CIMMYT Requests India’s Assistance to Maintain Worldwide Agricultural Innovation

In 2024, USAID, responsible for managing foreign assistance for the U.S. government, provided around $83 million to CIMMYT, making up nearly 40% of its $211 million yearly budget.

As USAID concludes its operations, CIMMYT is now seeking greater financial support from countries such as India that have traditionally gained from its advanced agricultural research.

Regarding CIMMYT

Established: It was established in 1966 and based in Mexico.

It developed from a Rockefeller Foundation initiative supported by the Mexican government during the 1940s and 1950s.

Primary Contributions:

Under the guidance of Dr. Norman Borlaug, CIMMYT played a crucial role in the Green Revolution across Asia.

It created high-yielding, semi-dwarf wheat strains like Lerma Rojo 64A, Sonora 64, and Mayo 64.

It worked together with Indian researchers to develop Kalyan Sona (1967), Sonalika (1968), and subsequently PBW 343 (1995).

Ongoing Effect:

Varieties from CIMMYT are cultivated across more than 60 million hectares worldwide.

In India, half of the wheat grown comes from varieties introduced after 2019 via the CIMMYT–ICAR partnership.

Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA);

Founded: 2011 as a collaborative effort between CIMMYT and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Places: Research facilities in Ludhiana (Punjab), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), and Samastipur (Bihar).

Key Aspects: Crops resilient to climate change, tolerance to heat, efficient use of nitrogen, resistance to diseases, and sustainable agriculture practices.

Consequences for Agricultural Research

USAID’s Role: As the main development assistance agency of the U.S. government, USAID has backed global agricultural innovation for many years.

Impacts After Closure:

Decline in steady donor backing (USAID provided almost 40% of CIMMYT's funding).

Possible deceleration in worldwide R&D, particularly in emerging areas.

CIMMYT cautions that impacts will be intensely experienced after 2026.

Reasons for India to Take Action?

Strategic Agricultural Interests: In 2024, India planted wheat across 32 million hectares. Among the leading 10 wheat varieties, 6 originate from CIMMYT, spanning approximately 15.3 million hectares.

Food Security and Climate Issues: Increasing March temperatures in northern India are resulting in decreased wheat yields. Each 1°C increase in nighttime temperatures decreases yield by 6%.

CIMMYT's studies on heat-resistant and high-yielding wheat are vital for India's food security.

India's Worldwide Reputation: By increasing investment, India can establish itself as a frontrunner in South-South collaboration and shape global research and development focuses in food security.

It can additionally aid in capacity-building for Africa and other developing areas by leveraging Indian agricultural expertise.

Human Resource Connections: Numerous Indian researchers are presently employed at CIMMYT locations globally.

Indians make up approximately 10% of CIMMYT’s worldwide staff.

Path Forward

India needs to significantly increase its funding to maintain current research infrastructures, ensure participation in governance and priority-setting, and promote regional and global food security efforts.

Encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Agricultural research and development can be co-funded by seed companies, agri-tech businesses, and corporate social responsibility projects of large Indian firms.

Regional Leadership in Agri-Innovation: India has the potential to spearhead a Global South Agricultural Innovation Forum with CIMMYT, focusing on Africa and Asia through the promotion of technology exchanges, collaborative breeding initiatives, and sustainable methods.