CIMMYT Report on maize improvement 1975

Abstract

Scientists in 45 countries throughout the world now participate directly in CIMMYT's international maize progeny, experimental variety and elite experimental variety trials. And, in 1975, CIMMYT staff visited over 40 of these nations in maize improvement roles designed to encourage further systematic testing - as field level counselors, helping with the management and analysis of trials, and in liason between agencies and countries. Field reports from these visits around the world show a remarkable similarity in some observations. Many countries, for example, have now developed advanced technology and materials sufficient to meet immediate maize requirements. But a host of barriers remain - and in the recounting of these problems, the field reports form a sort of "composite" of viewpoints from the developing countries. In the paragraphs below, we have merged many of these observations into a single hypothetical critique. We intend it as more than an exercise -with the hope that dedicated scientists around the globe can make a concentrated and systematic examination of these common restraints to maize production. CIMMYT does not presume to have the answers for such questions; however, the success of our continuing work with national maize improvement programs often hinges on the development of effective strategies to meet these challenges.