Download - Maize

The portfolio of Strategic Initiatives will substantially increase the sustainability, resilience, and diversity
of maize‐based farming systems, reduce the need for maize area expansion, and also provide
germplasm, tools and know‐how to the new generation of women and men professionals who will help
extend impacts. It will provide advice to policy makers on how better to respond to maize price‐market
fluctuations, with implications for more stable food prices. Broader impacts include:
Environment: Increased land, fertilizer and water‐use efficiencies; improved soil health; reduced soil
erosion and flash flooding; reduced water pollution; increased carbon sequestration and reduced
fuel use; increased deployment of maize genetic diversity; reduced need for farmers to expand
maize area into forests and hill slopes; greater crop diversity.
Health: Reduced health risks from mycotoxins and pesticide misuse; improved nutrition.
Equity: More equitable access to knowledge, technologies, and opportunities for countries,
institutions and disadvantaged groups(in particular women) in the developing world; reduced need
for imports and food aid; greater dignity for people in drought‐affected areas; reduced drudgery for
women; increased schooling for children; strong and diverse participation in value chains and
innovation by local companies.
Resilience: Increased resilience from diversified income and reduced downside risk.
Leverage: Catalytic effects on upstream research with downstream benefits in breeding programs
including spillovers to non‐maize R&D; stimulation of innovation in national research systems, local
entrepreneurs, development partners and farmers; science‐based information to policy and decision
makers.
30