Millions of people benefit from, and are nourished by maize at every meal. This has not always been the case. The impacts of climate change and severe drought in recent years have parched millions of hectares of maize across the continent forcing families into hunger and poverty.
This is better known as "Drought-Tolerant Maize". In Africa, there are new varieties of maize that can withstand drought. Even when there is no rain, this is not a problem.
Goal: To help farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa living in drought-susceptible areas increase their maize productivity by more than 30 percent.
"Developed by the Mexico-based International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), with the support of the foundation and a broad range of other partners, these drought-tolerant maize varieties are giving African farmers powerful tools to adapt to the changing climate"(gatesfoundation.org).
The improved maize varieties are not only helping people fight hunger and malnutrition, but it helps farmers improve their income and allows them to better provide for their family. This did not happen over night. It took two decades of research and involved many governments and NGO's including seed dealers and farmers to help this materialize. This brings hope for years to come.
Progress: More than 2 million smallholder farmers in Africa are already realizing the benefits of higher yields and incomes from these new maize varieties. By 2016, the drought-tolerant maize program is expected to boost yields by as much as 30 percent, benefiting up to 40 million people.
More than 2 million smallholder farmers in Africa are already realizing the benefits of higher yields and incomes from these new maize varieties. By 2016, the drought-tolerant maize program is expected to boost yields by as much as 30 percent, benefitting up to 40 million people.
SOURCE: gatesfoundation.org
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