NEWS

• The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), founded by Norman Borlaug, played a pivotal role in India’s Green Revolution.
• With USAID officially shutting down (July 1), CIMMYT faces a funding crisis.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Developments:

• USAID contributed ~$83 million to CIMMYT’s $211 million budget (2024); it was the largest funder.
• CIMMYT now seeks financial support from the Indian government and private sector.

Significance:

• CIMMYT’s work focuses on breeding climate-resilient, high-yield maize and wheat.
• It supports food security through R&D on heat tolerance, disease resistance, and BNI traits.

India Linkages:

• India contributed only $0.8 million to CIMMYT in 2024.
• BISA (Borlaug Institute for South Asia) formed in 2011 with ICAR; has 3 research stations in India.
• CIMMYT’s germplasm forms the base of top Indian wheat varieties like Kalyan Sona, Sonalika, PBW 343.

Implications:

• USAID’s exit risks slowing agricultural innovation.
• India has a strategic opportunity to lead and co-fund CIMMYT’s mission—vital for sustainable agriculture.