The CGIAR Research Program on Maize 2018 Annual Report

Abstract

As you will read in this report, MAIZE and partners have made great strides in 2018 combatting major pest and disease challenges such as maize lethal necrosis (MLN) and the devastating fall armyworm (FAW). MAIZE researchers found that sustainable intensification practices in combination with stress tolerant maize led to higher yield gains during the El Nino year in Southern Africa. Meanwhile, a crop growth modeling study quantified the impact of climate change on maize and found combined drought and heat stress tolerance has a benefit at least twice that of either one alone. None of this work would be possible without the generous and continued support from our funders, in particular, stable CGIAR Window 1 and 2 funding. The CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE) receives W1&W2 support from the Governments of Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (DFID), United States (USAID) and the World Bank. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to all MAIZE partners, funders and stakeholders for their active participation and support. We hope you enjoy this year’s Annual Report as we look back upon our outcomes and achievements in 2018, while working towards enhancing our impact in 2019 and beyond.