Suresh Lingadahalli Mahabaleshwara (Suresh L.M.), a leading scientist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), has been awarded the Africa Region Food Security Leadership Award for his decade-long contributions to combating maize lethal necrosis (MLN) across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tackling a Transboundary Threat

First detected in Kenya in 2011, MLN rapidly spread to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, the DRC, and Burundi, threatening maize harvests and exposing weaknesses in breeding pipelines and seed systems. Suresh’s leadership helped transform this crisis into a structured, science-driven regional response.

Building Resilience in Maize

Under Suresh’s direction, CIMMYT’s MLN screening facility in Naivasha, Kenya, became a global hub for phenotyping maize germplasm. Over 280,000 entries were screened, contributing to 20+ MLN-tolerant hybrids released across Eastern Africa. Advanced seed decontamination techniques prevented disease spread, ensuring over 100,000 virus-free germplasm samples were safely shared across more than 20 countries.

Strengthening Regional Systems

Suresh’s program also enhanced plant health capacity:

• 19,000 samples analyzed in coordinated surveillance across 10 countries
• Training for 9,000+ scientists, inspectors, and postgraduate students
• Improved early warning systems for disease outbreaks

These systems proved critical during Zambia’s 2024 maize crisis, where emergency imports from Tanzania were managed without introducing MLN, safeguarding food supply.

From Local Roots to Regional Impact

Suresh’s early farming experience in southern India, combined with decades in the seed sector, informed his practical approach to MLN. His work accelerated regional collaboration, strengthened breeding pipelines, and improved plant health systems, leaving a lasting legacy in African food security.

The award underscores a decade of scientific excellence, cross-border coordination, and sustainable impact, transforming how Africa responds to plant disease threats.

I can also create a shorter, punchy version for social media or a newsletter, highlighting key stats like “280,000 germplasm entries screened” and “20+ MLN-tolerant hybrids released.”