 |
Oportunities for income generation from special trait maize An increasingly globalized world has left smallholder farmers in the developing world with few comparative advantages for income generation. CIMMYT is using the wealth of maize genetic resources in its germplasm bank collections and will seek avenues that give farmers new income-generating options through specialty traits and value-added or multi-purpose uses of maize. Market potential and benefits of feed and specialty maize will be assessed, and we will analyze alternate suppliers and incentive-based value chains to identify opportunities and recommend priorities for research investments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Present options include quality protein maize for smallholder farmers and poultry producers in Africa or Asia, special maize types for food and feed in maize-livestock systems, or specialty maize produced in Central America for sale in US markets. These will offer new income opportunities and a competitive edge to poor and often land-constrained maize farmers, where other opportunities are few. Back to Flagship Products index |
New or improved traits through allele mining and gene discovery to best use global crop biodiversity Stress tolerant maize for enhanced food security and crop diversification Improved tools and methologies for genetic improvementBio-fortified maize for improved nutrition and health Wheat with enhanced water productivity and appropriate quality profiles Resource conservation technologies for maize and wheat cropping systems Capacity building in national agricultural research system breeding programs |
