May 25, 2015
Source: CIMMYT Blog
by Njeri Okono
The Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Project held its 7th Project Review and Planning Meeting in Maputo, Mozambique, from February 8-12, 2015.
The CIMMYT team at the WEMA meeting. Back row, left to right: Yoseph Beyene, Kassa Semagn, Lewis Machida, Jarett Abramson, Mosisa Regasa, Tadele Tefera, Bruce Anani and Amsal Tarekegne. Front row, left to right: Vongai Kandiwa, B.M. Prasanna, Stephen Mugo and James Gethi.
During the meeting, momentous breakthroughs were reported on transgenic research in Mozambique and Tanzania. Mozambique has approved confined field trials, while Tanzania now has a more research-friendly regulatory framework.
Dr. Inacio Mapossé, Director General, Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique. Jonas Malapende/IIAM–DFDTT/DDIC
“In Mozambique, you cannot talk about food security without talking about maize,” said Dr. Inacio Mapossé, Director General, Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM; Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique), who opened the meeting. Almost all (95 percent) smallholder farmers in Mozambique grow maize, which accounts for nearly half (40 percent) of the acreage for annual crops. To read the full story, click here.