The development and promotion of quality protein maize in Sub-Saharan Africa: progress report 2003

Abstract

Quality Protein Maize (QPM) development and promotion activities have grown tremendously in Africa during 2003. The strong support from the Nippon Foundation is being complemented through synergies with various other regional projects, resulting in impressive achievements only partially reported herein. Finally, QPM country working groups in several countries are functioning, albeit with varying success, to coordinate stakeholder activities toward achieving greater impact in their respective countries. Five complementary projects are especially crucial to the success of this Nippon Foundation QPM project: 1. The WECAMAN (West and Central Africa Maize Network) network, whose Research Committee has ensured transparency and regional ownership of QPM research activities and grant allocation in the West and Central Africa sub-region. 2. The ECAMAW (East and Central Africa Maize Network) network, which has performed a similar role in the eastern and central Africa sub-region. 3. The SADLF (Southern Africa Drought and Low Soil Fertility) network, which has performed a similar role in the southern Africa sub-region. 4. The QPM-D project for eastern Africa, funded CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency), has provided strong support to socio-economic, nutrition and QPM dissemination activities. 5. The QPM project funded by the Rockefeller Foundation enables eastern African National Program scientists to convert to QPM their preferred OPVs. In addition to the above five projects, the Harvest Plus project will begin in 2004 to develop maize (and other crops) with enhanced pro-vitamin A, iron and zinc content. Considerable opportunities for synergies will need to be developed between QPM and Harvest Plus activities, particularly related to nutritional advocacy and dissemination of nutritionally enhanced varieties. This report describes a selection of QPM-related activities conducted during 2003. Although QPM research and development efforts are still growing, it is already impossible to discuss all of the work that is ongoing. Two sections of this report may be particularly helpful to assist the reader in gaining an overview of the QPM activities: 1) Highlights of 2003 activities are presented in the “Highlights” section, and 2) progress toward achieving the milestones stated in the QPM workplan for 2003 is summarized in the section entitled “Achievement of 2003 milestones.” This report was prepared by more than one dozen scientists from CIMMYT, IITA, and National Programs of several countries, whereas the work reported herein involved hundreds of partners and stakeholders (e.g. farmers, extension workers, nutritionists, food technologists, economists, agronomists, plant breeders, field technicians, NGO personnel, policy makers, and more). The QPM stakeholders and beneficiaries of this project take this opportunity to thank the Nippon Foundation for its support of this work.