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, ...

A new study published in Nature Food is urging policymakers, researchers, and development partners to rethink agricultural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa by prioritizing what it terms “Crops that Nourish” — crops that deliver nutrition, climate resilience, soil health, and cultural relevance. The interdisciplinary research argues that decades of agricultural investment have focused overwhelmingly on staple ...

CIMMYT’s new Bambey greenhouse accelerates advanced research and breeding for key dryland crops, driving resilient and nutrition-focused innovations across West and Central Africa By CIMMYT Bambey, Senegal – 2025. A major milestone for agricultural research and food security in West and Central Africa was reached today with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art greenhouse at the ISRA–CNRA research ...

Drought and insect infestations present severe risks to food security for over 300 million Africans reliant on maize as a staple crop. With climate change exacerbating these issues, maize yields have declined by 17–25% annually due to persistent drought conditions. This problem is further aggravated by pests, particularly those thriving in dry environments. In Kenya, ...

Victor Munakabanze in his field sharing his scaling story with scientists and district agriculture officers (Photo: CIMMYT) Each annual field tour offers a fresh perspective on the realities farmers face. It’s a window into how different agroecological conditions shape farming experiences and outcomes, revealing what works in farmers’ fields and what doesn’t under an increasingly ...

Crops struggling to grow in drought conditions, Bihar (Photo: Moben Ignatius/CIMMYT) Agriculture is one of the sectors most affected by droughts, which can last for months or even years. In Bihar, where rain-fed agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for many, droughts can be devastating for rural farmers. The growing threat of climate change to crop production and ...

As climate challenges intensify, a groundbreaking initiative is underway to revolutionize millet production in sub-Saharan Africa, leveraging the crop’s resilience and nutritional benefits to ensure sustainable food systems. A multi-faceted approach to enhancing millet production sets the stage for future initiatives and research aimed at realizing the full potential of millets in Africa. As the ...

With the right mix of policy support, technological innovation, and market development, millets have the potential to become the cornerstone of Africa’s resilient and sustainable agricultural future. In a landmark initiative to bolster sustainable agriculture and food security, the consultative workshop ‘Bottlenecks to Expansion of Pearl and Finger Millets in Africa’ marked a pivotal step ...

Premised on sharing best practices and charting a way forward towards harnessing appropriate scale mechanization, CIMMYT led an engaging meeting with key stakeholders in Zambia. By Kudzanai Chimhanda Smallholder farmers in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe use a multi-crop thresher for the faster processing of wheat. (Photo: CIMMYT) To foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, CIMMYT hosted a 2-day workshop ...