lack of policy support, under-developed value chains, and non-acceptance of the fact that CA can yield better results and long-term benefits often prevents farmers from adopting CA practices. Hence, capacity development is vital for the adaptation and scaling of CA-based technologies among smallholder farmers.
To cater to these needs, an Advanced Course on Conservation Agriculture in Asia â a Gateway for Sustainable and Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems was launched in 2010. Later, it was expanded to North Africa. The course links scientific advances and multidisciplinary approaches for upgrading the skills of participants for sustainable intensification and diversification of production systems, enhancing resilience, and conserving natural resources. Since its inception, this training series has directly benefited about 220 researchers, development personnel, and policymakers from 20 countries.
The 12th edition of the training in India saw mid-career researchers and development officers from Morocco, Egypt, Bangladesh, and India participate. Approximately 40% of the attendees were women.
Highlights from the India training programÂ
The inaugural session commenced on 9 December 2023 at the NASC Complex in New Delhi, India. Present at the opening ceremony were chief guest S.K. Chaudhari, deputy director general – Natural Resource Management, ICAR; Arun Joshi, CIMMYT regional representative and managing director of BISA; and Mahesh K Gathala, course coordinator, and Alison Laing, agroecologist from CIMMYT in Bangladesh.
During the welcome address, Joshi informed that CIMMYT and BISA are committed to capacity development of national partners around the world. Chaudhari emphasized the effectiveness in facilitating innovations in CA management. âUnder increasing climate variability and change, the need to manage agronomic risks is even more significant and CA is an effective tool for farmers and scientists in irrigated and rainfed systems,â he said.
Participants were introduced to the genesis, background, and objectives of the course by Gathala. Resource persons across diverse disciplines informed the participants about innovative and cutting-edge research in all aspects of CA in both irrigated and dryland cropping systems, including advanced agronomy; mechanization; farm, soil, and water interactions; plant protection, health and crop breeding; climate resilience; farming systems simulation and analysis; agribusiness management; womenâs empowerment and gender equity; and agricultural extension and out-scaling. Participants also gained practical knowledge and skills at the BISA research stations where extensive trainings were conducted under the guidance of Ravi Gopal Singh, Raj Kumar, and Lalit Sharma, course coordinators. They organized a series of sessions, along with the hands-on training, at the CA experiment farm in the BISA research facilities. Participants also toured 500 acres of farms at each of the locations. They visited farm facilities such as wheat research trials, molecular laboratory, precision nitrogen nutrition facility, seed processing unit, and farm machinery section.
Workshop participants conduct activities with farmers in the field. (Photo: Richa Sharma Puri/CIMMYT)
The group also visited ICAR-CSSRI facilities in Karnal where R.K. Yadav, director, ICAR- CSSRI, welcomed the participants and highlighted the international and national collaboration activities at CSSRI and how long-term experiments on CA are managing and generating science-based evidence to inform policy and capacity building.
Special visits were organized to farm machinery manufacturers in the region to facilitate industry-participant interactions. Participants visited the Landforce factory at Amargarh, a leading manufacturer of all ranges of farm equipment – from seeding to harvesting and processing. This firm is equipped with the latest manufacturing facilities and techniques such as robotic welding, assembling and automated paint. Later, the group visited the National Agroindustry at Ludhiana, a top manufacturer of planters including bed planters, zero till drills, Happy Seeders, pneumatic and precise planters.
Finally, participants were taken to the farmer fields to interact with the farmers and observe the impact first-hand. They met with a progressive farmer group at Karnal who shared their experiences of practicing CA for the last few years. Post these visits and learning sessions, a closing ceremony was organized at CSSRI at Karnal which was chaired by R.K. Yadav and attended by special guests Rajbir Singh, ADG-ICAR and ML Jat, global director RFFS, ICRISAT. âThe session on CA machinery was very helpful and carbon credit was an essential part of our learning. We also got an opportunity to exchange our ideas and experiences with researchers from Morocco, Egypt, and Bangladesh. We sincerely thank the organizers for making us confident and technically smart CA personnels,â said a participant from India.
Researchers, including Sieg Snapp from CIMMYT, are pioneering crops that fertilize themselves by harnessing atmospheric nitrogen. This revolutionary breakthrough promises to slash synthetic fertilizer use, combat environmental damage, and usher in a new era of sustainable agriculture. A leap towards greener, self-sustaining food production is on the horizon.
Participants convene with key stakeholders of the RAIZ project. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Mutoko, a semi-arid area located in Mashonaland east of Zimbabwe, is prone to droughts and unpredictable rainfall patterns. In an effort to tackle the challenges faced by local smallholder farmers in the region, partners of the Resilience Building through agroecological intensification in Zimbabwe (RAIZ) project organized a participatory workshop to amplify the projectâs mandate and gather feedback from key stakeholders. The workshop at Mutoko brought together diverse participants from the Women Affairs, Youth, and Agriculture ministries from the government of Zimbabwe, local leaders and council, extension officers, students, and farmers from Wards 10 and 8. Attending farmers and stakeholders expressed interest in the project that would enable them to face challenges and improve agricultural practices in Mutoko.
Working towards climate-smart solutions: the RAIZ project
RAIZ is a collaborative effort between CIMMYT, the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and the University of Zimbabwe. The project is funded by the European Union, and it focuses on recognizing the strategic role of agroecological approaches in tackling climate change and enhancing sustainable agriculture in arid areas. Research operations are underway in Mutoko to produce scientific evidence and contribute to agroecology policy.
Agroecology offers climate-smart solutions that help farmers adapt to changing conditions, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources, and promote food security and resilience in the face of climate uncertainties. RAIZ implements âLiving Labsâ which strengthens collaboration between diverse stakeholders, including farmers and scientists, whose collective insights help develop demand-driven solutions.
During the Mutoko workshop, Professor and Systems Agronomist Regis Chikowo provided context of RAIZ and emphasized on its goal of helping build resilience in farmers through sustainable approaches. âThe aim is not only to help farmers adapt to climate change but also to enable them to thrive in the face of adversity,â said Chikowo.
Students and farmers work together on a visioning exercise. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Building synergies between research and farmer realities
To bridge the gap between research and farmer realities, six student-researchers of RAIZ are working on various aspects of building farmer resilience based on agroecological principles. Their study areas comprise of weed control, climate-proofing with resilient small grain varieties, indigenous knowledge systems, and soil health among others. One student-researcher, in collaboration with farmers, is conducting research on weed control and its impact on crop yield. In all, they are set to articulate and tackle climate change in Mutoko.
âThrough my research in weed control and how it affects yields, we are hosting trials with some farmers. We are putting into effect mulch practices gumbeze ramwari, and assessing how it affects yields. We are then intercropping maize with cowpea so that farmers spend less time fighting off weeds, while promoting crop diversification,â says Juliet Murimwa, a Ph.D. student.
Knowledge and sources of information on when to expect rains and average temperatures are vital for farmers to better plan the entire planting-to-harvesting operations. Recognizing this, research student Rejoice Nyoni is studying the types and usefulness of climate services information accessed by smallholder farmers in RAIZ project sites.
âMy research is centered on understanding whether smallholder farmers are getting enough knowledge from available sources, including radio which is more prominent,â says Nyoni. Farmers have long relied on traditional knowledge systems to predict weather patterns and plan farming activities. However, with climate change, some of these traditional knowledge sources are being altered. âThis season, I will be joining our farmers in Mutoko to discuss and understand which indigenous knowledge systems they use to gather information about weather patterns. We want to find ways to ensure that such wisdom does not get lost, as generations are slowly moving away from traditional cultures and norms,â she adds.
CIMMYTâs work in RAIZ operational areas supported by graduate students, is also testing the effectiveness of newly availed local commercial organic fertilizers and how they contribute to climate smartness when used along with conservation agriculture practices. CIMMYT is also leading the development of an agroecology handbook, set to be used by extension staff and other development practitioners.
In line with the International Year of Millets in 2023, RAIZ actively promotes the cultivation of small grains to enhance the resilience of local farmers. As part of the project, a student researcher is conducting trials in Mutoko to assess the performance of different small grain varieties in the face of climate change. Farmers in Mutokoâs Ward 10 have started experimenting with small grains and have experienced promising yields. A farmer in Mutoko Ward 10, Mudzengera, shared his positive experience with growing sorghum, âLast year we grew three varieties of sorghum. We really liked the new variety as it was not prone to bird attack. On the other hand, the native variety we usually grow is prone to birds feasting on them. We realized good yields which improved household nutrition. I look forward to another farming season with such trials on sorghum,â he says.
Farmers and students work on a shared vision on the future of agriculture. (Photo: CIMMYT)
A shared vision for a sustainable future
A visioning exercise conducted during the workshop, solicited views from the farmers on how they envision the future of agriculture. The session, facilitated by Isaiah Nyagumbo, senior agronomist at CIMMYT, and marking the initiation of Living Laboratories in the district, started with asking farmers what change and developments they would like to see in their ward after three to four years, with respect to agriculture. The farmers were disaggregated into four groups by gender and ward. The emerging aspirations revolved around the twin goals of safeguarding the environment and enhancing crop yields. Farmers from both wards 10 and 8, expressed a shared desire to improve agricultural marketing infrastructure, agroforestry, and the protection of forests, recognizing the critical role that trees play in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity. Mulching, which holds immense potential in conserving soil moisture, and adopting mechanized operations were among other aspirations. Furthermore, the participants expressed interest in cultivating small grains, drought-tolerant maize, use of renewable energy, and leveraging digital platforms.
With the ever-changing climate conditions, including the unpredictable El Niño, and dynamic changes in government policies, understanding farmersâ preferences and market segmentation has become crucial for implementing impactful breeding programs. Market segmentation is a strategic process which divides a market into distinct group of consumers with similar needs, preferences, and behaviors. This allows organizations to tailor their products and services to specific customer segments, thus ensuring maximum value and impact.
In todayâs fast-paced and evolving agricultural landscape, market segmentation plays a vital role in helping organizations navigate the complexities of a dynamic market. CIMMYTâs maize breeding program has a successful track record in developing and delivering improved varieties that are climate-resilient, high-yielding and suited to the rainfed tropical conditions in Africa. To further strengthen the impact, it is important to have a clear understanding of the evolving needs of farmers in different agroecological regions and the emerging market scenario so that breeding processes can be tailored based on market needs and client requirements.
Questions arise on how to refine the breeding programs relative to country-specific market segments, what efforts are underway to target these markets, and how do these markets transition. Recognizing the importance of market segmentation in refining breeding programs at the country and regional levels, CIMMYT hosted two workshops on maize market intelligence in Kenya and Zimbabwe, under the CGIAR Market Intelligence Initiative for eastern and southern Africa.
âMarket intelligence in breeding programs is critical to understand the evolving needs of key stakeholders, including farmers, consumers, and the seed industry. It helps continuously improve the breeding pipelines to develop and deliver impactful products in targeted market segments. The workshops brought together relevant experts from the national programs and seed companies for focused discussions to develop a harmonized breeding strategy. This would help to address the needs of smallholder maize farmers in eastern and southern Africa,â said Director of CIMMYT’s Global Maize program and One CGIAR Global Maize Breeding Lead, B.M. Prasanna.
B.M. Prasanna delivers a presentation. (Photo: CIMMYT)
The workshops constituted a strategic continuation of the Product Design Team (PDT) meetings under CGIAR Market Intelligence, with a focus on the refinement of gender-intentional target product profile design. Guided by the expertise of CIMMYT’s Global Maize program, Market Intelligence, and ABI-Maize Transform teams, the sessions saw active participation from key stakeholders including lead breeders, seed systems experts, and market specialists from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), alongside collaborative engagement with seed company partners. The workshops underscored the commitment to incorporate diverse perspectives, aligning with the evolving maize market landscape in eastern and southern Africa.
“The workshop provided critical insights on opportunities to improve market penetration of improved maize varieties. There is a need to strike a balance between the needs of the farmers, seed industry, and consumers in variety development; actively involve farmers and consumers in variety selection and understanding their preferences; and focus on emerging needs of the market such as yellow maize for feed and food,â said James Karanja, maize breeding lead at the Kenya Agriculture & Livestock Research Organization, Kenya.
Insights from both workshops underscored the importance of providing breeders with pertinent information and comprehensive training. The discussions illustrated the necessity for breeders to define their objectives with a 360-degree outlook, aligning breeding programs with market segments and interfacing with CIMMYT’s regional vision.
Workshop participants. (Photo: CIMMYT)
âThe market intelligence workshop is an excellent initiative for the breeding programs. It shows how traits can be identified and prioritized, based on farmersâ requirements. The maize value chain is broad, and the synergy between the developer of the product (breeder), the producer (farmer), and the consumer needs to be effective. Hence, streamlining of the market segments and eventually the target product profiles is key in ensuring that the breeders develop improved products/varieties with relevant traits that address the needs of farmers, consumers, and the seed industry,â said Lubasi Sinyinda, breeder from the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute, Zambia.
Another participant, Lucia Ndlala, a maize breeder at the Agricultural Research Council, South Africa, echoed similar enthusiasm. “The workshop was exceptionally informative, providing valuable insights into target product profiles and market segments. This knowledge will undoubtedly prove instrumental in shaping future breeding strategies,” she said.
When applied through a breeding lens, market segmentation is a vital tool in refining breeding programs at both country and regional levels, enabling breeders to better understand and address the diverse needs of the farmers, and ensuring that the improved varieties are tailored to market segments.
Persistent vulnerability to frequent climate-related shocks, exacerbated by the effects of climate change poses a continual threat to the capacity of communities to secure an adequate and nutritious food supply throughout the year. The R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, led by the World Food Programme (WFP), aims to enable vulnerable, smallholder farmers to increase their food security, income, and resilience by managing climate-related risks. Expanding on the success of R4, WFP launched the Zambuko Livelihoods Initiative, a comprehensive program supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This initiative strategically concentrates on fostering social cohesion within communities, advancing crop and livestock production, and facilitating improved access to financial resources.
In a collaborative endeavor, CIMMYT is leading the implementation of the climate-smart agriculture and mechanization components of the Zambuko program, with a specific focus on Masvingo Rural (Ward 15) and Mwenezi (Ward 6) in Zimbabwe. Focused on mitigating the impact of climatic shocks and stresses, the initiative aims to empower local farmers, improve agricultural practices, and foster sustainable livelihoods. This collaborative effort represents a crucial step towards building resilience in the face of climate challenges, offering a holistic approach to enhancing the adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities.
Key objectives
The overall objective is to diversify and strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods, while mitigating household vulnerability to recurring shocks, such as droughts and floods.
CIMMYT oversees interlinked goals which are â
Viable conservation agriculture (CA) and mechanization options are tested and expanded in rural farming communities.
Seed and fodder options are tested and available for wider use by smallholders.
Increased smallholder farmer knowledge and capacity to implement climate-smart agriculture interventions to build resilience.
The livestock sub-sector is one of the most important arms of the agricultural sector, contributing to the livelihoods of 70% of Zimbabwe’s rural population. Sustainable livestock production depends on the maintenance of healthy and productive animals which requires paying particular attention to the problems of both endemic and introduced animal diseases and zoonotic. Climate relevant livestock production practices such as fodder management and conservation, water harvesting, and manure management have been identified as solutions to increasing livestock productivity.
The Livestock Production Systems in Zimbabwe (LIPS-Zim) project, funded by the European Union (EU) focuses on increasing agricultural productivity in Zimbabwe’s semi-arid, agro-ecological regions IV and V. Led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and in partnership with CIMMYT, the French Agricultural Research Center for International Development (Cirad) and the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), LIPS-Zim is working in 10 districts of Zimbabwe, i.e. Matabeleland South Province (Beitbridge and Gwanda districts), the parched Matabeleland North Province (Binga, Hwange and Nkayi districts), Midlands (Gokwe North district), Masvingo (Chiredzi and Zaka districts), Manicaland (Buhera district) and Mashonaland East (Mutoko district). LIPS-Zim is conducting research that seeks to increase livestock feed productivity and well as reducing diseases and mortality of livestock.
Main objectives
Core to the project is to increase the adoption of climate-relevant innovations (e.g feeding) in livestock-based production systems and improve the surveillance and control of livestock diseases. CIMMYTâs main thrust in this project is based on the recognition that at least 50% of the arable land area in semi-arid region IV and V of Zimbabwe is still put to maize despite extension recommendations for farmers to grow the more resilient small grains in those regions. Given the above, and to address their food and feed needs, farmers in those regions need drought-tolerant and nutritious maize varieties that are resilient in those dry environments. CIMMYTâs work is thus focusing on testing the feed value of these nutritious and drought tolerant maize varieties when intercropped with various legumes such as mucuna, cowpea, lab-lab and pigeonpea. CIMMYT is also testing the later, along with climate smart production techniques such as conservation agriculture and water harvesting practices.
Typically looking like a small caterpillar growing up to 5 cms in length, the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is usually green or brown in color with an inverted âYâ marking on the head and a series of black dots along the backs. Thriving in warm and humid conditions, it feeds on a wide range of crops including maize, posing a significant challenge to food security, if left unmanaged. The fall armyworm is an invasive crop pest that continues to wreak havoc in most farming communities across Africa.
A CIMMYT researcher surveys damaged maize plants while holding a fall armyworm, the culprit. (Photo: Jennifer Johnson/CIMMYT)
The first FAW attack in Zimbabwe was recorded around 2016. With a high preference for maize, yield losses for Zimbabwe smallholder farmers are estimated at US$32 million. It has triggered widespread concern among farmers and the global food system as it destroyed large tracts of land with maize crops, which is a key staple and source of farmer livelihood in southern Africa. The speed and extent of the infestation caught farmers and authorities unprepared, leading to significant crop losses and food insecurity.
Exploring the destructive FAW life cycle
It undergoes complete metamorphosis, progressing through four main stages including egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Reproducing rapidly in temperatures ranging from 20 to 38°C, moist soil conditions facilitate the egg-laying process, while mild winters enable its survival in some regions. The larval stage is the most destructive phase, feeding voraciously on plant leaves and can cause severe defoliation. They can migrate in large numbers, devouring entire fields within a short period if left unchecked.
Working towards effective FAW management
A farmer and CIMMYT researcher examine maize plants. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Efficient monitoring, early detection, and appropriate management strategies are crucial for mitigating the impact of FAW infestations and protecting agricultural crops. To combat the menace of this destructive pest, CIMMYT, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been implementing research and extension on cultural control practices in Zimbabwe. One such initiative is the “Evaluating Agro-ecological Management Options for Fall Armyworm in Zimbabweâ. Since 2018, this project strives to address research gaps on FAW management and cultural control within sustainable agriculture systems. The focus of the research has been to explore climate-adapted push-pull systems and low-cost control options for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe who are unable to access and use expensive chemical products.
Environment friendly practices are proving effective to combat FAW risks
To reduce the devastating effects of FAW, the project in Zimbabwe is exploring the integration of legumes into maize-based strip cropping systems as a first line of defense in the Manicaland and Mashonaland east provinces. By planting maize with different, leguminous crops such as cowpea, lablab and mucuna, farmers can disrupt the pests’ feeding patterns and reduce its population. Legumes release volatile compounds that repel FAW, reducing the risk of infestation. Strip cropping also enhances biodiversity, improves soil health and contributes to sustainable agricultural practices. Overall results show that FAW can be effectively managed in such systems and implemented by smallholder farmers. Research results also discovered that natural enemies such as ants are attracted by the legumes further contributing to the biological control of FAW.
Spraying infested maize crop with Fawligen in Nyanyadzi. (Photo: CIMMYT)
Recently, the use of biopesticides such as Fawligen has gained traction as an alternative to fight against fall armyworm. Fawligen is a biocontrol agent that specifically targets the FAW larvae. Its application requires delicate attention – from proper storage to precise mixing and accurate application. Following recommended guidelines is essential to maximize its effectiveness and minimize potential risks to human health and the environment.
Impact in numbers
Since the inception of the project, close to 9,000 farmers participated in trainings and exposure activities and more than 4,007 farmers have adopted the practices on their own field with 1,453 hectares under improved management. Working along with extension officers from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries & Rural Resettlement, the project has established 15 farmer field schools as hubs of knowledge sharing, promoting several farming interventions including conservation agriculture practices (mulching, minimum tillage through ripping), timely planting, use of improved varieties, maintaining optimum plant population, and use of recommended fertilizers among others.
Addressing FAW requires a multi-faceted approach. The FAW project in Zimbabwe is proactive in tackling infestation by integrating intercropping trials with legumes, harnessing the application of biopesticides, and collaborative research. By adopting sustainable agricultural practices, sharing valuable knowledge, and providing farmers with effective tools and techniques, it is possible to mitigate the impact of FAW and protect agrifood systems.
CIMMYT’s development and release of six new wheat varieties in Ethiopia, aimed at combating rust diseases and increasing yields, underscore its pivotal role in advancing agricultural self-sufficiency and productivity in the country. These varieties, covering the majority of Ethiopia’s wheat cultivation area, highlight CIMMYT’s significant contribution to enhancing food security and agricultural resilience.
Annual AID-I meeting participants gather for a group photo. (Photo:Christabel Chabwela)
Implementing partners of the Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) project, or MasAgro Africa, converged in Arusha, Tanzania, for the project’s first annual review and planning meeting. The event, which brought together 58 participants from 28 allied organizations coordinating and implementing activities as part of the flagship USAID-funded initiative, provided an opportunity to review progress towards targets set at the project launch in September 2022. During the event, partners also took time to collaboratively plan for stronger implementation in the projectâs second year, while discussing challenges faced in the previous year and coming up with practical solutions for these. Similar planning meetings took place in Malawi and Zambia during the same month.
Speaking during the meetingâs opening session, USAID Tanzania Mission Feed the Future Coordinator Melanie Edwards expressed excitement about the achievements of in-country partners in the past year. âThe Tanzania component of the project was performing very well,â she said, âand it was exciting to see the proposals coming, meaning that the number of partners was expanding.â Edwards noted that there is still a lot more to be done by the AID-I project and a call for new partner proposals was going to be issued soon to augment ongoing work. She also emphasized the importance of expanding the number of partners and was eager to see planned activities for the second year of the project.
Speaking on behalf of the Government of Tanzaniaâa key partner in the AID-I initiativeâAbel Mtembenji outlined the government’s priorities: increasing productivity, creating decent jobs, enhancing extension services, improving resilience for food security, and expanding market and credit access. Mtembenji was pleased that AID-I interventions aligned with these and encouraged stakeholders to coordinate their efforts with the Tanzanian government to enhance the sustainability of project activities. He further encouraged stakeholders to notify the government of their initiatives to foster collaboration during implementation. Mtembenji recognized the support from USAID, through CIMMYT and thanked all partners for their participation and contribution to agricultural development in Tanzania.
Showcasing early successes
The AID-I initiative provides targeted assistance to up to three million African smallholder farmers by improving soil health and fertilizer management; strengthening local seed systems; connecting to financial products and services; and delivering extension and advisory services. An update presentation made by SAS Program Manager Grace Mwai revealed that through its 42 partners across Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia, AID-I had in the past 12 months set up 125 mega-demonstrations for the 2022-2023 season. Forty-two of these were managed by farmer groups themselves, with 60% managed by women.
Across all three project countries, AID-I also reached approximately 5.3 million farmers with various agronomic advisory messages through radio and television, 160,000 listeners through interactive voice response (IVR) messages. Over 9,000 farmers were linked to inputs and outputs markets, of which 40% were women. Mwai added that the project had also conducted 5,143 seed company demonstrationsâof which 2,400 took place in Tanzaniaâand had harvested and processed 13,000 metric tons of certified maize and legume seed, which was expected to directly benefit around one million smallholder farmers across the hub.
Partners demonstrate seed packages to meeting participants. (Photo: Christabel Chabwela)
On the second day of the meeting, partners organized themselves into three small groups based on the three AID-I pillarsâSeed Systems, Agriculture Advisories, and Market Linkagesâto discuss forthcoming activities and what they hoped to do better in the coming season. The meeting concluded with discussions on issues including financial reporting, establishing and nurturing collaborations, and leveraging technology for improved project outcomes. During his closing remarks, Legume and Seed Systems Specialist under AID-I, Peter Setimela, emphasized the importance of timely proposal submission for the second year.
