CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is a leading international agricultural research organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable food security through the improvement of maize (corn) and wheat — two of the world’s most important staple crops. Headquartered near Mexico City, Mexico, CIMMYT operates as a global centre of excellence in agricultural innovation, conducting scientific research, breeding, and technology dissemination to increase productivity, resilience, and sustainability in farming systems across the developing world.

Historical Background

CIMMYT traces its origins to the mid-20th century, when the world faced serious food shortages and concerns over agricultural productivity. It was officially established in 1966 as an independent, non-profit research and training organisation. Its creation was built upon the success of earlier collaborative programmes between the Government of Mexico and the Rockefeller Foundation, initiated in 1943, to enhance maize and wheat production in Mexico.
One of the most significant figures in CIMMYT’s history was Dr Norman E. Borlaug, an American agronomist who developed high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties of wheat during his work with CIMMYT’s precursor programmes. His contributions to global food security earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 and positioned CIMMYT at the centre of the Green Revolution — a period marked by dramatic increases in agricultural productivity across Asia and Latin America.

Mission and Objectives

CIMMYT’s mission is to improve the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers by developing and promoting technologies that increase agricultural productivity and sustainability. The organisation’s work focuses on both maize and wheat, crops that together provide about 30% of global food calories and 20% of protein intake.
Its core objectives include:

• Developing high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties of maize and wheat.
• Enhancing disease and pest resistance to protect crops and reduce losses.
• Promoting sustainable and resource-efficient farming systems.
• Supporting smallholder farmers through technology transfer, training, and partnerships.
• Preserving and utilising genetic diversity for future crop improvement.
• Addressing global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and malnutrition.

Through its multidisciplinary approach, CIMMYT integrates genetics, agronomy, socioeconomics, and data science to design innovative solutions for global agricultural systems.

Organisational Structure and Global Presence

CIMMYT operates as one of the 15 international research centres that make up the CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) — a global partnership that conducts research for a food-secure future.
Its headquarters are located in El Batán, Mexico, with major research facilities at Obregón (Sonora, Mexico) and Nairobi (Kenya). CIMMYT also maintains regional offices, field stations, and collaborative programmes in over 100 countries, including India, Bangladesh, China, Turkey, Ethiopia, Nepal, and others.
The organisation works through a network of scientists, breeders, agronomists, data specialists, and development partners, collaborating with national agricultural research systems, universities, private sector institutions, and international agencies.

Research Areas and Programmes

CIMMYT’s research covers a wide spectrum of scientific and practical domains designed to enhance productivity while conserving natural resources.

1. Genetic Improvement:
   • Development of improved maize and wheat varieties with traits such as drought tolerance, heat resistance, and pest or disease resilience.
   • Use of molecular breeding, genomics, and bioinformatics to accelerate breeding processes.
   • Maintenance of one of the world’s largest collections of maize and wheat genetic resources, safeguarding biodiversity for future breeding efforts.
2. Sustainable Intensification of Farming Systems:
   • Promotion of conservation agriculture, which emphasises minimal soil disturbance, crop rotation, and soil cover to maintain fertility and reduce erosion.
   • Development of integrated farming practices to improve resource use efficiency, such as precision agriculture and nutrient management.
3. Climate Change Adaptation:
   • Breeding of climate-smart crops that can withstand extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods.
   • Use of modelling and forecasting tools to assess future risks and guide adaptive strategies.
4. Pest and Disease Management:
   • Research on major crop diseases such as wheat rusts (stem rust, stripe rust, and leaf rust) and maize lethal necrosis.
   • Implementation of disease surveillance networks for early detection and control.
5. Socioeconomic and Policy Research:
   • Study of agricultural markets, rural livelihoods, and adoption patterns to ensure that technological innovations reach smallholder farmers effectively.
   • Guidance for evidence-based policymaking to promote food security and equitable development.
6. Mechanisation and Technology Dissemination:
   • Development of small-scale farm machinery suitable for resource-poor farmers.
   • Partnerships with local entrepreneurs for seed production and distribution.

Major Achievements

CIMMYT’s contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on global agriculture:

• Green Revolution Leadership: The centre’s high-yielding wheat varieties contributed to massive productivity increases in countries such as India, Pakistan, and Mexico, helping to avert famine in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Improved Maize Varieties: Development of hybrid and open-pollinated maize varieties adapted to diverse agro-climatic conditions across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Disease Resistance: Continuous development of wheat lines resistant to evolving diseases such as Ug99, a virulent strain of stem rust threatening global wheat production.
• Conservation Agriculture: Promotion of sustainable practices that have improved soil health, reduced carbon emissions, and enhanced water-use efficiency.
• Capacity Building: Training of thousands of scientists, extension workers, and farmers worldwide in modern agricultural methods.
• Partnerships in India: CIMMYT has collaborated extensively with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other national institutes to improve wheat productivity, develop zero-till farming technologies, and enhance food security in South Asia.

Role in Global Food Security

CIMMYT’s work is fundamental to ensuring global food and nutrition security. Maize and wheat are staple foods for billions of people; their stability and productivity directly influence the livelihoods of farmers and the economic health of developing nations.