{"id":11193,"date":"2026-05-15T10:29:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/?page_id=11193"},"modified":"2026-05-21T15:52:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T15:52:27","slug":"maize-improvement-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/programs\/breeding\/maize-improvement-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Programme d'am\u00e9lioration du ma\u00efs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11193\" class=\"elementor elementor-11193\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d826038 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2d826038\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25840a62 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25840a62\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21b1fc2e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"21b1fc2e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ce0d16d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ce0d16d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Maize Improvement Program &amp; Innovation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88aea20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"88aea20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"why-it-matters\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7881cd98 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7881cd98\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-447c0236 menu-wrapper-parent e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"447c0236\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-221b4ee6 left-menu-arrow elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"221b4ee6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M34.52 239.03L228.87 44.69c9.37-9.37 24.57-9.37 33.94 0l22.67 22.67c9.36 9.36 9.37 24.52.04 33.9L131.49 256l154.02 154.75c9.34 9.38 9.32 24.54-.04 33.9l-22.67 22.67c-9.37 9.37-24.57 9.37-33.94 0L34.52 272.97c-9.37-9.37-9.37-24.57 0-33.94z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a0339f7 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-none elementor-nav-menu__align-center scrolling-menu-container elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"4a0339f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-caret-down\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 320 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M31.3 192h257.3c17.8 0 26.7 21.5 14.1 34.1L174.1 354.8c-7.8 7.8-20.5 7.8-28.3 0L17.2 226.1C4.6 213.5 13.5 192 31.3 192z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-4a0339f7\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10358\"><a href=\"#why-it-matters\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Why it Matters<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10361\"><a href=\"#focus-areas\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Focus Areas<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10376\"><a href=\"#impact\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Activities &#038; Achievements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10380\"><a href=\"#impact-cases\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Impact<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10378\"><a href=\"#resources\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10379\"><a href=\"#news\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-4a0339f7\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10358\"><a href=\"#why-it-matters\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Why it Matters<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10361\"><a href=\"#focus-areas\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Focus Areas<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10376\"><a href=\"#impact\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Activities &#038; Achievements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10380\"><a href=\"#impact-cases\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Impact<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10378\"><a href=\"#resources\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10379\"><a href=\"#news\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e47d882 right-menu-arrow elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"3e47d882\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1dbd8e elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-progress-tracker\" data-id=\"d1dbd8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;relative_to&quot;:&quot;entire_page&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"progress-tracker.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-scrolling-tracker elementor-scrolling-tracker-horizontal elementor-scrolling-tracker-alignment-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"current-progress\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"current-progress-percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-180419a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"180419a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b45a6db e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b45a6db\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7275342b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7275342b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why the Maize improvement Program<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bd17de6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bd17de6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Climate change and pest invasion are intensifying production risks for farmers. Many communities face declining yields, recurrent and severe drought, invasive pests, parasitic weeds, poor soil fertility, and limited access to quality seeds of improved varieties. By developing improved maize varieties and hybrids that withstand multiple stresses, the program helps farmers:<\/p><ul><li>Secure stable yields under harsh conditions \u2013 drought, fall armyworm, Striga, etc.<\/li><li>Improve household nutrition and food security.<\/li><li>Strengthen livelihoods and resilience.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71494a5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"71494a5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12c77f63 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"12c77f63\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-229cb40f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"229cb40f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Prof-John-Derera.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11216\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Prof-John-Derera.png 200w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Prof-John-Derera-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Prof-John-Derera-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71af7a9d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"71af7a9d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6801cdda elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6801cdda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Prof John Derera<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66e8bfb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"66e8bfb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Head of Maize Breeding &amp; Innovation<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b1c0bb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b1c0bb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>j.derera@cgiar.org<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55b7adfe e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"55b7adfe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea93b2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ea93b2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"638\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11202\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize.png 638w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76e74752 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"76e74752\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-639ca5ea elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"639ca5ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dbc644a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dbc644a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Advancing Nutritional and Climate-Resilient Maize for Africa<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53607fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53607fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Africa faces a growing challenge of food insecurity driven by poverty, malnutrition, and climate stress. Maize is a staple crop for millions, providing up to 50% of daily caloric intake in many countries. However, increasing drought, heat, soil degradation, and pest outbreaks threaten maize productivity and farmer livelihoods. \u00a0<\/p><p>The IITA Maize Improvement Program (MIP) develops high-performing, climate-resilient maize varieties, hybrids and inbred line parents that improve productivity, nutrition, and resilience for smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a7c58e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a7c58e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Objective<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45e0008 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45e0008\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To develop and deliver productive, high-yielding, climate-resilient <strong>maize open-pollinated varieties, hybrids <\/strong>and<strong> parent-inbred lines<\/strong> tailored to diverse agro-ecologies, farmers&#8217; needs and market preferences across sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3025d21e elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"3025d21e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"focus-areas\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-599fc6c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"599fc6c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bbe1462 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5bbe1462\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Focus Areas<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-135c6d06 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"135c6d06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Enhancing the performance of agricultural value chains through market systems development, private sector partnerships, and <br \/>scalable agribusiness solutions that improve livelihoods and food security.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bf244b9 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3bf244b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-302b07d9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"302b07d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e88e149 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3e88e149\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58c6d222 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"58c6d222\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Productivity &amp; Yield<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d2b4bdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d2b4bdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Improving grain yield and agronomic performance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2208e448 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2208e448\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34c1f534 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"34c1f534\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35876b3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35876b3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Stress Tolerance<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc86599 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc86599\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Tolerance to drought, heat, insect pests, diseases, mycotoxin, Striga, and low soil fertility.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3572a73a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3572a73a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-388ea09b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"388ea09b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11dd92d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11dd92d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Biofortification<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-553ae8df elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"553ae8df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Enhancing provitamin A, iron, and zinc content to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve human nutrition.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ce3c9e9 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ce3c9e9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f3f318b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f3f318b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-401fef9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"401fef9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41b85d16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"41b85d16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Adaptation<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-121ec3b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"121ec3b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Development of varieties targeting specific agro-ecological zones.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ccbedc3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ccbedc3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f2b5033 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5f2b5033\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-779a0fcd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"779a0fcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Seed systems and delivery<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23927fb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"23927fb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Strengthening delivery through provision of breeder seed of parents of hybrids and open pollinated varieties<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c7b5d7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"4c7b5d7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f9e8a63 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f9e8a63\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1280\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-103b0cf1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"103b0cf1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-601074af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"601074af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>backstopping to the partners including National Agricultural Research &amp; Extension Systems (NARES) and private seed companies to scale up seed production and ensure wide dissemination of seeds of improved open-pollinated maize varieties and hybrids.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9064a08 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9064a08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74b77b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"74b77b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c16c28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c16c28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Capacity <\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70eefcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70eefcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>strengthening partners&#8217; capacity through breeding germplasm exchange, people&#8217;s development and training.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c186489 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"7c186489\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"impact\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54b46b2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"54b46b2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2005642d elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"2005642d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"key-projects\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bbaa0c8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7bbaa0c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-681a8661 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"681a8661\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69832835 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"69832835\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53fdfd7d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"53fdfd7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-459482b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"459482b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key Activities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2675c20f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2675c20f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IITA maize program drives innovation through integrated activities including:<\/p><ul><li><strong><strong>Breeding &amp; Testing Pipelines:<\/strong><\/strong><p>Development of yellow, orange and white maize hybrids, inbred lines, and improved open-pollinated varieties tested across diverse environments.<\/p><\/li><li><strong>\u00a0Capacity Building:<\/strong><p>Training students, researchers, scientists, technicians, extension agents, and seed producers.<\/p><\/li><li><strong><strong>Seed Systems Development:<\/strong><\/strong><p>Partnerships to produce and distribute quality seeds.<\/p><\/li><li><strong><strong>Farmer Engagement:<\/strong><\/strong><p>On-farm trials are conducted through a structured public-private network, with the IITA maize program providing smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa a range of valuable new varieties to experiment with and learn about.<\/p><\/li><li><strong>Seeds Exchange:\u00a0<\/strong>germplasm deployment through Regional Variety Trials, and Inbred Line Trials.<\/li><li><strong>Innovation &amp; Tools: <\/strong>Use genomic selection, molecular markers, doubled haploid technology, and digital phenotyping tools.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20c6a9e5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"20c6a9e5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a2a987c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a2a987c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58ea273 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"58ea273\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Achievements<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0306b98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0306b98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Over the past 25 years, the IITA maize program achievements include:<\/p><ul><li>250+ maize varieties released across Africa, about 40% with tolerance to drought, <em>Striga hermonthica<\/em>, and low soil nitrogen.<\/li><li><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Millions of smallholder farmers reached<\/li><li>Multi-country testing networks established<\/li><li>Seed of inbred lines shared annually<\/li><li>Extensive capacity building across Sub-Saharan Africa<\/li><li>Hundreds of private seed companies and National Research and Extension System partners engaged.<\/li><li>Dozens of regional maize variety and inbred line trials distributed annually.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48968bbe elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"48968bbe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"impact-cases\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14889efb elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"14889efb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"impact\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11ddec93 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"11ddec93\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42e722a1 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"42e722a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b4b614b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b4b614b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IMPACT CASES<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bb4a0cf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7bb4a0cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bb16dd6 elementor-pagination-type-progressbar elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-carousel\" data-id=\"1bb16dd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;carousel_items&quot;:[{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #1&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;f902e3b&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #2&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;22fb9d1&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #3&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;34830dd&quot;}],&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;progressbar&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;offset_sides&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;image_spacing_custom&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-carousel swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"1\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76392544 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"76392544\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3acf6701 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3acf6701\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Seeds-of-hope.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11210\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Seeds-of-hope.png 680w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Seeds-of-hope-300x176.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Seeds-of-hope-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-212f61f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"212f61f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ethiopia: Seed of Hope (Transforming Lives and Livelihoods Through Resilient Maize)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1792430a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1792430a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In 2025, the <strong>Bio and Emerging Technology Institute (BETin)<\/strong> achieved a major milestone by releasing <strong>four new maize varieties<\/strong> developed in partnership with the <strong>IITA<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65471edc elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"65471edc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1690\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1690\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1690\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47131a5f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"47131a5f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1690\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fdab22d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4fdab22d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-495db541 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"495db541\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These varieties are designed to meet Ethiopia\u2019s most urgent needs\u2014tolerance to<strong> drought and fall armyworm<\/strong>, while being <strong>rich in provitamin A<\/strong> to fight hidden hunger. New drought-tolerant and nutrient-rich maize varieties are helping farmers rebuild their livelihoods. <em>Farmers\u2019 quote: \u201cThis maize grows even when the rains are poor.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"2\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-420c44d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"420c44d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22de3d1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"22de3d1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Farmer-inspecting-maize-field.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11217\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Farmer-inspecting-maize-field.png 680w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Farmer-inspecting-maize-field-300x176.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Farmer-inspecting-maize-field-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-366f0a97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"366f0a97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ghana: From Low Yield to Food Security<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7790183 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7790183\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In Ghana, smallholder farmer Ama Mensah had struggled with low maize yields due to drought and poor soil fertility. After adopting the drought-tolerant and nutrient-enriched maize variety developed by IITA<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-166fee5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"166fee5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-3760\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-3760\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3760\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cb95321 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7cb95321\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3760\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ec7f351 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5ec7f351\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-701b2a93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"701b2a93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>her harvest increased from 1.2 tons per hectare to over 3 tons per hectare<\/strong>. Ama now has enough produce to feed her family year-round and sell surplus in the local market, improving her income and food security.<\/p><p>Increased yield from 1.2 t ha<sup>-1<\/sup> to over 3 t ha<sup>-1<\/sup> using improved varieties.<\/p><p><em>Farmers\u2019 quote: \u201cThis new maize variety has changed our lives.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"3\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40aa99cb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"40aa99cb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e963ba8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2e963ba8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize-Breeding-Team.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11211\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize-Breeding-Team.png 680w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize-Breeding-Team-300x176.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Maize-Breeding-Team-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35fae258 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35fae258\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Gambia: Better Diet for Next Generation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-657080c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"657080c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Pro-Vitamin A (PVA) enhanced maize variety, PVA Synthetic 13 (<strong>PVASyn13<\/strong>), developed by scientists at IITA\u2013CGIAR, is gaining widespread recognition for its high-yielding performance and remarkable health benefits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0364b16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"0364b16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-3550\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-3550\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3550\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9df05a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f9df05a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3550\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d2f6fc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0d2f6fc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-113f6ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"113f6ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Gambia is already reporting major improvements in nutrition and increased agricultural productivity following the widespread adoption of the variety developed originally to combat vitamin A deficiency. Scientists have since discovered that <strong>PVASyn13<\/strong> is also drought-tolerant and resilient against Striga weed, allowing it to thrive in harsh and low-input conditions common among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p><p>Modou Sabally, a seed scientist with the National Seed Secretariat in the Gambia, explained that strong government interest in <strong>PVASyn13<\/strong> prompted collaboration with development projects to scale production and ensure quality. Biofortified provitamin A maize varieties are widely cultivated by farmers and have been approved for use in the national school feeding program, improving child nutrition.<\/p><p><em>Farmers\u2019 quote: \u201cThis maize helps us feed our children better\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-507b5995 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"507b5995\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4102a73 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4102a73\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19f6c6db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"19f6c6db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Resources<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6df88a59 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6df88a59\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4757a666 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4757a666\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ad0478d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ad0478d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1155\/2019\/3873198\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Promising High-Yielding Tetraploid Plantain-Bred Hybrids in West Africa<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/excellenceinbreeding.org\/toolbox\/tools\/kasp-low-density-genotyping-platform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KASP low density genotyping Platform<\/a><\/li><li><a 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data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"resources\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-507771f3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"507771f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b4bd75 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5b4bd75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fe6a705 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1fe6a705\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59271278 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59271278\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related News<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b2ca7b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7b2ca7b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/news-item\/?wpv_view_count=54&amp;wpv-science-area=0&amp;wpv-impact-areas=0&amp;wpv-program=natural-resource-management&amp;wpv-crop=0&amp;wpv-news-type=0&amp;wpv-hub=0&amp;wpv-location=0&amp;wpv_post_search=&amp;wpv_filter_submit=Submit\">See all news<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c8feac e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2c8feac\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-688bcc15 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"688bcc15\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-512da16e elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"512da16e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-8232 news-item type-news-item status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry tag-maize-featured tag-vcma-featured science-area-resilient-agri-food-systems program-value-chains-markets-and-agribusiness-vcma location-burundi news-type-success-stories hub-central-africa crop-maize\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/enhancing-access-to-quality-seed-by-strengthening-connections-between-farmers-and-local-input-suppliers\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"894\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Excellent-performance-of-\u2018bazooka-hybrid-maize-variety-in-a-farmers-field-in-Kirundo-District-Burundi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-8233\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Excellent-performance-of-\u2018bazooka-hybrid-maize-variety-in-a-farmers-field-in-Kirundo-District-Burundi.jpg 894w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Excellent-performance-of-\u2018bazooka-hybrid-maize-variety-in-a-farmers-field-in-Kirundo-District-Burundi-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Excellent-performance-of-\u2018bazooka-hybrid-maize-variety-in-a-farmers-field-in-Kirundo-District-Burundi-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/enhancing-access-to-quality-seed-by-strengthening-connections-between-farmers-and-local-input-suppliers\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tEnhancing access to quality seed by strengthening connections between farmers and local input suppliers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Lack of quality seeds and difficulties getting essential agricultural inputs have been significant challenges for farmers across Burundi. The AID-I GLR project \u2013 known as Kugwiza Project in Burundi \u2013 is addressing this critical need<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/enhancing-access-to-quality-seed-by-strengthening-connections-between-farmers-and-local-input-suppliers\/\" aria-label=\"En savoir plus sur Enhancing access to quality seed by strengthening connections between farmers and local input suppliers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f79d4d9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4f79d4d9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68a023bb elementor-grid-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-left elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"68a023bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-32473 news-item type-news-item status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry tag-agriculture tag-capacity-building tag-climate-smart-agriculture tag-food-security tag-iita tag-partnerships tag-scaling-innovation tag-undp science-area-system-transformation program-farming-systems-agronomy location-nigeria news-type-news hub-western-africa crop-maize crop-plantain crop-soybean impact-areas-nutrition-health-and-food-security impact-areas-poverty-reduction-livelihoods-and-jobs item-year-204\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/undp-delegation-explores-iita-innovations-to-support-agricultural-transformation\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-UNDP-delegation-and-IITA-team-during-a-meeting.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-32476\" alt=\"The UNDP delegation and IITA team during a meeting discussing the terms of partnership.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-UNDP-delegation-and-IITA-team-during-a-meeting.png 820w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-UNDP-delegation-and-IITA-team-during-a-meeting-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-UNDP-delegation-and-IITA-team-during-a-meeting-768x385.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-UNDP-delegation-and-IITA-team-during-a-meeting-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/undp-delegation-explores-iita-innovations-to-support-agricultural-transformation\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tUNDP delegation explores IITA innovations to support agricultural transformation\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The IITA and CGIAR have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting African countries in accelerating agricultural<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/undp-delegation-explores-iita-innovations-to-support-agricultural-transformation\/\" aria-label=\"En savoir plus sur UNDP delegation explores IITA innovations to support agricultural transformation\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-31950 news-item type-news-item status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry tag-dr-congo tag-food-security tag-partnerships tag-policy-engagement tag-scaling-innovation tag-smallholder-farmers tag-transforming-agriculture science-area-system-transformation program-farming-systems-agronomy program-seed-systems location-congo news-type-news hub-central-africa crop-maize impact-areas-nutrition-health-and-food-security impact-areas-poverty-reduction-livelihoods-and-jobs item-year-204\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-strengthen-agricultural-partnership-with-new-mou\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IITA-Director-General-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-H.E.-2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-31955\" alt=\"IITA Director General, Dr Simeon Ehui with H.E. Muhindo Nzagi Butondo, Minister of Agriculture of the Democratic Republic of Congo after the signing of the MoU.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IITA-Director-General-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-H.E.-2.png 820w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IITA-Director-General-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-H.E.-2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IITA-Director-General-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-H.E.-2-768x385.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IITA-Director-General-Dr-Simeon-Ehui-with-H.E.-2-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-strengthen-agricultural-partnership-with-new-mou\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tIITA, Democratic Republic of the Congo strengthen agricultural partnership with new MoU\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>As part of efforts to strengthen food security in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-strengthen-agricultural-partnership-with-new-mou\/\" aria-label=\"En savoir plus sur IITA, Democratic Republic of the Congo strengthen agricultural partnership with new MoU\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ac9701a elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"7ac9701a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"news\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36b9584a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"36b9584a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45bbc91a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"45bbc91a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56a887da elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"56a887da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Partnerships and Collaboration<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"e-paragraph-base\" data-interaction-id=\"e1432d0\">The IITA Maize Improvement Program operates through a broad network of strategic partnerships that accelerate the development, testing, dissemination, and adoption of improved maize technologies across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. These collaborations involve CGIAR Centers, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), private seed companies, advanced research institutions, universities, NGOs, and development agencies. The partnerships strengthen breeding efficiency, seed systems, capacity development, and scaling of climate-resilient maize varieties.<\/p>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fb99739 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7fb99739\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55a4978e elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55a4978e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>CGIAR centers:<\/strong> Alliance of Bioversity\u2013CIAT; CIP; CIMMYT, AfricaRice, ICRISAT, IFPRI<\/li><li><strong>National research &amp; extension partners (NARES):<\/strong> NARO (Uganda); TARI (Tanzania); KALRO (Kenya); ISABU (Burundi); RAB (Rwanda); INERA (DR Congo); NIHORT (Nigeria); CRI (Ghana); CNRA (C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire)<\/li><li><strong>Private sector partners:<\/strong> Seed Co; East African Seed; Premier Seeds, Masindi Seed, A to Z Seed Company<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75b22b7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"75b22b7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Advanced research institutions (ARI):<\/strong> African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF); Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA-ILRI Hub);\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Universities:<\/strong> Makerere University (Uganda); Haramaya University, Ethiopia; Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania; University of Ibadan (Nigeria);\u00a0Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maize Improvement Program &amp; Innovation Why the Maize improvement Program Climate change and pest invasion are intensifying production risks for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":3616,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11193","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11193"}],"version-history":[{"count":61,"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11391,"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11193\/revisions\/11391"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}