Mexico
May 2010
CIMMYT has entered into a collaborative research program to increase household and regional food security and incomes, as well as economic development, in eastern and southern Africa, through improved productivity from more resilient and sustainable maize-legume farming systems.
Known as "Sustainable intensification of maize-legume cropping systems for food security in eastern and southern Africa" (SIMLESA), the program aims to increase productivity by 30% and reduce downside risk by 30% within a decade for at least 0.5 million farm households in those countries, with spill-over benefits throughout the region.
In addition to CIMMYT, the program involves the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), and the national agricultural research systems of Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
"The demand for maize in the region is expected to increase by at least 40% over the next ten years; and the demand for legumes by 50%," says CIMMYT socioeconomist, Mulugetta Mekuria, who is leading the center's efforts under the program.
"Seasonal variability causes wide swings in food crop yields, including maize and legumes. This program will play a crucial role in reducing farmers' risk and the vulnerability of farm households."
Work is being funded with Aus$ 20 million from the Australian Government, , and forms part of the Government’s new, four-year Food Security through Rural Development Initiative.
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Australia
April 14, 2010
Source: ACIAR
Australia helps Africa boost food security
Australia is making a major contribution to help improve food security in eastern and southern Africa through a new A$20 million agricultural research and development program to substantially boost production of maize and legumes and improve market opportunities for farmers. The project was officially announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith.
The maize-legume food security program will operate in five countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, with the benefits planned to spill over into other countries in eastern and southern Africa.
Meeting food demand
Food security is a major concern in this region where more than half the population of 400 million people live in extreme poverty, and around 70 per cent depend on agriculture for their livelihood.
Maize is the staple food crop in the region, with legumes providing a valuable source of dietary protein.
Demand for maize and legumes is projected to increase substantially over coming years, but production is being held back by rainfall variability and weaknesses in crop management, varieties and value chains.
New collaborative research
To overcome these constraints a collaborative research program has been established between ACIAR, the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and national agricultural research systems in each of the five partner countries.
By involving farmers, extension agencies, non-governmental organisations and agribusinesses, the R&D program aims to lift crop productivity by 30% and also reduce year-to-year yield variation by 30% on approximately 500,000 farms within ten years.
The production gains will be made through testing and introducing conservation agriculture techniques to retain soil moisture; developing drought and disease tolerant maize and legume varieties; optimising the use of farmer resources; and identifying better input supply and marketing options for smallholders.
Support agencies
Support is being provided by a number of international agricultural research centres (including the International Center for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics - ICRISAT) Australian partners (Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, and Murdoch University) and the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa.
African scientists involved in the program will undertake short-term training and postgraduate fellowships at universities in Australia, South Africa, and within target countries to help increase the efficiency of agricultural research in southern and eastern Africa.
Australia's commitment to Africa
Australia attaches great importance to meeting the challenge of improving global food security. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most food insecure region in the world, with the proportion of people suffering from malnutrition remaining at around 30 per cent for almost four decades. To play its part in addressing this food security challenge, Australia announced in May 2009 that it will spend A$100 million over four years to address food security in Africa. The project is part of the Australian Government’s efforts to boost food security, as part of the 2009-10 Federal Budget Food Security Through Rural Development initiative.
Australia
April 14, 2010
Source: Australian Governement, AusAID
Australia will help Africa boost food security
Australia will help improve food security in eastern and southern Africa through a new $20 million program to substantially boost agricultural production and improve market opportunities for farmers.
The program will operate in five countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, with the benefits expected to spill over into other countries in eastern and southern Africa.
Food availability and access are major concerns in this region. More than half the population of 400 million people live in extreme poverty and about 70 per cent depend on agriculture. Maize is the staple food crop in the region, with legumes providing a valuable source of dietary protein.
Demand for maize and legumes is likely to increase considerably over coming years. However, poor weather conditions and weaknesses in crop management and varieties are holding back production of these important food crops.
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will work with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and national agricultural research institutes in each of the five partner countries to help boost food security in eastern and southern Africa.
Australia’s assistance will support research, testing and development of farming techniques specific to drought affected regions. It will also help develop drought and disease tolerant maize and legume varieties and educate farmers about new crop varieties and technologies.
The program aims to lift crop productivity by 30 per cent and reduce year-to-year produce variation by 30 per cent on approximately half a million farms within 10 years.
A number of agricultural research centres, including the International Center for Research in the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and partners including the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Murdoch University and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa will also provide support.
Short-term training opportunities and postgraduate fellowships will also be offered to help build the capacity of African scientists involved in the program.
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