Maize production technology for the future: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

This publication provides a comprehensive and highly detailed picture of the major maize research advances and challenges in Eastern and Southern Africa since the last Regional Maize Conference held in 1996. The papers address eight major challenges: 1) challenges presented by new technologies, especially biotechnology, and the implications for African farmers; 2) challenges for breeding, particularly with respects to yield and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses; 3) the challenge of getting improved cultivars to farmers (including statistical, GIS, and tools for identifying appropriate germplasm); 4) challenges for maize entomology and pathology research; 5) seed production and supply issues, ranging from analyses of local seed supply systems to community seed production schemes; 6) breeding and agronomy research to combat Striga (an extensive review of control strategies is provided); 7) numerous approaches to managing soil fertility, crop water availability, and weed infestation (including tillage and intercropping options); and 8) increasing farmers' adoption of improved maize technologies (with an emphasis on policies and other factors affecting adoption). Taken together, these papers are a useful guide to regional research priorities and testify to the considerable range of maize research undertaken in Eastern and Southern Africa.