Fast-Tracking the Development and Dissemination of a Drought-Tolerant Maize Variety in Ethiopia in Response to the Risks of Climate Change

Developments and Prospects in Imperative Underexploited Vegetable Legumes Breeding: A Review

“…Legumes draw the interest of scientists seeking to exploit their nutritional resources [ 180 ]. Legumes have extreme diversity and various stress tolerance capabilities; it might enhance food and food security in low-income areas of Africa [ 20 ]. Exploring underexploited legumes’ nutritional value can overcome malnutrition, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, in developing nations [ 181 ].…”

“…There are currently about 150 cultivated crops, and only 30 edible species are often used for global diets, the majority of which are cereal-based, and which in developing countries rely especially on rainfed agriculture [ 19 ]. Almost all of these crops cannot withstand abiotic stresses due to global climate change [ 20 ]. However, underexploited legumes have tremendous potential to withstand harsh conditions that cannot be ignored, which will help in mitigating nutritional insecurity.…”

Maize varietal replacement in Eastern and Southern Africa: Bottlenecks, drivers and strategies for improvement

“…For example, variety BH661 bred for mid-altitude Ethiopian markets ( Fig. 4 a) combines excellent drought tolerance with high yield, standability, and easy seed production ( Ertiro et al, 2019 ). After its release in 2011, farmers quickly adopted the variety, triggering its fast-track production.…”

“…For example, CGIAR-derived maize hybrids have achieved genetic yield gains ranging from 21 to 141 kg ha −1 yr −1 under multiple stress environments in ESA ( Masuka et al, 2017a , b), and up to 40 kg ha −1 yr −1 under multiple stress conditions in West Africa ( Badu-Apraku et al, 2015 ). However, except for a few countries like Ethiopia ( Abate et al, 2015 ; Ertiro et al, 2019 ), Rwanda ( AGRA, 2017 ) and Uganda, these genetic gains have not effectively translated into increased grain yields on smallholder farms, due to various factors, especially slow varietal turnover, and poor agronomic practices. Faster varietal turnover combined with good agronomic practices in farmers’ fields improve yield and adaptation to climate change ( Ertiro et al, 2019 ), leading to improved food security ( Lunduka et al, 2018 ; Cairns and Prasanna, 2018 ).…”

“…However, except for a few countries like Ethiopia ( Abate et al, 2015 ; Ertiro et al, 2019 ), Rwanda ( AGRA, 2017 ) and Uganda, these genetic gains have not effectively translated into increased grain yields on smallholder farms, due to various factors, especially slow varietal turnover, and poor agronomic practices. Faster varietal turnover combined with good agronomic practices in farmers’ fields improve yield and adaptation to climate change ( Ertiro et al, 2019 ), leading to improved food security ( Lunduka et al, 2018 ; Cairns and Prasanna, 2018 ).…”