Download - Maize

Increased capacity of partner institutions to conduct adaptive agronomy research that applies the
principles of conservation agriculture.
Strengthened professional capacity of national agricultural research and extension systems,
emerging seed companies, nongovernmental organizations and community‐based organizations to
undertake and promote production of quality maize seed.
Strengthened professional research capacity of national agricultural research and extension system
partners to design and manage sustainable, efficient long‐term maize breeding programs and
agronomy research.
Enhanced plant breeding curricula at universities and other educational institutions in target
developing countries.
Strengthened regional and global networks of maize scientists, and international collaboration
among research and academic institutions.
Improved and updated biosafety regulations in place in more than 10 developing countries.
Key milestones – annual
Infrastructure (enabling increased efficiency in developing new maize varieties with abiotic and
biotic stress tolerance/resistance and improved nutritional quality) strengthened/established in two
target countries each year for implementing the MAIZE research agenda in SIs 4–8.
At least three learning modules/materials developed annually in key areas of maize research‐fordevelopment,
using diverse formats (including multimedia) and made publicly available.
At least five in‐country/regional courses and two international courses conducted annually for
training at least 150 researchers from national agricultural research and extension systems, the
private sector, and other stakeholders.
At least three technological packages (multi‐format extension materials) developed every year.
Development partners from NGOs, CBOs, farmer associations and other entities updated
annually/biannualy on new technologies available for massive dissemination.
Regulatory and technical capacity of at least two developing countries improved annually.
Other issues
Gender
Given the inadequate number of women in agricultural sciences, in particular in postgraduate and
higher positions, and also that many national research system scientists are close to retirement, this SI
will have a distinct gender focus, and strive to proactively foster the participation of women and young
professionals in MAIZE capacity‐strengthening activities.
References
FAO 2005. Plant breeding and related biotechnology capacity assessments. (http://gipb.fao.org/Web‐FAO‐
PBBC/index.cfm?where=01).
Langyintuo, A.S., Mwangi, W., Diallo, A.O., MacRobert, J., Dixon, J. and Banziger, M. 2008. An analysis of the
bottlenecks affecting the production and deployment of maize seed in eastern and southern Africa. 36 p.
CIMMYT, Harare (Zimbabwe).
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