The CIMMYT Science Powering Africa’s Maize Revolution

06 November 2025, Africa: Around 10,000 years ago, agriculture began a quiet revolution that reshaped societies, economies, and the planet itself. Since then, the world has never been the same. Yet as civilizations evolved, food itself became more than sustenance; it became a powerful tool. From the earliest empires to today’s global markets, the ability to grow, store, and distribute food has often determined who thrives, and who goes hungry. 

Today, climate change forces us to rethink our relationship with the Earth. The planet is calling for new, more sustainable ways of growing food, smarter use of water, healthier soils, and stronger protection against insects, pests and diseases that threaten our crops and the environment itself. With growing populations and increasing vulnerability to climate change, adaptation has become imperative. Science now stands as a unique and powerful tool to shape the future of our food systems, where building resilience is no longer optional. 

CIMMYT’s Maize Journey

For over 50 years, our work with maize has been rooted in a mission to confront one of humanity’s greatest challenges: food security. What began as a small initiative to improve maize for smallholder farmers has grown into a global effort that continues to shape lives, landscapes, and futures. 

From the early vision of pioneers like Ernest W. Sprague, who unified CIMMYT’s maize program in the 1970s, to today’s breakthroughs in drought tolerance and climate resilience, CIMMYT’s journey with maize is one of constant innovation, collaboration, and service to farmers. From the drylands of Zimbabwe to the hills of Kenya and the plains of Zambia, these resilient seeds have transformed lives. What began as a mission to improve maize yields has become a global movement to safeguard food security in a changing world. 

A recent CNN feature on maize and climate change in Africa spotlighted the remarkable progress in developing drought-tolerant varieties that are transforming smallholder farming. Much of this success stems from decades of CIMMYT-led research and partnerships. From breeding and testing to farmer training and seed delivery, CIMMYT has been at the heart of these innovations, ensuring that science serves those most affected. 

Drought-tolerant maize is the result of decades of research to help farmers maintain productivity amid climate-induced stresses such as heat and water scarcity. Its development combines traditional breeding with advanced scientific tools to identify and strengthen the traits that allow maize to withstand dry conditions. 

CIMMYT and its partners ensure these varieties perform reliably before they reach farmers’ fields. With new technologies, scientists continue to refine and accelerate the creation of maize that can withstand increasingly unpredictable climates. Each improved variety represents years of collaboration, testing, and innovation, turning scientific progress into tangible gains for global communities. 

Harvesting the Results

Today, CIMMYT’s maize innovations are reaching millions. Working with partners across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the center has contributed to the development and release of more than 160 drought-tolerant maize varieties, seeds that yield up to 30% more grain under drought stress than conventional varieties. These efforts have already benefited an estimated 8.6 million people, helping them secure food and income despite erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. Behind every statistic lies a story of resilience, proof that decades of research and partnership deliver tangible results where they matter most: in farmers’ fields. 

And while maize remains at the core of CIMMYT’s mission, the center’s work extends far beyond it, advancing innovations in soil restoration, sustainable mechanization, pest and disease management, and the improvement of other key crops that sustain farming systems worldwide. 

These numbers are more than achievements; they represent stronger communities, nourished families, and a future where farming families can face uncertainty with hope. 

So, the next time you sit down for a meal, whether you’re sharing a plate of ugali or deciding how to prepare maize for your family dinner, remember that behind every kernel lies decades of research and collaboration safeguarding one of the world’s most important staple crops. Through science, innovation, and nutrition, CIMMYT and its partners continue to ensure that families today, and generations to come, can enjoy the harvests of resilient, sustainable maize without compromising the future of our planet. 

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