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Agricultural and Biofuel News: Drought tolerant maize to hugely benefit Africa

Distributing new varieties of drought tolerant maize to African farmers could save more than $1.5 billion dollars, boost yields by up to a quarter and lift some of the world's poorest out of poverty, a study found.

The study published on Thursday by the Mexico-based International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), with input from other food research institutes, focused on 13 African countries in which it has been handing out drought tolerant maize to farmers over the past four years.

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It described maize as "the most important cereal crop in Africa," a lifeline to 300 million vulnerable people.

The Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa plan aims to hasten the adoption of maize varieties that withstand dry weather.

by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sat Aug 28th, 2010 at 12:45:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Funnily enough, lists of African staple foods mention many plants, but not maize. Cassava, yam, plantain are everywhere, in drier areas, millet sorghum and groundnut.

So, whose agenda is driving this ? What trademarked weedkillers and fertilizers do they need to thrive ? What do the seeds cost ? and by that I don't necessarily mean how much but what else gets damaged ?

Who benefits ? Who starves ? who goes thirsty ?

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Sun Aug 29th, 2010 at 06:01:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Thank goodness somebody said it. Maize may be a useful plant, but the last thing Africa needs is maize monoculture and the loss of indigenous staples.
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Sun Aug 29th, 2010 at 03:05:38 PM EST
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