Working with smallholders to understand their needs and build on their knowledge, CIMMYT brings the right seeds and inputs to local markets, raises awareness of more productive cropping practices, and works to bring local mechanization and irrigation services based on conservation agriculture practices. CIMMYT helps scale up farmersâ own innovations, and embraces remote sensing, mobile phones and other information technology. These interventions are gender-inclusive, to ensure equitable impacts for all.
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.
CIMMYT played a key role in advancing research on yellow rust resistance by supporting field trials in Mexico and providing access to its extensive collection of traditional wheat varieties. Through its collaboration with the University of Zurich and Kyoto University, CIMMYT contributed to the identification of novel genetic regions in Asian landraces that offer resistance to the destructive fungus. Its leadership in conserving one of the worldâs largest wheat germplasm collections continues to be vital for global efforts to develop disease-resilient wheat and safeguard food security through biodiversity.
(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
CGIARis the worldâs largest agricultural innovation network and a global leader in research for development. Over the past five decades, its investments have delivered tenfold returnsâyielding more abundant and affordable food while reducing hunger, poverty, and land use(1). Todayâs food systems face multiple, interconnected challenges â ranging from production inefficiencies and nutritional disparities to social exclusion and environmental degradation. These issues are further intensified by climate change, geopolitical instability, and systemic inequality. Tackling them demands coordinated, multisectoral responses and stronger collaboration with the public sector, particularly policymakers (2). There is a well-recognized gap between science and policy, driven in part by the technical complexity of research outputs. Policymakers often face challenges in interpreting and applying scientific findings, which hinders the uptake of evidence-based solutions. Therefore, there is a need for simplified and tailored research communication to broader audiences, particularly for policymakers in target countries.
âTo truly make a difference, research must speak the language of policy: Science without policy is just academia; policy without science is just guesswork.â
For research and innovation to effectively influence and inform policy, researchers must go beyond simply presenting evidence and engage deeply with the policy-making context. By understanding the multiple factors policymakers consider and by building genuine and trust-based partnerships, researchers can significantly improve the chances that their work will shape and inform effective, actionable policy (3).
What a researcher should know for effective science-policy communication
To communicate effectively with policymakers, researchers must understand the broader policymaking context and constraints faced by decision-makers responsible for crafting and implementing policy in a target country. Policymakers weigh multiple dimensions â political, economic, social, and logistical â before adopting innovations. Successful research-to-policy translation hinges on addressing these dimensions holistically.
Key dimensions policymakers consider
Political Acceptability: Innovations must align with current political agendas and priorities to secure regulatory and financial support. Political will and leadership are often decisive enablers â without them, even the most technically sound innovations may stall.
Social Desirability: Policies are more likely to succeed when they address pressing societal needs, resonate with public values, and enhance quality of life. Public support and broad adoption are essential for long-term sustained impact.
Technical Feasibility: Innovations should be practical, scalable, and implementable with available technologies and systems. If an innovation is too complex, unreliable, or difficult to implement, it risks being unsustainable or rejected.
Financial Viability: Policymakers assess whether innovations are economically feasible, offer a clear return on investment, and align with existing budgetary constraints. Financial sustainability encourages both public and private sector participation.
Administrative Doability: For policy innovations to succeed, they must be implementable within current administrative systems. Clear procedures for implementation and monitoring are essential. Administrative complexity can be a significant barrier.
Judicial Tenability: Innovations must comply with existing legal frameworks. If legal adaptation is required, there must be a strong, evidence-based justification to support such changes and ensure alignment with constitutional or regulatory standards.
Emotional Relatability: Innovations that resonate emotionally by addressing peopleâs concerns, fears, and aspirations are more likely to gain public acceptance.
Environmental Sustainability: Minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency are increasingly important, as policymakers face mounting pressure to support long-term ecological balance.
Challenges in Research-Policy Engagement
Limited interactions and weak personal engagement between researchers and policymakers result in infrequent use of empirical evidence in policymaking.
Significant differences exist in decision-making processes, norms, and cultures between researchers and policymakers.
Additional barriers include differing institutional cultures, and a lack of incentives or training for effective policy engagement.
Effective Strategies for Bridging the Gap
Training researchers to understand the policymaking process, improve communication, and build relationships with policymakers.
Combining direct instruction (didactic training) and experiential learning (hands-on engagement) to reinforce both knowledge and practical engagement is most effective.
A structured approach designed to build researchersâ policy competencies and support policy engagement through iterative phases, including policy priority identification, network development, training, and ongoing collaboration.
Prioritize continuous feedback, relationship building, and responsiveness to current policy needs.
Research institutions should adjust incentive structures (such as tenure and promotion criteria) to recognize and encourage policy engagement.
Institutions should support research activities that directly align with policy priorities and opportunities.
Effectively translating research into policy is an interactive and collaborative process. Building trust, keeping communication open, and forming strong relationships with policymakers are key to success. Engaging early, particularly during the agenda-setting stage, helps ensure that research tackles relevant policy issues and anticipates potential implementation challenges.
Involving policymakers and stakeholders through co-design enhances the relevance and utility of research findings. This approach helps identify potential barriers, align expectations, and build shared ownership of both the research and the resulting policies.
Researchers must tailor their communication for policy audiences by turning complex evidence into clear, practical messages. Using data alongside compelling stories can build trust and encourage engagement, making the case for innovation more convincing.
Understanding the broader policy environment is critical. Researchers should understand the institutional, legal, and administrative context in which policy decisions occur. Identifying key policy actors and knowing their roles, motivations, and limitations is essential for effective engagement.
Practical Strategies for Researchers
Engage policymakers early and regularly to co-create research agendas and ensure the work remains relevant.
Build long-term relationships grounded in trust and mutual understanding.
Communicate findings clearly in policy-relevant terms, combining data with compelling narratives.
Show how the innovation tackles pressing local issues and has the potential to scale effectively.
Identify and address possible barriers â political, financial, administrative, legal, and social â before recommending policy adoption.
CIMMYT in Bangladesh is actively engaging with policymakers. As part of the ongoing research project Transforming Smallholder Food Systems in South Asia (RUPANTAR), we explored the political economy of policies for sustainable agriculture in Bangladesh. The findings were published in an international peer-reviewed journal to share insights with policymakers. The article attracted only around 80 readers â mostly researchers. In contrast, a simplified policy brief based on the same findings reached over 1,800 readers in a few months, the majority of whom were based in Bangladesh. This highlights the importance of making research more accessible and actionable.
CGIAR is well-positioned to address these challenges. In response, CGIAR has launched its unique Scaling for Impact (S4I) program to better align research with real-world needs (4). It emphasizes demand signaling, building partnerships, understanding the policy landscape, and supporting structured scaling. In particular, S4Iâs focus areas include identifying stakeholder needs and shaping enabling policies that support CGIAR’s broader impact goals.
Thornton P, Dijkman J, Herrero M, Szilagyi L, Cramer L. Aligning vision and reality in publicly funded agricultural research for development: A case study of CGIAR. Food Policy. 2022 [cited 2025 May 11];107:102196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2021.102196Â
UNEP. Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface: a Gap Analysis. United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi; 2017.
Ruhl JB, Posner SM, Ricketts TH. Engaging policy in science writing: Patterns and strategies. Plos One.2019 [cited 2025 May 11];14(8):e0220497. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220497
CGIAR. 2024. Scaling for Impact Program: Full design document. Agenda item SC21-05a, 21st CGIAR System Council meeting, Berlin, Germany, 11-12 December 2024. Montpellier: CGIAR
Digital champions participating in a training activity in Choma (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti)
In Zambiaâs Southern Province, CIMMYTâs Atubandike[1] initiative is reshaping agricultural extension â moving beyond traditional top-down, one-size-fits-all models that have historically favored the well-resourced farmers. Instead, Atubandike promotes a more inclusive, demand-driven model that centers the voices of all farmers, regardless of gender, age, literacy level, or economic status. This shift is driven by a âphygitalâ platform that blends the strengths of in-person support with the efficiency of mobile technology.
At the heart of Atubandikeâs phygital platform are 84 local digital champions (DCs), half of whom are women, and 42% are under the age of 35. Selected by their communities, these champions embody the demographic shift that represents the future of agriculture. They are not external experts; but trusted peers and neighbors who serve as vital links between digital agricultural platforms and the people who need them most: the farmers. Their credibility, rooted in shared experience and local knowledge, is what enables them to build trust and drive meaningful change.
Ireen Chibilika practicing how to deliver a talk during the communications aspect of the trainings in Choma  (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti)
While mobile technology holds immense potential to sustainably boost agricultural productivity[2], many farmers remain digitally excluded. Â Barriers such as low literacy, limited phone access and entrenched social norms continue to hinder widespread engagement with digital advisory services [3]. Thatâs where the DCs step in – not only to introduce new tools, but to help dismantle these barriers; ensuring that no one is left behind.
A foundation of trust
In October and November 2024, Digital Champions from 14 Zambian communities gathered for a two-day, in-person workshop. This training, which complemented previous digital skills sessions, focused on co-developing two pivotal strategies: (1) building trust with farmers through effective communication and (2) addressing the complex gender, diversity, and inclusion (GDI) challenges affecting the DCs as well as the farmers they support.
Why begin with trust? Because trust is foundational to meaningful engagement. For farmers to adopt new climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices and digital platforms like Atubandike, they must have confidence-both in the messengers and the technology itself. This insight shaped the training design, which was grounded [4] in empirical studiesïżŒ and further contextualized through in-depth interviews with 36 farmers in November 2023. The resulting curriculum emphasized care, communication, and competence â not only to help DCs build trust as messengers, but also to support farmers in using their phones with confidence. By strengthening both interpersonal and digital trust, DCs play a critical role in closing the gap between farmers and the tools that can transform their livelihoods.
The training was designed and delivered through a dialogical approach encouraging open conversation and engagement by the participants throughout the learning process. Through role plays, group discussions, and real-life scenario analysis, DCs engaged deeply with the material, facilitated peer-to-peer learning, and developed a strong sense of ownership and confidence in applying their new skills.
The session explored what it means to connect meaningfully with farmers and as one female participant shared, âthe interactive nature of the training, with role plays and real-life scenarios, have given me the confidence and desire to go on and apply what I have learned in the field.â
Trust-building exercises, such as active listening and respectful communication, fostered empathy. These practices not only enhanced the DCâs ability to effectively engage with farmers â they reinforced the values that form the bedrock of inclusive community engagement.
Challenging norms and building inclusion
Trust, however, is only part of the story. True inclusion requires confronting the systemic biases that have long shaped rural agricultural systems. In Zambia, deeply rooted cultural norms often determine who gets to speak, who leads and whose voice is heard. Women, youth and the elderly frequently face significant barriers to leadership roles and are often excluded from participating in community dialogues. and their opinions often pushed aside.
Participants demonstrating how gender roles can be challenged using a drama skit (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti)
To address this, the Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) curriculum tackled exclusion head-on. Rooted in insights from 13 community engagement meetings held in mid-2024, the course content reflected the lived realities of local communities. These were not abstract concepts-they were honest, community-led conversations about barriers people face and the solutions they envision.
One male Digital Champion reflected: âIn our communities, farming tasks like milking, planting, and weeding are often tied to gender. But moving forward, we will encourage our fellow farmers to see these as shared responsibilities.â
Female DCs also shared their personal experiences of exclusion and resilience. âBeing a woman, I have faced challenges in earning recognition as a leader,â one participant shared. âBut this training has given me confidence to lead in my community.â Â Another young mother brought her newborn to the training â an act that symbolized the very inclusion the program espouses. âYou didnât just teach about inclusion,â she said expressing her gratitude to CIMMYT. âYou demonstrated it, making sure I had support for my child so that I could focus and learn.â
An extension officer assisting a mother with her child during the training in Choma (Photo: Moono Mwiinga Sekeleti)
As the training came to a close, the DCs moved beyond theory. Together, they co-created practical strategies to address cultural resistance, promote inclusive participation, and support marginalized farmers in accessing essential agricultural resources. Â Empowered by new skills and a strong sense of ownership, they left not only informed but ready to act.
From insight to impact
Some of the most meaningful learning moments came from lived experience. In one session, a DC recounted how a shift in approach – simply listening – changed her relationship with a skeptical farmer. âHe told me that no one had really listened to him before. That act marked the moment we started working together.â
Breakthroughs emerged during the sessions on gender dynamics. Initially met with hesitation, the role-play exercises and open dialogue gradually opened space for reflection and growth. Male DCs began to recognize the value of womenâs perspectives, while female participants found renewed confidence to speak up and voice their opinions. These seemingly small shifts in mindset marked important steps toward broader social change, grounded in empathy, understanding and mutual respect.
The training also brought logistical challenges, such as the high cost of reaching remote farmers, limited phone access, and the digital divine within some households. In response, the Atubandike program introduced practical solutions, including airtime and data allowances for DCs, encouraging people to share their phones or advising farmers to borrow handsets from trusted neighbors.
To sustain this momentum, CIMMYT launched regular one-on-one check-in calls with each DC. These touchpoints offer mentorship, reflection and tailored support as DCs continue to embed trust-building and inclusive practices into their everyday work.
Looking ahead: a story of empowerment
As the sessions concluded, a new energy and sense of purpose took hold. Â DCs left not only with new skills, but with a clear commitment to act. They pledged to attend and host regular community meetings, conduct home visits for farmers unable to attend meetings and use WhatsApp groups to foster ongoing peer learning and collaboration.
This is just the beginning. The next chapter is about turning plans into practice ensuring that the digital revolution in agriculture is truly inclusive and leaves no farmer behind.
The story of digital champions in Zambia is one of empowerment. It is not only about their growth as leaders, but also about the transformation they are catalyzing in their communities. As they challenge social norms, build trust, and amplify unheard voices, they are shaping a more inclusive and resilient agricultural future.
[1]Atubandike, meaning “letâs chat” in Tonga, a local language spoken in Zambiaâs Southern Province.
[2] Fabregas, Raissa, Michael Kremer, and Frank Schilbach. 2019. âRealizing the Potential of Digital Development: The Case of Agricultural Advice.â Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay3038.
A new bioinformatics-driven tool dramatically accelerates seed purity testing, offering fast, automated parental purity checks and hybridity verificationâthereby increasing the effectiveness of breeders, seed companies, and regulators.
Waiting daysâor even weeksâto analyze Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) assay data to verify the genetic purity and hybridity of seeds and crosses may soon be a thing of the past. A new bioinformatics-driven seed purity testing pipeline significantly reduces the time required to confirm seed identity, bringing it down to just a few clicks.
The new pipeline uses DNA fingerprinting with SNPs in a fast, accurate, and scalable automated genetic analysis.
Modernizing Genetic Purity and Hybridity Testing
Traditionally, seed producers and certification agencies have relied on grow-out tests and morphological analysis to assess genetic purity. These methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring weeks or months of field or greenhouse work by trained technicians.
Although CIMMYT has long used molecular markers to verify parental purity and hybridity, challenges remainedâparticularly the lack of automated tools and integrated platforms to make the process seamless and accessible.
That is changing, thanks to software developed by Abhishek Rathore and team. The pipeline automatically compares each sampleâs genetic profile to its expected reference using a custom algorithm. Based on user-defined thresholds, the tool confirms parental purity, identifies putative F1 hybrids, and flags failed crosses.
âWe wanted a tool that breeders and seed companies can use without needing specialized bioinformatics skills,â said Abhishek Rathore, bioinformatics specialist at CIMMYT. âOnce the DNA data is generated, the analysis is push-button. The software quickly interprets the SNP results and produces an easy-to-read report on seed purity. Itâs about making advanced bioinformatics accessible and routine for parental purity and F1 verifications.â
Speedy, Automated, and User-Friendly
Early implementation of the pipeline has demonstrated large gains in speed and efficiency. What previously required extensive manual effort can now be completed in minutes.
The system is designed with user-friendliness in mind: lab technicians simply upload SNP assay results into an intuitive interface, and the pipeline returns clear metricsâsuch as â% purityââwhile flagging any off-type individuals. With the computational workload fully automated, even seed companies and labs with minimal informatics infrastructure can benefit.
âAutomation is key,â added Rathore. âBy reducing manual steps and subjective interpretation, we save time and minimize human error. You can process dozens of seed samples overnight and receive a comprehensive genetic report by morning.â
To make this automation accessible to stakeholders across NARS, CIMMYTâs biometrician Roma Das developed a user-friendly web interface, while Peter Kimathi, a bioinformatics and software developer, developed a custom report and deployed the pipeline as a web service on CIMMYTâs servers (link below).
Widespread Adoption Across Africa
Since its rollout, the pipeline has been widely adopted by CIMMYT and partners through the Africa Dryland Crops Improvement Network (ADCIN). Mohan Chejerla, Genomics Expert at CIMMYT, has already applied the pipeline to over 23,000 samples, ensuring quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) for breeding pipelines across Kenya, Uganda, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso,Ethiopia, Tanzania, Niger, Togo, Zambia, and Ghana.
This broad uptake underscores the demand for reliable, scalable seed purity testingâand the pipelineâs value for enhancing crop breeding and seed system integrity.
Above: Farmers carrying potatoes harvested from the field (Photo: TAFSSA)
Biharâs economy is driven by agriculture, which employs more than half of the workforce. With a yield of 27,654 kg per hectare from 330,000 hectares of land, Bihar accounts for 17% of Indiaâs total potato production, behind only Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. But the agricultural land is fraught with challenges: small and marginal farmers, who on average own less than 2 hectares of land, account for 97% of the landholdings. This creates less-than-ideal conditions for productive agriculture.
In Biharâs largest potato-producing belt, a plethora of challenges make farming unprofitable: bottlenecks in getting good quality seeds, unaffordability of pesticides and fertilizers, the prevalence of crop pests and diseases, poor market prices at harvest time, and inadequate knowledge of good agronomic practicesâall lead to lower net returns. Nalandaâs farmers are finding ways to make farming more profitable, productive, sustainable, and rewarding.
If this does not happen, farming will soon cease to be a lucrativeâor even viableâlivelihood.
Rita Devi inherited an acre of land after her husbandâs prolonged illness and demise during the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago.
But she canât imagine a world in which farming is a sustainable livelihood for her or future generations. âItâs hard to see profits in agriculture,â she sighs. âAs long as the land size is small, how can the profits increase? The profits remain tiny, too.â For small farmers like Rita Devi, who are financially precarious, farming is neither a lucrative livelihood nor an aspirational lifestyle.
Rita Devi saw a glimmer of hope in the form of the SFLF program when she saw some people touring the village in September 2022, talking about farming in a new light.
Aggregation as a solution to farmersâ woes
In the field, TAFSSA staff at the International Potato Center (CIP), with support from the NGO Jeevika, mobilized farmers to pilot the SFLFÂ collective action farming model.
Under the SFLF model, participating farmers organize themselves into groups to increase their collective bargaining power.
They buy inputs and secure farm services collectively from providers and achieve significant savings through bulk purchases; they improve their production practices and use quality seeds. Ultimately, their crops receive a premium for quality and volume.
The TAFSSA team planned to spread knowledge about improved farming practices among farmers and then use their collective bargaining power to procure better resources and prices. They started the initiative with training sessions.
Rajiv Ranjan, TAFSSAâs field coordinator and a farmer, said, âVarietal knowledge of seeds and crops was inadequate among farmers. They had no idea about the new varieties or how the different varieties performed.â
The training sessions combined presentations and interactive discussions with farmers, using visual aids such as photos and diagrams to enhance understanding. Key topics included field and seed preparation, high-yielding and disease-resistant crop varieties, irrigation optimization, and precision fertilizer application. Farmers also learned about preventive and reactive approaches to weed and disease management, and post-harvest handling and storage techniques.
Better seed quality means better yields. Better bargaining power helped farmers get a better price for their crop (Photo: TAFFSA)
Connecting with farmers through the Small Farmers Large Fields pilot
Rita Devi decided to attend the training sessions in December 2022 to learn more about farming and explore how this new knowledge would help her reduce the costs of farming. Her main motivation was to improve her crop yield, which would be financially rewarding.
When TAFSSA staff first entered the villages and interacted with the farmers, many of them had their doubts about the interventions. International Potato Center (CIP) staff continued to meet with farmers in the villages and explain the benefits of collective farming. In the beginning, a few large farmers joined the program, and this led to the adoption of the practices by other small farmers. Trust was built over time.
The International Potato Center (CIP) developed a comprehensive Package of Practice (PoP) with illustrations of key field operations, major pests, and diseases. Accompanied by concise guidelines on input application methods, fertilizer and pesticide dosages, and timing during the crop cycle, the PoP was translated into Hindi, printed as a leaflet, and distributed to farmers in both pilot sites. Designed as a quick reference guide, the leaflet helps farmers with all aspects of potato and seed production, including efficient pest and disease identification and management.
Rita Devi recalls receiving information on water conservation, optimizing fertilizer dosage, and pest control, all of which led to monitored and restricted input use and financial savings.
âNow we know the correct amount of fertilizer dosage, and could save money,â said Rita Devi, who joined the pilot program in the rabi season of 2023â24 and implemented lessons she learned in the training and demonstrations. The financial savings were tangible and motivated her to move forward.
One of the lessons learned by her community is how to optimize irrigation for rabi potato, which requires five to six irrigation cycles in the region. The CIP team gave clear instructions on when these cycles should take place: first light irrigation 5â10 days after planting to cover one-third of the ridge, on-demand irrigation covering half of the ridge in subsequent cycles, stopping irrigation 8â10 days before harvest, and avoiding waterlogging at all times.
Farmers engaged in growing and harvesting potatoes (Photo: TAFFSA)
Harnessing collective strengths
The SFLF initiative aimed to strengthen farmers’ bargaining power by improving supply chain integration. A key focus was to help farmers collectively procure quality inputs such as seeds and fertilizers from reliable and affordable sources. High-quality seeds were sourced directly from Punjab, replacing expensive, substandard local options. Negotiated prices and proper storage ensured that farmers in Nalanda had seamless access to these resources. Similar arrangements were made for fertilizers and pesticides.
Rita Devi is a passionate supporter of the initiative for its financial and operational benefits. âEven if no one else makes the provision, we will form a farmer group to procure seeds from Punjab,â she asserts, reflecting the project’s effectiveness. Her determination shows how collective action and better linkages can empower smallholder farmers and optimize their farming practices.
In another exercise, Rita Devi tested crop diversification. After harvesting potatoes, she planted maize and moong beans on her farm to increase her farm income.
Farmer engaged in growing and harvesting potatoes (Photo: TAFFSA)
SFLFâs tangible and intangible impact
Ranjan attests to a noticeable change in farmersâ confidence: âSFLF has helped farmers by increasing knowledge and income. Information from local experts in the village and neighbouring villages also helped the farmers. Earlier, farmers were afraid of the quality of seeds they bought from the market. With the CIP linkages, they get assured quality and variety of seeds.â
With better seed quality and improved farming practices, Ritaâs income from crops has improved. However, her profit is limited to the small plot. She is resourceful in her income generation: she plans to sell the surplus seed she has acquired to farmers during the rabi season in 2024.
Most farmers in the SFLF program have roughly doubled their incomes and net returns, after adjusting for production costs, compared to non-SFLF farmers.
Rita Devi hopes that as word spreads about the positive impact on yields and market values, more farmers will join the SFLF model. Additionally, subsequent seasons of the pilot will help refine the model to address all the prevalent issues they face.
Carolina Cortez is an agronomist specializing in agricultural parasitology and currently serves as the technical coordinator at CIMMYTâs Pacific-North Hub. Her career reflects the dedication, knowledge, and perseverance required to transform perceptions of womenâs roles in the agricultural sector.
With a strong foundation in science and a passion for sustainable farming, Carolina has become a key figure in coordinating technical efforts that support farmers across northern Mexico. Her leadership not only addresses critical challenges in crop protection and productivity but also inspires a new generation of women to pursue careers in agricultural research and innovation.
Carolina Cortez, agronomist and technical coordinator at CIMMYT, shares her experience in agriculture and female leadership in the sector, driving innovation and inclusion in the field. (Photo: Gabriela Bracamonte / CIMMYT)
From her childhood in Sinaloa, she grew up surrounded by crops such as maize, wheat, beans, and sorghum, which sparked her natural interest in agronomy. âOne of the main reasons I decided to study agronomy was the environment in which I was born. I grew up in a family of farmers where our family gatherings mainly revolved around discussions about the crops of each agricultural cycle,â she recalls. This close connection to the field led her to enroll at the Autonomous University of Chapingo, where she graduated in agronomy in 2015.
However, her career path has not been without challenges. Despite her knowledge and experience, she has encountered resistance in a sector where traditional ideas about womenâs roles in agriculture persist. âThe biggest challenge I have faced is getting both farmers and technicians to accept that a woman can oversee or implement new agricultural initiatives. The prevailing perception in some areas is still that agriculture is only for men,â she explains.
Over time, however, she has proven that ability and commitment do not depend on gender, but on preparation and dedication. âAs time goes by and we start doing experiments or involving them in field trials, once they see the results, their perspective completely changes, and they realize the need to include women in the agricultural sector,â she adds.
Throughout her career, she has witnessed a growing interest from women in agronomy, not only in technical and field work but also in administrative and managerial roles that strengthen the sector. âNot only are more women enrolling in agronomy programs, but they are also entering administrative areas that support the agricultural sector. This is essential for increasing the visibility of women in agriculture,â she says.
She also believes that the scientific advancements driven by women have been key to opening up new opportunities and challenging existing paradigms. Her work at CIMMYT as technical lead for projects in Sinaloa, in collaboration with companies such as BIMBO, Kelloggâs, and Ingredion, has been a turning point in her career. âOne of my achievements has been to serve as the technical lead for CIMMYT projects developed in Sinaloa in recent years. Additionally, I have been a lecturer in training courses on conservation agriculture, regenerative agriculture, and cover crops,â she explains.
For all these reasons, she stresses the importance of professional training and the development of communication skills for young women aspiring to enter the field of agronomy. âI encourage them not to give up on entering this beautiful profession. They should firmly establish their principles, professional integrity, and long-term goals in the agricultural sector, as these will be the foundation for seeking opportunities for integration and applying their acquired knowledge,â she advises.
Finally, she emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and building personal confidence. âI recommend that they begin professional preparation on innovative topics and develop personal confidence. Standing in front of farmers, technicians, and an audience requires fluency and confidence in speaking, which can only be achieved through knowledge and scientific support,â she concludes.
Carolinaâs story is a testament to the impact women have in agriculture and serves as an inspiration to continue promoting female leadership in a sector that is constantly evolving.
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.
When crop breeding succeeds, the impact is dramatic: improved varieties reach farmers, productivity increases, and resilience to climate change and disease improves. But breeding success doesnât happen by chance. It relies on modern facilities, cutting-edge tools, and the ability to test and select for complex, evolving traits. Thatâs where Crops to End Hunger (CtEH) comes in. At CGIAR Science Week, the project team and beneficiaries demonstrated how. Â
A project designed for exponential impactÂ
Launched in 2019, CtEH aimed to support the modernization of CGIARâs crop breeding infrastructure, with support from GIZ, the Gates Foundation, the US government, DFID, and ACIAR. As it nears the end of the most recent two-year GIZ funding cycle, the project has made targeted investments in upgrading breeding station infrastructure, equipping them with advanced tools, building capacity across CGIAR and national breeding teams, and developing the foundational systems needed to accelerate the entire breeding process.Â
Supporting CGIAR Centersâ core functionsÂ
At CGIAR Science Week, Bram Govaerts, CIMMYT Director General, explained: âCtEH is crucial for implementing CIMMYT 2030 strategy. Support has increased our breeding capacity for maize, wheat, and newly added dryland crops that complement maize and wheat cropping systems.âÂ
One example is the Groundnut Biotic Stress Screening Network, established with CtEH support. The network has strengthened the capacity of partners in Uganda and Malawi to screen for groundnut rosette disease; a devastating disease spread by aphids can result in 100% crop loss, with annual losses of over $150 million. The screening network will enable development of resistant varieties.Â
In Kenya, a $2.5 million worth infrastructure upgrade at the KALROâCIMMYT Crop Research Facility in Kiboko, has accelerated breeding cycles. This investment is enabling the development of new varieties tailored to the needs of East African farmers. Drought-tolerant maize varieties developed through work in Kenya and Zimbabwe have expanded dramatically, from just 0.5 million hectares in 2010 to 8.5 million hectares across sub-Saharan Africa today.Â
The Kiboko station is also a regional leader in pest and disease resistance. Its advanced screening capabilities for fall armyworm have led to the release of three tolerant maize hybrids, benefiting farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, and Ghana. The development of maize varieties resistant to maize lethal necrosis further demonstrates the stationâs critical role in enhancing food security across the region.Â
Operational improvements: more than bricks and mortarÂ
CtEH isnât just about infrastructure; itâs also about operational transformation which profoundly change the breeding work. For instance, as Gustavo Teixeira explains, âThe installation of reliable irrigation systems, one of CtEH’s key priorities, improves breeding efficiency in several ways. It enables off-season trials, allowing breeders to conduct multiple generations per year. It promotes plot control, ensuring uniformity across trial plots and data quality. Finally, it improves the ability to breed for drought tolerance.âÂ
In Ghana, Maxwell Asante of CSIR-CRI described how CtEH brought crop-neutral upgrades that have encouraged teams to strategically plan and align resources, enabled cost attribution to specific breeding programs, improving accountability, and fostered cross-location collaboration by making centralized services possible. Â
These operational improvements are helping CGIAR and national systems move toward truly modern breeding programs that can operate with greater precision, speed, and coordination.Â
Building for regional collaboration and innovationÂ
Bram Govaerts also emphasized that collaboration is central to the future of breeding, and that CtEH is helping to make that possible.Â
âStrategic collaborations enhance our impact by leveraging diverse resources and expertise, especially through public-private partnerships that scale research and technology transfer for agricultural transformation.âÂ
Facilities and systems funded by CtEH are helping CGIAR foster cross-disciplinary innovation and strengthen ties with governments, donors, and technology companies. This makes it easier to bridge the gap between research and real-world application – exactly what’s needed to accelerate impact.Â
Empowering women in breedingÂ
Infrastructure improvements under CtEH have considered inclusivity and gender equity.Â
Aparna Das, CIMMYT Technical Lead, explained that modernized stations have been upgraded to better support women in breeding roles – such as providing restrooms and expression rooms in remote research stations, often located far from urban centers, which help attract talent.Â
Why does this matter? Women breeders bring valuable perspectives, particularly in identifying gender-relevant traits, like cooking time, seed size, and ease of harvesting. Diverse, balanced breeding teams also tend to be more dynamic and innovative, leading to better science and more relevant products for farmers.Â
Targeting the right traitsÂ
Breeding for traits farmers need starts with the ability to test and measure those traits under real-world conditions. This can require specialized equipment.Â
Maxwell Asante emphasized that this is where CtEH makes a difference:Â
âTesting for traits is fundamental. And now, weâre not just selecting for yield – weâre breeding for disease resistance, climate resilience, cooking quality, and more. The only way to do this efficiently is through modern breeding infrastructure and processes.âÂ
Modern breeding enables scientists to combine multiple traits in a single variety and identify the best candidates with greater accuracy and confidence. This is made possible through CtEH investments in equipment and data analytics, such as Bioflow, the CtEH-funded breeding analytics pipeline developed for CGIAR and its partners.Â
Long-term impact through smart designÂ
What makes CtEH unique is its sustainability-by-design approach. The project was structured to build long-lasting capacity and to leverage investments from across CGIAR Initiatives, amplifying both the quality of upgrades and their outcomes.Â
Whether it’s enabling year-round trials, supporting new partnerships, or empowering a more diverse generation of breeders, CtEH is not just upgrading infrastructure, it’s also reshaping CGIAR and partnersâ breeding.Â
As CGIAR continues to respond to climate, nutrition, and food security challenges, projects like CtEH are making sure we have the tools, systems, and people in place to breed for tomorrow – starting today.Â
MEXICO CITY â CIMMYT and the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg ) accelerated its global partnership by launching a new WorldVeg office in Mexico at CIMMYTâs headquarters. This joint location will provide improved nutrition, soil health and earning potential for global farmers.
“When vegetables and cereals grow together, the benefits multiply for people and the planet,” said Bram Govaerts, Director General of CIMMYT.
Govaerts said he is eager to scale a proven global track record of collaboration across Mexico, Latin America and the wider world. CIMMYT and WorldVegâs partnership is already delivering results in Mexico and Central America. For years, the organizations have collaborated to improve production in the traditional milpa systemâwhere maize is grown with beans and squash, often known as the âthree sisters.â Collaboration increased yields, helped balance diets and conserved biodiversity.
The collaboration also builds on the more than 100,000 people reached in Sudan, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia through CIMMYT and WorldVeg collaboration. These joint projects have improved dietary diversity, soil health and incomes by cultivating both vegetables and cereals. In Tanzania alone, the collaboration has increased the sales of value-added products by 50%.
“This partnership represents tangible, scalable diversification options for farmers,” said Marco Wopereis, Director General of WorldVeg. “Integrating vegetables into cereal systems improves nutrition, raises incomes, and builds sustainability, beginning in Mexico and expanding globally.”
Led by WorldVeg Scientist Roland Schafleitner, the WorldVeg Mexico office in partnership with CIMMYT, local universities, research organizations and farmers will identify and promote adapted vegetable varieties suitable for smallholder production, as well as intercropping systems.
This initiative will improve supply of nutrient-rich vegetables that directly address the pressing global challenge highlighted by a 2020 FAO reportâthat over 3 billion people worldwide lack affordable access to diverse and nutritious diets.
“Whether it is in the field or on plates â cereals and vegetables go better together,” said Govaerts. “This marks an acceleration CIMMYTâs efforts to work with other organizations that share in our mission to advance a more food- and nutrition-secure world for all. We are eager to partner with other organizations that share this focus.â
The strategic alliance between CIMMYT and WorldVeg marks the first of several anticipated collaborations, transforming CIMMYTâs global headquarters into a hub for food and agricultural innovation.
CIMMYT and the World Vegetable Center inaugurate their new office at CIMMYT headquarters (Photo: CIMMYT)
About CIMMYT
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, nonprofit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrowâs problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers while working toward a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. For more information, visit: cimmyt.org.
About WorldVeg
WorldVeg is an international non-profit institute for research and development of vegetable technologies. It mobilizes resources from the public and private sectors to realize the potential of vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods. WorldVegâs improved varieties, production and postharvest methods help farmers increase vegetable harvests, raise incomes in poor rural and urban households, create jobs, and provide healthier, more nutritious diets for families and communities. Headquartered in Taiwan, it operates in 15 countries.More information: worldveg.org.
