Women and men from maize and wheat growing villages in 13 countries consider improved varieties to be among the most valuable agricultural innovations in their communities in recent years, according to a GENNOVATE report to MAIZE.
GENNOVATE is a CIMMYT-led research initiative involving gender researchers from 11 CGIAR research programs (CRPs), and drawing on the experience of more than 7,500 rural men and women from 137 communities in 26 countries. The initiative ended in 2018, having delivered a range of research outputs to MAIZE and other CRPs, including a series of peer-reviewed journal articles and a suite of resources for scientists interested in applying gender-aware approaches.
GENNOVATE focuses on how gender norms and “agency” – the capacity and space for self-determination – shape who is able to learn about, try out, and benefit from new agricultural technologies and practices. The findings consistently highlight the importance and urgency of addressing gender equality and social inclusion in agricultural research for development. Understanding the gender dynamics and social contexts in which farmers operate can catalyze positive change and enhance impact.
In 2018, GENNOVATE specialists conducted workshops, communication initiatives, and dissemination events. The initiative was also featured in a special issue of the Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security, profiling it as an empirically and methodologically innovative research initiative.
Leaving no-one behind is a key component of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and MAIZE remains committed to this principle, adding value through its youth and social inclusion initiatives.
The MAIZE Youth Innovators Awards were launched in 2018. A MAIZE initiative in collaboration with Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), the annual awards will promote youth participation in maize-based agri-food systems and recognize the contributions of young women and men implementing innovations in maize-based agri-food systems. The 2018 awards focused on Asia, highlighting young people in Asia involved in research-for-development, seed systems, agribusiness, and sustainable intensification who can inspire other young people to get involved in maize-based agri-food systems. Through these awards, MAIZE and YPARD aim to create a platform to allow young maize innovators from around the world to network and share their experiences.
Winners of the 2018 Maize Youth Innovator Awards - Asia receive their awards at the 13th Asian Maize Conference, held 8-10 October 2018 in Ludhiana, India. From left to right: Victor Kommerell, B.M. Prasanna, B.S. Dhillon, Martin Kropff, Vignesh Muthusamy, Samjhana Kanal, Dinesh Panday, Mike Robinson. Fourth awardee Jie Xu not pictured. (Photo: Manjit Singh/Punjab Agricultural University).
Maize landrace conservation in Mexico is under mounting pressure as landrace genetic diversity fades and young people, who could carry on growing traditions, leave the rural land in search of a better life.
The inclusion of young people in maize landrace conservation motivated the establishment of a new maize festival, the Feria de la Mazorca del Maiz Nativo, or Native Maize Festival, in December 2018 in the state of Nayarit, Mexico. The festival aims to encourage farmers to protect the genetic potential of their local Jala landrace maize, which produces the largest maize ears in the world, while creating a forum for young people to air their views.
The festival is a collaboration between CIMMYT’s Maize Germplasm bank and diverse partners from CIMMYT, INIFAP and local representatives. The youth forum explored young people’s experiences with native maize and their feelings about acting as custodians of Jala maize into the future. Although they value the cultural importance of Jala maize and wish to continue its legacy, young people need a tangible reason to grow it, highlighting a lack of rural opportunities and the need for a pragmatic, economically secure future.
Socioeconomic researchers are exploring the challenges of creating an enabling environment that facilitates improved livelihoods by leveraging the merits of Jala maize. CIMMYT researchers are simultaneously studying the landrace’s genetic diversity, with hopes of preserving its quality and working with farmers to safeguard its future.