U.S. Government Announces $40 Million Award to CIMMYT to Bolster Global Food Security
A renewed $40 million commitment from the U.S. Government to advance science-driven solutions for global food security.
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The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) welcomed an award of $40 million from the U.S. Government to advance global food security, strengthen agricultural resilience, and reinforce open scientific collaboration.
The award, announced during an official visit by a U.S. Government delegation, reflects continued partnership between the United States and CIMMYT in advancing science-driven solutions that benefit farmers, markets, and food systems worldwide.
"The funding will strengthen critical platforms across CIMMYT's research portfolio," said a CIMMYT press release.
CIMMYT Director General Bram Govaerts said the award reflects decades of collaboration built on science and trust. He emphasised that food security and resilient agricultural systems are essential for global stability and prosperity, and reaffirmed CIMMYT’s commitment to ensuring farmers have access to innovation, tools, and knowledge.
The funding will support key research platforms within CIMMYT’s portfolio, including the development of drought- and heat-tolerant maize and wheat varieties, conservation and use of critical genetic resources, digital and data-driven agricultural tools, and early warning systems to protect crops from emerging pests and diseases. These initiatives aim to help farmers produce more with fewer resources, reduce vulnerability to climate shocks, and enhance supply chain resilience.
Dr B M Prasanna, Managing Director of BISA and CIMMYT Regional Director for Asia, said the 2026 investment would accelerate innovations that strengthen food systems and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers globally, including in the Indo-Pacific region. He added that it presents an opportunity to catalyse greater investments in agricultural research and development in India and Nepal.
CIMMYT, a non-profit international research organisation, works across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. It focuses on improving the productivity and resilience of major cereal crops such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, and millets, particularly in the Global South.
The organisation said diversified partnerships remain central to its long-term mission of building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems worldwide.
