Climate change threatens to reduce global crop production, and poor people in tropical environments will be hit the hardest. More than 90% of CIMMYTâs work relates to climate change, helping farmers adapt to shocks while producing more food, and reduce emissions where possible. Innovations include new maize and wheat varieties that withstand drought, heat and pests; conservation agriculture; farming methods that save water and reduce the need for fertilizer; climate information services; and index-based insurance for farmers whose crops are damaged by bad weather. CIMMYT is an important contributor to the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.
Mariel Guera, CIMMYTâs national coordinator for research platforms, at one of the experimental platforms where practices are evaluated to diversify agricultural systems and improve their ecological and productive functionality (Photo: Ingrid GonzĂĄlez/CIMMYT)
Functional diversification in agriculture seeks to maximize the potential of crops not only as sources of food but also as contributors to soil health, ecosystem stability, and economic sustainability. Through strategic design, agroecosystems can be strengthened to become more resilient, efficient, and productive. Mariel Guera, National Research Coordinator of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) Program at CIMMYT, shares key recommendations for those interested in transitioning toward more diverse and functional systems.
Intercropping of maize (Zea mays), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and squash (Cucurbita spp.) in a diversified system (Milpa). This combination enhances soil fertility, improves ground cover, and strengthens agroecosystem resilience (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
Integrating different species within an agricultural system provides important agroecological benefits. For example, incorporating crops such as legumes can enhance soil fertility, disrupt pest and disease cycles, promote beneficial insect populations, and broaden food and income opportunities.
Reduce climate risk
Diversified agricultural system with crops of varying water requirements (Photo: OpenAI, ChatGPT)
Growing crops with different water and nutrient requirements helps mitigate the impact of irregular rainfall or extreme heat. Functional diversity brings greater stability in the face of climate uncertainty.
Select adapted species with market potential
Crops selected for their climate adaptation and commercial value. (Photo: Open AI, ChatGPT)
Species selection should be based on their adaptation to local conditions and market potential. While some hardy species may not be commercially viable,âŻthey fulfill essential functions such as providing soil cover, fixing nitrogen, and improving soil structureâleading to indirect benefits for the main crop.
Invest in intercropping and crop rotations
Crop at early stages under diversified agriculture management. (Photo: Jenifer Morales/CIMMYT)
Combining crops through practices such as maizeâbean intercropping or maizeâsesame relay planting enables more efficient use of system resources without reducing yields. These practices improve profitability, contribute to pest control, and promote efficient land use throughout the cropping cycle.
Assess before diversifying
Field assessment to evaluate soil conditions prior to diversifying crops (Photo: CIMMYT)
Before introducing new species, it is necessary to conduct a technical assessment of the context, including climate conditions, altitude, soil type, water availability, and agronomic history. This evaluation helps prevent losses and ensures effective diversification.
Support the agroecological transition
Management of cover crops as part of a functional diversification strategy (Photo: Sarah MartĂnez/CIMMYT)
Functional crop diversity reduces chemical inputs, improves soil health, and contributes to restoring ecological balance in the system. In the medium and long term, these benefits promote more efficient, regenerative production.
Intentional and knowledgeable diversification is key to achieving more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural systems. Incorporating functional crops that are adapted to local conditions and linked to clear objectives strengthens productive autonomy, improves profitability, and promotes more balanced agroecosystem management. For diversification to be effective, it is essential to assess the system, select appropriate species, and receive technical support.
If you are interested in applying this approach to your farm, contact the CIMMYT team in your region. Locate your nearest hub to receive specialized guidance in designing a diversification strategy tailored to your production context.
(Tracy Chokurongerwa and Atlas representative in her trial plot (Photo: CIMMYT)
âOur soils are exhausted. Even the best hybrid seed wonât yield much without nutrients. Organic fertilizers give us hope, but are they affordable and available? We need to understand our soils and make informed choices. This is an agrarian district; water isnât scarce, but good soil is,â lamented Mrs. Munyoro, a district local authority official in Murehwa.
These words reflect a difficult reality confronting many smallholder farmers in Zimbabweâs dryland farming regions: the urgent need to restore soil health in an increasingly fragile climate. With nearly 70% of the soils in districts like Murehwa and Mutoko classified as sandy, low in organic carbon, and prone to nutrient leaching, the potential for long-term productivity is steadily declining. Compounding this challenge is a decline in livestock populations due to disease, which reduces access to cattle manure, once a dependable source of organic nutrients.
To respond to these issues, the Resilience Building through Agroecological Intensification in Zimbabwe (RAIZ) project, led by the research consortium CIMMYT, is conducting field trials targeting soil fertility enhancement strategies that align scientific rigor with local practicality. These trials explore how conservation agriculture (CA) techniques and various organic fertility inputsâranging from traditional manure to market-supplied products like Bokashi, Atlas orgfert (organic D), Orgfert, and Vermicompostâcan sustainably improve soil fertility, structure, microbial health, and ultimately yield outcomes.
But why do these trials matter? The market is increasingly saturated with organic fertilisers, which offer both opportunities and dilemmas for smallholder farmers. From ZimEarthwormsâvermicompost, Bokashi, Orgfert, and Atlas orgfert (organic D) gaining visibility, questions remain around their affordability, accessibility, and context-specific performance. Farmers continue to rely on cattle manure where available, but rising livestock mortality, including from theileriosis (commonly referred to as January disease), is limiting this resource.
The RAIZ trials go beyond measuring yield dataâthey also evaluate farmer appreciation, labor requirements, and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, local authorities emphasize the importance of understanding how different organic inputs influence nutrient cycling, soil microbial activity, and overall soil fertility dynamics over time.
With several companies producing organic inputs, and cattle manure being a traditional staple, the big questions remain: What works best? What can farmers afford? And how can the findings shape broader adoption? This integrated approach is critical for guiding broader adoption of sustainable practices in Zimbabwe’s farming systems, where poor granite-derived sandy soils of low organic matter and low pH constitute up to 60% of the countryâs arable land.
Insights from the Field
The farmer-led trial by Tracy Chokurongerwa in Murehwa offered compelling insights into the comparative value of organic inputs under both conventional and CA management, including intercropping setups such as maizeâcowpea combinations. Treatments across plots were standardized to include five organic amendments: Vermicompost, Orgfert, Atlas orgfert (organic D), Bokashi, and cattle manure.
An aerial view of the experimental plot on organic soil amendments in Murehwa Ward 28 (Photo: CIMMYT)
Bokashi showed notable improved performance compared to the previous season, while Atlas orgfert (organic D) emerged as the preferred input by farmers based on visual crop vigor and yield observations. ZimEarthwormsâ vermicompost performed particularly well when combined with Compound D fertilizer, suggesting synergistic effects between organic and synthetic inputs. However, challenges with land topography and water retention reinforced the need for supporting practices such as contour ridges, stormwater diversion channels, and timely land preparation.
In another trial, one farmer tested intercropping with pigeon pea and echoed the preference for Atlas orgfert (organic D). A separate rate trial examined the impact of increasing organic input volumes, revealing a positive yield response under CA systems, although erosion risks on sloped terrain were a concernâemphasizing once again the importance of land and water management.
In Mutoko, trials faced additional variables. Termite infestation was notable in one plot, aggravated by water runoff and poor mulch management. However, plots that utilized decomposed leaf litter mulch showed better moisture retention and stronger crop establishment under conservation agriculture practices. At some sites, the differences between CA and conventional till plots were striking to all visitors, clearly demonstrating the regenerative capacity of CA-based systems.
These examples illustrate how site-specific conditionsâsuch as slope, soil type, and mulch availabilityâheavily influence the outcomes of soil fertility interventions. Importantly, researchers noted that marginal land allocation for trials (often the only land farmers can offer) can limit replicability and yield potential, highlighting the tension between field research conditions and real-world farming constraints.
Highlights of the 2023/24 Season
The 2023/24 season was a year of experimentation and learning for the RAIZ project, as farmers diligently undertook the targeted trials with recommended organic fertilizer rates and conservation agriculture (CA) methods. A total of 51 farmers participated in farmer-led experiments, with 30 testing standard or recommended rates of organic amendments under CA techniques, and 21 evaluating different organic fertilizer rates. Six decentralized learning centers hosted demonstrations on maize variety performance, CA principles, sorghum, and manure use, providing a platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange.
Despite erratic rainfall ranging from 250 to 500 mm, the trials delivered critical insights into what works and where. Results showed limited maize harvests, while the trials emphasized understanding which soil amendments are most effective across different areas. This approach helps farmers avoid costly fertilizer investments by identifying locally affordable and sustainable soil enhancement options. The need for early land preparation and strategic planning at the start of the season was a key takeaway, particularly in the face of climate unpredictability and ongoing soil degradation.
Reflections from the Ground
One of the strongest messages from both farmers and stakeholders was a call for continuity. Participants appreciated the way research was embedded within farmer realities and stressed the importance of scaling the initiative. Farmer engagement from the outset, coupled with co-implementation of trials, has fostered a sense of ownership and trust.
A particularly telling observation was the presence of witchweed in conventional maize plots, reinforcing the importance of integrated soil fertility management and diversified cropping systems. Such findings not only validate CA and organic input combinations but also contribute to a growing body of evidence on how to manage parasitic weeds through ecological approaches.
With community trust, scientific insight, and early success stories in hand, the pathway to broader adoption of organic-based soil restoration strategies is becoming clearer. However, sustained support, adaptive extension services, and inclusive learning platforms will be critical to maintain momentum. For districts like Murehwa and Mutoko, soil health is the limiting factorâbut with the right inputs, the right knowledge, and continued collaboration, smallholder farmers can rebuild the fertility foundation of their lands, and with it, secure the future of rural livelihoods.
Durham, N.C., and Texcoco, Mexico (June 12, 2025) â Pairwisehas entered a landmark licensing agreement with the non-profit, international agricultural research organization CIMMYT to provide access to its Fulcrumâągene editing platform, including the advanced SHARCâąCRISPR enzyme. This partnership will accelerate the development of improved crop varieties for smallholder farmers across 20 countries where CIMMYT implements integrated research and development initiatives.
CIMMYT, based in Mexico and operating in 88 countries, is a key member of the CGIAR network and a global leader in developing sustainable solutions for food and climate security. Under the license, CIMMYT and its National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) partners will have access to Fulcrum tools in crops including maize, wheat, sorghum, and regionally important staples like pearl millet, finger millet, pigeon pea, and groundnut.
âAdvanced breeding techniques replicate what happens in nature in a faster, more focused way. Weâre excited to have access to a gene editing technology that allows us to not only develop new traits but also make these traits available to farmers who can benefit from them,â said Sarah Hearne, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at CIMMYT. âCIMMYT is committed to bringing new technologies to smallholder farmers in the Global South, which aims to enhance resilience and nutritional characteristics of crops and help develop livelihoods and communities. Fulcrum will speed up the delivery of the climate resilient varieties that farmers urgently need.â
The Fulcrumâą Platform includes Pairwise-developed gene editing tools for cutting, base editing, and templated editing a toolbox which enables not only turning a characteristic on or off but also tuning itâ like a dimmer switch to tailor the trait and deliver the optimum phenotype.
âOur Fulcrum Platform was built to help scientists solve urgent, real-world challenges in agriculture,â said Ian Miller, Chief Operating Officer at Pairwise. âThis agreement allows CIMMYT to use our powerful CRISPR tools to deliver real-world improvements for farmers facing food insecurity and climate pressure. We outlicense to organizations like CIMMYT because Pairwise believes this transformative technology should be broadly available to those working to improve agriculture for smallholder farmers.â
Gene editing enables precision improvements in crop yield,resilience, and nutrition that could be achieved through conventional breeding but were impractical due to time and cost restraints.  By making these powerful tools more accessible, this partnership accelerates impactful innovation in regions where food system improvements are most urgently needed. Through CIMMYTâs research network, these tools will be deployed in diverse environments, providing researchers with a flexible alternative for product development and a clear pathway to real-world impact.
About Pairwise
Pairwise is agricultureâs leading gene editing powerhouse, building a healthier world through partnership and plant innovation. Co-founded by the inventors of CRISPR, our Fulcrumâą Platform accelerates the development of climate-resilient, nutritious, and sustainable crops. As trusted partners to global industry leaders and nonprofit institutions, we help breeders move faster while transforming food and agriculture for farmers, consumers, and the planet. Founded in 2017 and based in Durham, NC, Pairwise is committed to delivering innovation that makes food easier to grow â and better to eat. For more information, visit www.pairwise.com.
About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. www.cimmyt.org
CIMMYT Media Contact: Jelle Boone
Head of Communications, CIMMYT
Email: j.boone@cgiar.org
Mobile: +52 595 124 7241
Training in agroecological pest management during the early activities of the Western Honduras InnovaHub (Photo: Marlon Duron, Western InnovaHub)
Since our foundation, multilateralism has been a guiding principle of CIMMYTâs mission. We firmly believe that by forging strong alliances among countries, institutions, and communities, we can collectively confront the pressing challenges threatening food security,environmental health, and social cohesion.
From our base in Mexico, we cultivate networks of scientific and technical collaboration to advance agricultural innovations that are tailored to local realities. These solutions strengthen agri-food systems, enabling them to endure climate shocks, economic disruptions, and social crises.
Agriculture for Peace: A Transformative Vision Rooted in Science
A living embodiment of this vision is Agriculture for Peace, an initiative led by the Government of Mexico and supported by CIMMYTâs scientific and technical expertise. The initiative is grounded in a profound yet simple conviction: agricultureâwhen enriched by both cutting-edge research and the ancestral wisdom of farmersâcan serve as a powerful force for social reconciliation, inclusive development, and enduring peace.
Through applied research, technology transfer, local capacity development, and the creation of economic opportunities, Agriculture for Peace seeks to foster resilient, equitable, and prosperous communities. This initiative represents a concrete pathway to regenerate hopeâboth in Mexico and across borders.
Global Partnerships, Local Impact
CIMMYTâs commitment to multilateralism extends across the globe:
In Africa, through MasAgro Africa, we adapt successful experiences from Mexico to strengthen the capacities of smallholder farmers in countries such as Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This work promotes sustainable agricultural practices, boosts productivity, and enhances food and nutrition security.
In South Asia, we collaborate with partners in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to transform cereal production systems. Together, we promote climate-resilient farming methods that improve both yields and livelihoods.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, we advance the AgriLAC Resiliente initiative to foster inclusive innovation, scientific collaboration, and policy engagement that address the dual threats of climate change and rural inequality.
A Legacy of Listening and Action
Over the course of six decades, CIMMYT has learned that transformation begins with listening. Our founder, Dr. Norman Borlaug, understood the importance of hearing the worldâs crisesâand responding with science, innovation, and international solidarity. His legacy compels us to continue listening closely to todayâs challenges and co-creating solutions that are rooted in cooperation and driven by evidence.
Today, as the world confronts compounding global crises, the need for unity, dialogue, and action has never been more urgent. At CIMMYT, we call for renewed and strengthened alliances to holistically transform agri-food systemsâmerging scientific excellence with the time-honored knowledge of farmers.
Because by doing so, we do more than cultivate crops: We sow resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
Agriculture for Peace is our collective opportunity to sow transformation, regeneration, and hope.
In the May 2025 webinar co-hosted by CA4SH and the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS), CIMMYT played a leading role through its co-leadership of VACS, promoting resilient food systems grounded in healthy soils and climate-adapted crops. Represented by Daniela Vega (CGIAR/CIMMYT), the Center highlighted VACSâ rapid growth and its efforts to bridge science, policy, and practiceâsupporting integrated soil health solutions, evidence-based decision-making, and advancing global commitments like the Soil Health Resolution.
In Zimbabwe, farmers are turning to conservation agriculture and climate-resilient crops such as millet, sorghum and cowpeas in order to combat the growing threat of drought, which has been exacerbated by El Niño. Traditional farming methods have left soils degraded and yields diminished, prompting many farmers, such as Memory Mukototse from Kaidza village, to adopt new techniques through programmes like the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, which is led by the World Food Programme.
By comparing conservation and conventional farming methods, farmers have discovered that practices such as minimal soil disturbance, crop rotation and maintaining ground cover can greatly enhance harvests and improve water retention. Backed by CIMMYT, this farmer-driven research and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, facilitated through seed fairs, group coordination and exchange visits, has not only enhanced food security, but also empowered communities to adapt and flourish in the face of challenging climatic conditions.
The destructive Fall armyworm in a farmerâs field (CIMMYT)
Farmers in southern Africa face a double tragedy: drought in one season or flooded fields in another. Shredded leaves, twisted tassels, and frizzled maize cobs reflect more than just a failed harvest; they signal a deepening threat to food security and livelihoods. Compounding this hardship is the growing threat of pests and diseases, many of which are fuelled by climate change. Chief among them is the fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda), an invasive pest that arrived in Africa nearly a decade ago and continues to undermine smallholder farmers’ resilience, devouring crops stalk by stalk.Â
Maize is central to food security in Zambia and Malawi, where it occupies up to 80% of cultivated land and accounts for over half of the daily calorie intake. In Zambia alone, more than 90% of smallholder households grow maize, underscoring its economic and political weight. Yet, in recent years, farmers have had to contend with losses not just from erratic rainfall and poor soils, but from pests and diseases that seem to multiply with each season.Â
A recent CIMMYT-led study across 1,100 farming households in Malawi and Zambia, as part of the Southern African Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub, highlights the long-recognized challenge of FAW damage. The study confirms that FAW is not only persistent but also costly. During 2023/2024 season, 70% of surveyed farmers reported FAW damage to their maize fields. On average, FAW infestations resulted in a 13.5% to 30% reduction in maize yields, translating to more than 230 kg of lost grain per hectare. Other crops were also heavily affected, with the rosette virus reducing groundnut yields by 27% and soybean rust causing up to 25% losses in soybean fields.Â
The effects of FAW extend beyond crop harvests. It has also been shown to significantly undermine household income and food security. Although the 2023/2024 losses are slightly lower than earlier estimates, which ranged from 22% to 67% across Africa, they are still substantial enough to affect food security and livelihoods. Furthermore, the combined effects of FAW, rosette disease and rust had large income and food security impacts. Households facing the triple burden of these pests and diseases – FAW, groundnut rosette virus and soybean rust on their three most important crops are twice as likely to experience food insecurity as compared to experiencing just one of these threats. Â
In response, many farmers are turning to pesticides, improved seeds and crop rotation. However, as the data indicates, pesticides alone are far from being a comprehensive solution. They are often costly, frequently misapplied, and carry significant risks to both human and the environment. Moreover, FAW is increasingly developing resistance to commonly used pesticide formulations. Access to agricultural extension services remains limited: only 27% of surveyed farmers in Zambia and 54% in Malawi reportedly receiving such support. Without proper guidance on when and how to apply pesticides, their misuse can end up doing more harm than good.Â
These findings highlight a broader challenge: the urgent need for sustainable, science- and data-driven solutions that are practical for farmers. At the core of the response is a new generation of maize hybrids with tolerance to FAW. CIMMYT in collaboration with its partners using conventional breeding has developed new generation of hybrids with native genetic (non-transgenic) tolerance to FAW. The breeding process is complex, requiring years of field testing across diverse agroecological zones to ensure adaptability and performance.Â
In 2023, three FAW tolerant maize varieties developed by CIMMYT were officially released by the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) and sub-licensed to seed companies for commercialization. With support from AID-I and the CGIAR Sustainable Farming program, CIMMYT and partners are actively promoting these hybrids among smallholder farmers. The AID-I project has provided critical support to accelerate seed production of these hybrids. Zamseed and AfriSeed are leading efforts to bring these varieties to market.Â
Mebby Chipimo Munyemba, a proud farmer showcasing her FAW-tolerant maize field in Mazabuka, Zambia (CIMMYT)
Through the Sustainable Farming program, on-farm trials have been established across three agroecological gradients in Siavonga, Mazabuka, and Mbala districts to test the performance under farmer conditions and understand their impact on farmer outcomes. There are two treatments, which include growing the FAW-tolerant maize variety alone, and intercropping it with other legumes. Rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all solution, CIMMYT is using randomized control trials (RCTs) to assess the real-world performance of these varieties under varying conditions. The goal is not only to validate the science but to build a stronger case for scaling.Â
In Siavonga, where high temperatures and erratic rainfall create ideal conditions for FAW outbreaks, early results show promising benefits from using FAW-tolerant maize varieties. Preliminary foliar damage assessment indicates significantly reduced infestation levels compared to susceptible varieties. In contrast, the benefits in Mazabuka are less pronounced, while in Mbala – a cooler, higher-altitude location with lower pest pressure- no major gains have yet been observed. These location-specific findings are critical for informing hyperlocal, evidence-based policymaking. Equally important is building awareness and trust among farmers, ensuring they know these improved varieties exist and understand how to grow them applying good agronomic practices. Through AID-I, CIMMYT is working to close that gap, demonstrating the business case for investing in FAW tolerant maize seed to the private sector, and equipping farmers with knowledge that goes beyond what is in the bag. Â
For example, a survey carried out in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia revealed that awareness of FAW-tolerant maize varieties remains low, with only 19% of farmers in Malawi, 34% in Tanzania and 39% in Zambia had heard of FAW-tolerant maize varieties. This underscores the urgent need to scale up awareness campaigns and initiatives to stimulate demand. Encouragingly, among the farmers who are aware of these varieties, the majority expressed a willingness to purchase them at prices comparable to those of other hybrid maize varieties. This indicates a strong business case for private sector investment in seed multiplication and distribution to meet potential demand and expand access to FAW-tolerant maize hybrids.Â
For many farmers in Southern Africa, the FAW remains a persistent threat. However, through science, strong partnerships, and a commitment to field-based evidence, the tide is turning, one trial, one variety, one growing season at a time.Â
Regional partners in front of the CIMMYT maize lines displayed during field day. (CIMMYT)
Every year, public and private sector partners participate at The International Maize Improvement Consortium for Africa (IMIC-Africa) Field Day for Southern Africa, a unique event that seeks to transform the maize sector. The 2025 field day, hosted at the University of Zimbabwe farm on April 9th, brought together an eclectic blend of partners from seven African countries, including long-standing collaborators and new entrants such as AMAC Seeds and Grow Trade Seeds. Moving beyond just showcasing key achievements and new germplasm to partners, the field day fostered critical and meaningful discussions and experience sharing among partners, from lab to farm.
By offering access to both early- and advanced-generation maize lines, the event was a critical intersection point where public and private players align to tackle the continentâs most pressing agricultural challenges. In addition, members have the opportunity to test their pre-commercial hybrids through CIMMYT-led multi-location trials, ensuring that the products are carefully evaluated across diverse agroecologies and for essential traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance and high yield potential. It also provides an avenue for suggesting improvements to the demonstrations, ranging from labelling.
We took time to get a clear perspective from CIMMYT scientists, private and public sector representatives.
Q: How important is the IMIC-Africa Field day in addressing maize sector challenges?
âSuccess of breeding programs is hinged on injection of new genetics that drive gains. Developing high value inbred and donor lines is an expensive process and platforms such as IMIC Africa help reduce product development costs in maize breeding programs of the partners and reduce time taken to deliver solutions to farmers,â emphasized Aparna Das, Senior Technical Program Manager for the Global Maize Program.
âIt is rare to get an opportunity to observe and select hundreds of lines in one location as it offers each participant an opportunity to see the performance potential of each line at a glanceâ said James Gethi, southern Africa Seed Systems Specialist and IMIC Africa southern Africa coordinator.
Mainassara Zaman-Allah, CIMMYTâs Country Representative for Zimbabwe, reflected on the core strengths of the consortium, âIt has been 8 years since the launch of the initiative, and one of the core strengths of IMIC-Africa is its inclusivity. Whether from a national agricultural research institution, maize seed company or international agricultural research organizations, IMIC-Africa opens its doors for all involved in maize breeding for the African market. This diversity enables us to leverage a broad range of expertise and resources, to articulate the challenges faced by African farmers.â
Q: What impact have the maize lines had on breeding programs?
âWe have seen major improvements in the vigor of materials displayed that open a new frontier for single cross hybrid varieties developmentâ commented Oswell Ndoro from AMAC seeds, a new member of IMIC Africa, signalling optimism for the future.
Walter Trevisan, consultant for Helix Seeds, praised CIMMYTâs Zimbabwe scientists for their collaborative support in selections, âThank you very much for this outstanding work! We sure appreciate the help of the CIMMYT Zimbabwe scientists in helping us with this task.â
Davison Chaingeni from ARISS, formerly DR&SS Zimbabwe, echoed this, âWe continue to see value in getting more DH-based lines. We hope the vigor translates to yield.â
Q: Take us through on what was on offer in the field, where science meets need and demand.
âAn array of 624 CIMMYT maize lines were on display, which consisted of 614 new lines from 4 different product profiles providing insights into the performance of different materials. The materials span early-, intermediate, and late- maturity groups to nutritious maize breeding pipelines. A critical component of the field display was trait donor lines where 5 lines were on display for selection. The traits donor lines on display were for drought, drought & heat and Low N & MLN tolerance. This comprehensive showcase enabled seed companies and NARS partners to make informed selections, tailored to their breeding needs,â Gethi explained.
Development of provitamin A-enriched maize (PVA) addresses one of the emerging challenges in combating hidden hunger and animal feed. He further adds, âOn display were 126 lines originating from the PVA-enriched maize breeding pipeline. The efforts underscore CIMMYTâs commitment to address regional nutritional needs through targeted breeding initiatives.â
IMIC-Africa lines on display showing differences in phenotype for exploitation by partners (CIMMYT)
Q: What improvements would partners like to see moving forward?
Amsal Tarekegne, head of breeding at Zamseed Seed Company, pointed to a practical bottleneck, âIt is a challenge understanding the pedigree information provided in the field book due to its length.â
Yet, the road ahead still demands refinement. Lubasi Sinyinda from Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), one of the NARS partners in IMIC-Africa since its inception, noted, âI would like to see more fall armyworm (FAW) and heat-tolerant lines displayed.â
For new entrants like Petros Guveya of Grow Trade Seed company, navigating CIMMYTâs updated heterotic groupings was a challenge, underlining the need for improved orientation for first-time participants.
On the brighter side, Themba Mutuvira complimented the design of the fields by indicating they were easy to navigate through. âThe fields were well labelled, and we had no challenges at all identifying the materialsâ
A living laboratory for Africaâs Maize future
The 2025 IMIC-Africa Field Day was not just an event, but a living laboratory of innovation, critique, and partnership. In the face of mounting climate pressures, pest threats, and nutritional gaps, such platforms offer a rare and invaluable opportunity for the maize breeding community to align, adapt, and accelerate. As IMIC-Africa evolves, the call from partners is clear: deepen inclusivity, enhance clarity, and continually refine the experience to ensure that each plot, each line translates into impact on the farm and food on the table. The future of Africaâs maize sector will be built not in silos, but in such collaborative spaces where science meets the lived realities of farmers and seed companies alike.
A newly published study has identified a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against wheat blast: a novel quantitative trait locus (QTL), named Qwb.cim-7D, located on the long arm of chromosome 7D and derived from Aegilops tauschii, offers stable and moderate resistance to wheat blastâindependently of the widely used 2NS translocation.
Wheat blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT), is a rapidly spreading disease threatening wheat production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. First detected in Brazil in 1985, the disease has since caused devastating yield lossesâup to 100% in severe cases. Its transboundary spread, including recent incursions in Bangladesh and Zambia, has intensified international concerns about food security, especially among vulnerable smallholder farming communities. Control through chemical means has proven unreliable, placing even greater emphasis on the development and deployment of resistant wheat cultivars.
Fig. 1 Global incidence of wheat blast with years of its first identification indicated for the affected countries
For years, wheat breeders have relied on a single major source of genetic resistanceâthe 2NS/2AS translocation from Aegilops ventricosa. While initially effective, recent field observationsâparticularly in Brazilâsuggest that wheat blast pathogens are evolving to overcome this resistance. Despite extensive efforts, previous studies have failed to identify any non-2NS QTLs with both significant and stable effects across environments in field trials.
Fig. 2 Contrasted wheat blast reactions between BWMRI Gom 3 (left, a 2NS carrier) and BARI Gom 26 (right, a non-2NS carrier)
A New Genetic Solution for Blast Resistance
In a recently published study entitled âA novel QTL on chromosome 7D derived from Aegilops tauschii confers moderate field resistance to wheat blastâ, CIMMYTâs wheat pathology team and collaborators reported the identification of a novel and consistent QTLâQwb.cim-7Dâwhich provides significant resistance to wheat blast independent of the 2NS translocation.
The donor bread wheat line, Gladius*2/KU 2097, inherited its resistance from the resistant Ae. tauschii accession ‘KU-2097’. Field experiments were conducted at two Precision Phenotyping Platforms (PPP) in Bolivia (Quirusillas and Okinawa) and one PPP in Bangladesh (Jashore), under artificially inoculated conditionsâensuring a robust evaluation of resistance. The QTL was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 7D, where it explained between 7.7% and 50.6% of the phenotypic variation across different environments. This is a significant finding, as previous studies identified non-2NS resistance loci with typically small effects (less than 10%) and inconsistent performance. In contrast, Qwb.cim-7D is the first moderate-effect QTL to demonstrate stable resistance across multiple field conditions.
To facilitate its adoption in breeding pipelines, researchers successfully converted the flanking DArTseq markers into KASP markersâenabling more efficient marker-assisted selection.
Importantly, Qwb.cim-7D provides approximately half the resistance effect of 2NS, highlighting its value as a complementary resistance factor. When deployed through gene pyramiding strategies alongside 2NS and Rmg8, this new QTL could help breeders develop varieties with stronger and more durable resistance to the evolving wheat blast pathogen.
This breakthrough marks a turning point in global wheat blast resistance breeding. It addresses the urgent need to diversify the genetic basis of resistance and equips breeders with a viable new tool to safeguard wheat yields. As wheat blast continues to threaten food security in key regions, the introgression of Qwb.cim-7D into breeding programs offers a promising path toward enhanced crop resilience and improved farmer protection.
As a key partner in the release of Nigeriaâs first biofortified hybrid pearl millet varieties, CIMMYT contributed its scientific expertise and commitment to advancing climate-resilient, nutrition-rich crops for smallholder farmers. Collaborating closely with ICRISAT, HarvestPlus, and the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), CIMMYT played a pivotal role in supporting the development and scaling of high-yielding, early-maturing millet hybrids enhanced with iron and zinc. This effort reflects CIMMYTâs broader mission to strengthen agrifood systems through innovation and partnership, addressing the dual challenges of malnutrition and climate stress while empowering rural communities across Nigeriaâs drylands.
In the quiet villages of eastern India, a transformation is unfoldingâled by smallholder farmers and powered by the science of intercropping.
âI got a good price for the cabbages, and Iâm hopeful maize will do just as well. Look at itâitâs healthy and thriving,â says Nirmala Devi with a proud smile. At 45, Nirmala tends her small farm in Butijhari village, Kishanganj, Bihar.
She is one of 20 women in her village redefining farming through knowledge-sharing, new skills, and small-scale entrepreneurship.
In her maize field, Nirmala Devi proudly displays the remaining cabbages from her intercrop harvest, now set aside for livestock fodder after sale and household consumption (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT)
âFor the past two rabi(winter) seasons, weâve been practicing intercropping with maize, Nirmala says, gesturing toward her fields. âWe not only sell what we grow â cabbage, garden pea, beans, spinach, etc â but also exchange it among ourselves, depending on what we need at home.â
This approach has brought more than just additional income. Itâs improving household nutrition, providing animal fodder, and increasing land productivity by growing two crops in the same plot during the rabi season.
Growing Together
Not only in villages of Kishanganj, into the villages of Coochbehar and Malda in West Bengal, farmers are seeing similar results. Now in their second year with the CIMMYT-led intercropping project, they are seeing substantial benefitsâimproved yields, additional income, and greater resilience against climate and or the failure of any single crop.
While intercropping isnât new, this approach is different. CIMMYT and its partners, supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), are promoting additive intercropping in wide-row staple crops like maize across India, Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Swaraj Dutta from Dr. Kalam Agriculture College under Bihar Agriculture University, working on the project, explains how this works: âWe help farmers adjust the way they plant maizeâeither 60-60 cm spacing in single rows or a paired-row system at 30-90 cm. Between these rows, short-duration vegetables like cabbage, spinach, or legumes thrive early in the season.â
Maize and More
“The intensive cultivation of rice and maize (and previously wheat) is placing significant stress on natural resources and is becoming increasingly unsustainable in the face of growing climate change challenges. Yet, many farmers continue with these practices, even as returns diminish, due to a fear of diversifying,” explains Biplab Mitra of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya (UBKV), the university is supporting the intercropping project in Coochbehar and Malda districts of West Bengal.
“Traditionally, maize has been grown densely and often as a monocrop following rice in these regions. However, maizeâs adaptability to both kharifand rabi seasons presents an opportunity to shift away from this unsustainable pattern”, added Mitra. Â Through intercropping maize with vegetables during the rabi season farmers are now exploring more diversified and resilient farming systems that reduce pressure on resources and improve income potential.
âWe used to grow only maize after rice,â says Santos Deb from Dinhata village, Coochbehar, standing proudly beside his wife Sochirani Deb. âBut now, following the advice of scientists from UBKV, we intercrop. Two different crops, one cereal and one vegetable from the same field in the same seasonâthatâs something we never attempted.â
On just 800 square meters, Barman adopted paired-row planting and added vegetables between maize rows. After covering input costs, he earned an additional âč15,000â17,000 (US$180â200) for the vegetables, gained fresh food for the family, and produced fodder for their livestock. âThis has been very rewarding for us. I have started growing in all my plots now,â he beams. âWeâll keep intercropping every rabi season throughout our lives.â
Intercropping offers a crucial buffer against climate-related risks by providing farmers a valuable source of additional income during the rabi season. Adverse weather events such as high winds, untimely late-season rains or storms often cause maize to lodge, resulting in significant yield losses and reduced income. By adopting intercropping, farmers can cover production costs earlier in the season and minimize exposure to climate-related economic losses.
Farmer Santos Deb and his wife Sochirani stand on their intercropped farm, where they grew vegetables alongside maize to boost both income and household consumption (Photo: Nima Chodon/CIMMYT)
Some farmers, like Kamal Ganesh from Chapati village in Kishanganj, see intercropping as a form of security against unpredictable harvests. âI grew cabbage and cauliflower under the project. Due to unavoidable circumstances, I was delayed in applying fertilizer and irrigating my maize crop, so the maize yield may be poor this harvest. But Iâve already earned a profit from the vegetables. Having a second crop in the same field acts as a safety netâif one fails, the other can still bring returns,â he explains.
Looking Ahead
Researchers assert that the project’s introduction of vegetable intercropping with maize offers new opportunities for diversification and resilience in the agriculture sector already stressed by climate change.
For many farmers, this is just the beginning. Alison Laing, leading the intercropping project at CIMMYT, shares her optimism: âThis is only our second harvest across India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, and already weâre seeing encouraging results. More and more farmers want to try it next season.â
Intercropping with sugarcane, on-station research trial fields at the Indian Institute for Farming Systems Research (ICAR-IIFSR), Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India (Photo: Nima Chodon /CIMMYT)
Laing noted that further adjustments, including crop selection based on management needs, market value, and nutritional benefits, as well as efficient fertilizer use and market linkages, are being explored by researchers to enhance sustainability and broader adoption. âApart from maize, weâve also introduced intercropping in sugarcane fields in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with the Indian Institute for Farming Systems Research (ICAR-IIFSR). We will review and analyse the results from the past two years in both maize and sugarcane practices to better understand farmersâ needs and support wider adoption,â she added.
Wide Row, Additive INTERCROPPING Project, led by CIMMYT and funded by ACIAR, is a 5-year initiative (launched in 2023) bringing together research institutions and agriculture scientists from India, Bangladesh and Bhutan to help smallholder farmers boost yields, increase their resilience to climate change and improve nutrition. Â
Joe Akombaetwa shows the improved no-till multi-crop planter fitted with a T-bar and furrow kits (Photo: CIMMYT)
In Dumba Camp, a small farming community in Mazabuka District, Joe Akombaetwa is proving that even in the face of unreliable rains and poor soils, small shifts in how farmers work the land can make all the difference. A farmer since 1992, Joe has lived through the growing impacts of climate change, its frequent shocks to the rain-fed systems, and the high risks it brings to farming families in Zambiaâs Southern Province. For the past five years, he has worked as one of the earliest mechanization service providers (SPs) under the European Union-funded Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project. As a SIFAZ service provider, Joe acquired a set of machinery, including a two-wheel tractor, a trailer, a multi-crop thresher, and a sheller in 2021. Since then, he has been offering paid mechanization services to farmers in his community. But more than a service provider, Joe is an innovator, a machinery fabricator, and a businessman, creating tailor-made climate-smart mechanization solutions with the support of the SIFAZ project, responding directly to the challenges faced by farmers in his community.
Grounding innovation in reality
Joeâs innovations arenât conceived in a labâtheyâre forged in the field, shaped by the lived realities of his fellow smallholder farmers. One of his earliest breakthroughs came when he collaborated with SIFAZ engineers to design a T-bar to modify the Chinese single-row, no-till multi-crop planters into a double-row planter for a two-wheel tractor, allowing simultaneous planting of two rows instead of just one.
The original single-row planters, while functional, were slow and inefficient. âWe wanted to save time and get the work done faster,â Joe explains. âSo, we created the T-bar so that two planters could work together in tandem.â
But the innovation didnât stop there. Joe received feedback from the farmers on the issue of high side separation between the seed and fertilizer openers on the planter. This high side separation of about 120 mm might be useful to reduce seed burning in an irrigated system for which the planter was developed, but Joe and his client farmers in the rain-fed system noticed reduced early plant growth, evidently resulting from delayed nutrient access by young seedlings of the crops. Further, the furrow covered by the press wheels of the planter was not optimum (leaving some seeds uncovered with soil), leading to germination failures.
With his own hands and tools, together with the SIFAZ engineers, Joe redesigned the seed placement system by better aligning the seed and fertilizer openers (with 50 mm side separation) and developing a flexible seed-covering kit fitted before each press wheel on the planter. These modifications addressed what agronomists refer to as “placement efficiency”, but for Joe, it was simply about âgetting the seed and fertilizer placed close to each other for the plants to access the fertilizer early and firmly cover the seeds for optimum emergence.â To further improve performance, he added a balancing bar to help stabilize the planter across uneven ground, making the machine more practical for Southern Provinceâs uneven terrains and varying soil textures.
Joe demonstrates his two-wheel tractor mini boom sprayer to the CIMMYT mechanization team (Photo: CIMMYT)
Bridging science with farmer-led solutions
Joeâs hands-on creativity is not new. Back in 2010, he was part of the team that co-developed an animal-drawn ripper, a widely adopted tool that aligns with Conservation Agriculture (CA) principles by reducing soil disturbance.
With a background in blacksmithing and metal fabrication from Kasisi, and early career exposure to seed certification at ACCI in Chilanga, Joe has long moved between formal agriculture and on-the-ground adaptation. Joe is aware of declining draft animals and the aging of the farmers in Zambia, which adds to the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. He sees a declining interest of rural youths in agriculture who do not want to walk behind the beasts or do labor-intensive manual work. Observing the ease with which large-scale commercial farmers operate rippers and boom sprayers, Joe wondered, âWhy not adapt this to smallholder needs?â
Joe designed a double-row ripper and a mini boom sprayer for use with a two-wheel tractor. Compared to the traditional animal-drawn single-row rippers or the knapsack sprayers, the two-wheel tractor double-row ripper saves not only time, costs, and drudgery, but also makes farming interesting. “In just ten minutes, I can finish spraying a 16 m by 39 m field,â he says. Itâs a leap in efficiency, and for farmers, who often juggle time, labor, and resource constraints, it’s a game-changer! Joe has sold a few rippers and boom sprayers to his neighboring farmers and different projects. The demand for the machinery is on the rise, which encourages him as a rural manufacturer.
Business with a purpose
Joe isnât only an innovator; heâs also a sharp businessman. From ripping and planting to boom spraying and shelling maize, his mechanization services are in high demand among farmers in and around Dumba Camp. âRipping has been the most profitable,â he notes. âAlmost every farmer now wants it because of the sustainable farming practices introduced by SIFAZ.â He charges based on plot size and crop type, typically around ZMW 200â450 per hectare (approximately US$7â16) for services like no-till planting. But he also knows the realities farmers face. âSometimes, I negotiate. I donât want the price to scare away the farmers.â Demonstration days and field shows are his marketing lifeline. From the Cotton Development Trust-organized mechanization field days to local radio promotions, Joe has built a network of trust and visibility. Heâs become a go-to name in the Dumba Camp and beyond.
Joe stands with his 80-year-old client, who, thanks to hiring the no-till soybean planting service, is able to keep his family farm running despite his childrenâs absence. (Photo: Md A Matin, CIMMYT)
Staying afloat in tough seasons
Last season, the El Niño-induced drought was a huge blow in farmersâ fields. Poor and uneven rainfall and economic strain slashed demand for mechanization services. But Joe stayed afloat by leaning on his farmer instincts. He didnât sell off all his harvest, but instead, he stored 100 bags of maize and sold another 100 bags to have money for living. That food sovereignty, paired with diversified income from shelling and ripping, kept his business breathing through the drought.
A legacy in the making
Behind the machines and modifications is a father of five, two of whom are already following in his footsteps, bringing civil engineering skills into the familyâs growing innovation portfolio. Itâs a quiet generational shift powered by resilience, knowledge sharing, and an openness to adapt. Joeâs story reminds us that the future of farming isnât only shaped by distant policies or global climate models, but also built, welded, and tested in the fields of Southern Zambia, where farmer-innovators like Joe bridge the gap between science and local adaptation.
Extensive multi-year field trials conducted by CIMMYT in Mexico played a pivotal role in validating the efficacy of the Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) spray treatment, confirming its potential to boost wheat yields by up to 12%. Despite challenges posed by fluctuating rainfallâan increasingly common constraint under climate changeâCIMMYTâs trial plots consistently outperformed untreated controls across four consecutive crop cycles. These results underscore CIMMYTâs leadership in translating laboratory innovations into resilient, field-ready solutions that enhance food security while advancing sustainable agrifood systems in diverse agroecological conditions.
Lydia Siankwede explaining her mother trial demonstration to agronomists, sharing insights and results (photo: CIMMYT)
An early morning walk across the fields in Zambiaâs Southern province, one is met with maize fields infested with fall armyworm. In contrast to last seasonâs El Nino induced drought, and as we approached Lydia Siankwedeâs field, one is met with her thriving maize and legume field, with its deep-green canopy signaling strong growth and optimal soil health in her crop.
Each morning, Lydia tends to her field with an inquisitive mind, clutching her protocol, which serves as a guide for daily tasks. The dew clings to her shoes as she inspects each plot, checking crop performance, scouting for pests, and noting observations in her trial protocol. Yet beneath this plant vigor, a silent threat lurksâfall armyworm, its larvae discreetly feeding on tender maize leaves.
Her field, which hosts a mother trial under the EU-funded Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) program, is a patchwork of promising technologies. A mother trial is a farmer-managed, researcher-led experiment that serves as a central site for testing a variety of agricultural treatments under controlled conditions.
Mother trials are part of a mother-and-baby trial approachâa participatory research model designed to test and disseminate new farming technologies while involving farmers in the evaluation process. The approach involves mother trials and baby trials. Baby trials are farmer-managed trials conducted across multiple locations, usually in individual farmers’ fields. Each participant chooses a subset of treatments from the mother trial to test in their own field under specific local conditions. In these mother-and-baby trials, science meets farmer reality, and knowledge grows with every season.
Across the Southern Province, mother-and-baby trials are part of a broader research effort to develop crop intensification practices tailored to smallholder farming systems. In Kazungula Camp, where rainfall is low and erratic, the focus has been on integrating livestock and crop systems, rotating maize with fodder legumes like mucuna and lablab. In other communities, experiments are ongoing with integrating soybean into the maize-based cropping systems and intensifying them with pigeon pea and Gliricidia, both leguminous shrubs that provide fodder and enhance soil fertility. Each treatment is carefully monitored across experimental plots over several seasons to assess its effect on yields, soil health, pest pressure, and its longer-term impact in light of a changing climate.
Lydia, a hardworking farmer with 11 hectares of cultivable land, began her journey as a baby trial implementer, testing a single conservation agriculture (CA) practice in her own field. But her passion for learning and strong work ethic quickly set her apart. Within three years, she transitioned to managing a full-scale mother trial, giving her the opportunity to test a wider array and bundle of technologies across a larger plot. Today, Lydia experiments with crop rotations, intercropping, and fodder managementâpractices designed to boost productivity for humans, soil, and animals; build resilience; and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
A maizeâvelvet bean (mucuna) rotation aimed at improving maize yield, soil fertility, and fodder production in Southern Zambia. (Photo: CIMMYT)
What do the agronomic results bring to the table?
Each season, unique by nature, has brought valuable lessons, with promising long-term results. Since 2021, more than 1,200 farmers in Kazungula Camp, including Lydia, have adopted CA-based crop rotations beyond the trials. While yield gains for maize and legumes are not always immediate, economic analyses consistently show that CA systems generate higher returns compared to conventional tillage systems with sole maize cropping. This proved especially important in years such as 2023/24, when rainfall barely reached 373 mm due to an unprecedented El Niño year. In Kazungula, trials on maizeâmucuna strip cropping and maizeâlablab rotations showed resilience, with farmers expressing strong interest in growing more fodder and advancing seed multiplication for these crops.
Her reality on-farm
For Lydia, these trials are more than researchâthey are a valuable tool for transformation. What impressed her most was the maizeâlablab rotation. âItâs a game changer for me,â she says. âLablab suppresses weeds, improves the soil, and even the leaves and pods are useful to eat as relish.â Although lablab is primarily cultivated as animal feed, Lydiaâs family has started to enjoy lablab as part of their diet, reducing food costs and increasing nutrition.
In addition, the strip cropping of alternating four rows of narrowly planted maize with four legume rows has also impressed her, especially in terms of weed management. âWeeds are easier to manage, and although armyworm damage is present, it is not destructive,â she explains.
Her determination has grown with each season. Last year, Lydia harvested just 50 bags of maize from scattered parts of her trial field. But instead of pulling back, she leaned in. This season, with better planning and deeper knowledge, she expects to harvest up to 300 bagsâenough to feed her household of seven and still have a surplus to sell.
Lydiaâs story highlights how participatory research can empower farmers to lead change from the ground up. With access to the right knowledge, support, and tools, she is not merely surviving uncertain seasonsâshe is farming with purpose.
CIMMYT is pleased to announce the appointment of Flavio Breseghello as the new Director of the Global Wheat Program. A renowned wheat breeder and leader in agricultural research, Breseghello will guide CIMMYTâs flagship wheat initiative at a pivotal moment for global food security.Â
âCIMMYTâs wheat program has long been a cornerstone of global food security,â said Breseghello. âIâm honored to contribute to this legacy, while helping shape its future in the face of new challenges.âÂ
With over two decades of experience advancing wheat research in Brazil and internationally, Breseghello brings scientific expertise and strategic vision to the role. His appointment underscores CIMMYTâs commitment to science-driven innovation that responds to evolving global needsâparticularly in low- and middle-income countries where wheat is a staple crop and climate resilience is increasingly urgent.Â
âClimate change is reshaping the risks and realities for wheat farmers in low- and middle-income countries,â Breseghello said. âOur challengeâtogether with our partnersâis to stay ahead of these threats with science that is inclusive, adaptive, and driven by the needs of the most vulnerable.âÂ
CIMMYTâs Global Wheat Program is at the forefront of developing high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant wheat varieties that feed over 2.5 billion people around the world. As director, Breseghello will lead efforts to strengthen international research collaboration, expand capacity building, and ensure the programâs innovations reach those who need them most.Â
âFlavio is a globally respected leader whose deep experience and inclusive approach will be a tremendous asset to the program and to the global wheat community,â said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT. âWe are thrilled to welcome him to this vital role.âÂ
