April 7, 2026
ICAR‑IIMR and CIMMYT brought together Asia’s leading maize scientists at Maize Field Days in India, showcasing global germplasm diversity and advancing collaboration for resilient maize systems.
The ICAR–Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) and CIMMYT jointly hosted an inspiring two‑day Maize Germplasm Field Day, bringing together leading maize scientists and breeders from across Asia to exchange knowledge, access cutting‑edge germplasm, and discuss future directions for maize research and development. Held on 23–24 March 2026 in Hyderabad, India, the biannual event highlighted the growing importance of regional collaboration in strengthening maize systems in a climate‑vulnerable world.
Day One: ICAR‑IIMR Maize Field Day
The first field day was held at the ICAR-IIMR winter nursery in Rajendranagar, where more than 60 maize scientists from State Agricultural Universities and centers of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Maize participated. CIMMYT’s Director, Global Maize Program (GMP), Dr. Ashish Saxena, was invited to the event as a guest of honor, who attended the event along with CIMMYT Country representative, Dr. Mahesh Gathala, and P.H. Zaidi, Principal Scientist, GMP-Asia. Their engagement underscored CIMMYT’s strong partnership with India’s national maize research system and its commitment to advancing science‑based solutions for farmers.
Day Two: International Maize Improvement Consortium (IMIC) Field Day
The second day featured the International Maize Improvement Consortium (IMIC) Field Day, hosted at CIMMYT’s maize research farm on the ICRISAT campus. The event attracted 157 participants from both the public and private sectors, representing Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, making it a truly regional gathering. A strong delegation from India’s maize research program, led by Dr. H.S. Jat, Director, ICAR‑IIMR, and comprising 52 scientists from ICAR‑IIMR and AICRP centers nationwide, joined CIMMYT and BISA leadership, including Drs. Ashish Saxena, Mahesh Gathala, and B.M. Prasanna. Their presence energized participants and fostered rich dialogue on regional and global trends shaping the maize sector.
A Living Library of Global Maize Diversity
Welcoming participants, Dr. P.H. Zaidi provided an overview of the IMIC field demonstrations, explaining the organization of the plots, germplasm mapping, and the field book supplied to each participant. The IMIC demonstration field showcased an exceptional collection of 2,286 maize germplasm entries, spanning early and advanced generation lines with tropical, subtropical, temperate, and temperate × tropical backgrounds. The collection also included specialty maize types, such as sweet corn and brown mid‑rib maize for fodder, as well as trait donors for major abiotic and biotic stresses. Participants spent the entire forenoon exploring the diverse nurseries, identifying germplasm aligned with their breeding objectives and market needs, and formally submitting their selections to CIMMYT, turning the field into a dynamic platform for real‑world breeding decisions.
Strategic Dialogue on the Present and Future of Maize in Asian Tropics
In the afternoon, a General Body Meeting (GBM), co‑chaired by Drs. Ashish Saxena and H.S. Jat provided a forum for strategic reflection. Dr. Jat outlined the evolving maize landscape in India and the wider region, while Dr. Saxena shared insights into global maize trends and emerging challenges. Dr. Zaidi followed with a comprehensive update on IMIC’s progress since the previous field day in March 2024, highlighting key achievements and future priorities. The session concluded with an open discussion and feedback exchange, facilitated by Dr. Bhupender Kumar, a Senior Scientist at ICAR-IIMR, India.
Participants widely praised the depth and breadth of germplasm on display and CIMMYT’s role in making global maize diversity accessible to national programs and seed companies. “It felt like a shopping mall for maize germplasm, offering outstanding choices for our breeding program,” said Ms. Chayanika Lahkar, a maize scientist from Assam attending the event for the first time. From Southeast Asia, Dr. Chua Kim Aik of Green World Genetics, Malaysia, expressed appreciation for the initiative and emphasized the need to expand IMIC’s engagement in the region, where many small and medium seed enterprises lack access to diverse germplasm and advanced technical expertise. Participants also called for expanded capacity-building programs, particularly for early-career maize scientists, to strengthen technical skills and enhance market-responsive breeding. A side meeting was organized by Dr. Saxena with international participants to discuss country‑specific challenges in maize research for development. The dialogue helped identify gaps and opportunities where CIMMYT can provide targeted support.
All feedback received during the event will strengthen future IMIC activities, reinforcing its mission to serve maize farmers across climate‑vulnerable regions of Asia through science, collaboration, and innovation.
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