The CIMMYT Science Powering Africa’s Maize Revolution – CIMMYT

Report on CIMMYT’s Maize Innovations and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Global food systems face unprecedented challenges from climate change, necessitating a transition towards sustainable and resilient agricultural practices. The work of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in maize innovation directly addresses these challenges, contributing significantly to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CIMMYT’s Strategic Contribution to Global Food Systems

Advancing SDG 2: Zero Hunger

For over five decades, CIMMYT’s maize program has been central to the global effort to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. The initiative focuses on improving maize for smallholder farmers, who are critical to global food production but often most vulnerable to food insecurity.

• The development of climate-resilient and nutritious maize varieties directly supports Target 2.1: ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
• By enhancing crop productivity and stability, CIMMYT helps achieve Target 2.3: doubling the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
• The promotion of resilient agricultural practices contributes to Target 2.4: ensuring sustainable food production systems.

Addressing SDG 13: Climate Action

Climate change poses a direct threat to agricultural productivity. CIMMYT’s research is a critical component of climate adaptation strategies, building resilience within food systems to withstand climate-induced shocks.

• The primary innovation, drought-tolerant maize, is a direct response to the need for climate adaptation, strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards such as drought and extreme heat.
• Scientific research combines traditional breeding with advanced tools to accelerate the creation of maize varieties capable of thriving in increasingly unpredictable climates.

Key Innovations and Quantifiable Impacts

Development and Dissemination of Drought-Tolerant Maize

The development of drought-tolerant maize is a result of decades of dedicated research and strategic partnerships. This work exemplifies the application of science and innovation, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), to solve critical development challenges.

Through extensive collaboration, as highlighted in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), CIMMYT and its partners ensure these improved varieties are rigorously tested and successfully delivered to farmers’ fields across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Measurable Outcomes and Beneficiaries

The impact of CIMMYT’s maize innovations is tangible, contributing directly to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by securing livelihoods and enhancing economic stability for farming communities.

1. Over 160 drought-tolerant maize varieties have been developed and released.
2. These varieties yield up to 30% more grain under drought stress compared to conventional varieties.
3. An estimated 8.6 million people have benefited from improved food security and income.

Broader Contributions to Sustainable Agriculture

CIMMYT’s mission extends beyond maize breeding to encompass a holistic approach to sustainable farming systems, supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Innovations in soil restoration and health.
• Development of sustainable mechanization solutions.
• Advancement of integrated pest and disease management.

Conclusion: Fostering Resilience for a Sustainable Future

CIMMYT’s work on maize is a powerful example of how targeted scientific research can generate widespread benefits that advance the global development agenda. By developing climate-resilient crops, the center strengthens food security, improves livelihoods, and builds the capacity of farming communities to adapt to climate change. These efforts are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that future generations can rely on resilient and sustainable food systems without compromising planetary health.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article’s central theme is food security, directly aligning with SDG 2. It discusses CIMMYT’s mission “to confront one of humanity’s greatest challenges: food security” by improving maize yields, developing resilient crop varieties, and ensuring families have access to food. The entire narrative revolves around safeguarding “one of the world’s most important staple crops.”

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article explicitly states that “climate change forces us to rethink our relationship with the Earth” and calls for adaptation. The development of “drought tolerance and climate resilience” in maize is a direct response to climate-induced stresses like “heat and water scarcity,” “erratic rainfall and rising temperatures.” This work aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity for agriculture, which is a core component of SDG 13.

3. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article connects agricultural improvements to economic well-being, a key aspect of SDG 1. It highlights that the innovations have helped 8.6 million people “secure food and income.” By increasing the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers, the initiative directly contributes to poverty reduction and builds the resilience of vulnerable populations against climate shocks.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article repeatedly emphasizes the importance of collaboration. It mentions “CIMMYT-led research and partnerships,” “working with partners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America,” and that each improved variety “represents years of collaboration, testing, and innovation.” This highlights the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving sustainable development, as outlined in SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.

   • The article focuses on improving maize for “smallholder farmers” and notes that the developed seeds “yield up to 30% more grain under drought stress.” This directly addresses the goal of increasing agricultural productivity. Furthermore, it states that these efforts help people “secure food and income,” aligning with the income aspect of this target.

2. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.

   • The development of “drought-tolerant maize” is a clear example of implementing resilient agricultural practices that can “withstand increasingly unpredictable climates.” The article discusses the need for “new, more sustainable ways of growing food” and innovations in “soil restoration” and “pest and disease management,” all of which are central to this target.

3. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

   • The entire initiative described in the article is a strategy for climate adaptation. By developing maize varieties that are tolerant to drought, heat, and water scarcity, CIMMYT is directly strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of farming communities to climate-related hazards like droughts and rising temperatures.

4. Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events.

   • The article highlights that the work benefits smallholder farmers who are vulnerable to climate change. By providing them with drought-tolerant seeds, the program reduces their vulnerability to “erratic rainfall and rising temperatures,” thereby building their resilience against climate-related shocks and helping them secure their livelihoods.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of climate-resilient crop varieties developed and released.

   • The article provides a specific number: “more than 160 drought-tolerant maize varieties” have been developed and released. This is a direct indicator of progress in creating resilient agricultural systems (Target 2.4) and strengthening adaptive capacity (Target 13.1).

2. Increase in agricultural yield under climate stress.

   • A quantifiable indicator of productivity (Target 2.3) is mentioned: the seeds “yield up to 30% more grain under drought stress than conventional varieties.” This metric measures the direct impact of the innovation on agricultural output in adverse conditions.

3. Number of beneficiaries from agricultural innovations.

   • The article states that these efforts have “already benefited an estimated 8.6 million people.” This number serves as a key indicator for measuring the reach and impact of the program on ending hunger (SDG 2) and building the resilience of the poor (Target 1.5).

4. Geographic scope of partnerships and collaboration.

   • While not a single number, the article implies a qualitative indicator for Target 17.6 by mentioning that CIMMYT is “Working with partners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.” The existence and breadth of these international collaborations in science and innovation are a measure of progress towards global partnerships.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cimmyt.org