National production programs for introducing high-quality protein maize in developing countries

Abstract

Spurred by the needs of a protein-hungry world, maize research has moved rapidly over the past 10 years. Maize breeders, biochemists, and nutritionists have combined their efforts to develop maize varieties and hybrids that are nutritious, economical, and universally available. Sice Mertz, Bates, and Nelson reported the enhanced nutritive quality of opaque-2 maize in 1963, the potential of this high-quality-protein food source has been studied rigorously and with increasing success. Over the past few years workers have converted many diverse and variable maize populations with inherent supplies of modifiers, and they have selected for a wide range of characteristics in many environments to provide the germ plasm base for high-quality-protein varieties and hybrids. Now cooperative international testing of the new materials-at 54 sites in 24 countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas-indicates that several varieties are fast approaching commercial standards. This rapidity of progress at the research level suggests that we must now mount an effective campaign for the adoption and production of the new maize varieties on a global basis, thus sharing their benefits with the nutrient-poor-people of the world. However, we must plan well. Although there is no blueprint for a system that will match the needs of every country, some general guidelines can be proposed. Successful experiences in some countries and regions can be adapted to other areas. And, hopefully, the unsuccessful projects in some nations can be used to prevent repeat performances.