The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) has successfully released 20 heat-tolerant, high-yielding maize hybrids in Pakistan and four other South Asian countries.
CIMMYT said these high-yielding maize varieties were the result of ten years of dedicated collaboration with public maize research institutes and private seed companies in the region.
Countries benefiting from these advanced maize hybrids include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.
Maize serves as a crucial rain-fed crop, supporting the livelihoods of many smallholder farmers in South Asian regions.
The initiative utilized CIMMYT's germ-plasm foundation and technical knowledge in developing resilience to abiotic stress through breeding, complemented by the research proficiency of its collaborating partners.
Over 85% of Pakistan's hybrid maize seed is imported, at an annual cost to the country of around US$60 million, according to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre.
The price of hybrid maize seed in Pakistan, influenced by imports and various other factors, varies between US$ 6 and US$ 8 per kg, making it the highest in South Asia.
CIMMYT's maize initiatives in Pakistan are being expanded through the Agricultural Innovation Programme for Pakistan (AIP).
M. Imtiaz, who serves as CIMMYT's country representative and leads the AIP project, welcomed the participants and encouraged stakeholders to make maximum efforts to disseminate maize varieties and hybrids, with a special focus on resource-poor farmers.