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The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and CORAF intend to enhance initiatives focused on varietal selection in West and Central Africa. 

The idea began to take shape during a working session between the heads of the two partner organizations, held recently at CORAF's Executive Secretariat.

CIMMYT, which houses the Breeding Excellence Platform, is a former CORAF partner.

In early 2021, a memorandum of understanding was signed between CORAF and CIMMYT, under which, the partners would accelerate research on breeding modernization initiatives, in West and Central Africa.

"The basis of any agro-sylvo-pastoral activity is varietal selection. This is why the idea of collaborating with CIMMYT augurs well for boosting food and nutritional security in West and Central Africa", said CORAF's Director of Research and Innovation, Dr Emmanuel NJUKWE.

He adds that this would help provide farmers with improved cultivars and varieties, for greater impact on food and nutritional security and adaptation to climate change. 

The idea of an initiative on varietal selection between CORAF and CIMMYT will be embodied in a letter of understanding, which will define the framework for intervention. 

CIMMYT is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), with its headquarters in Mexico City (Mexico).

The center focuses its research on the improvement of corn and wheat worldwide.