85
companies: disease- and drought-tolerance of the new SC seed parent which resulted
in higher seed yields and, therefore, lower cost of goods; similar female and male
planting splits to BH660, which meant that production systems did not need to be
modified to accommodate production of BH661; and, having the same male parent
as BH660, which meant both hybrids could be produced in proximal areas.
As of 2017, there remains high demand for BH661. Seed demand is recorded by
development agents. Demand is compiled at district and zonal levels, which is later
passed on to the regional Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BoANR)
and finally to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoANR). Seed
produced by diverse seed growers, including public and private seed companies as
well as farmers’ cooperative unions, is reported to BoANR and MoANR. Finally,
BoANR and MoANR are responsible to match demand and supply.
7.5 Conclusion and Implications for Development
The narrow genetic base of late-maturing germplasm adapted to East Africa has
long hampered the development of DT varieties that could replace BH660—the
dominant maize hybrid in Ethiopia for the last 25 years. Free access to DT maize
germplasm from CIMMYT enabled breeders to develop new DT maize hybrid
combinations that better yield under both moisture-stress and optimum conditions.
The introduction of new DT varieties, like BH661, into stress-prone maize farming systems has contributed to improved productivity and food subsistence in
Ethiopia. Better seed producibility parameters of the parents of BH661, compared
to BH660, resulted in rapid adoption of the hybrid by the seed sector. The successful development and commercialisation of BH661 can serve as a valuable case
study for breeders, seed companies, extension agents, regulatory and policy makers in how to aggressively replace ageing crop varieties with new climate-smart
varieties. Success with BH661 was due to a higher grain yield than BH660 under
DT conditions, the disease resistance and DT characteristics of its SC seed parent
and the involvement of various stakeholders in popularising the variety.
Nonetheless, an overreliance on a single new mega-variety presents risks and,
therefore, the development and release of new climate-smart varieties should be a
continuous process. Though the public- sector played a crucial role in the dissemination of BH661, this may not be sustainable in all instances and increased participation of the private-sector is likely to play a vital role in the dissemination of
climate-smart varieties in SSA.
Acknowledgements Financial support from the Government of Ethiopia and various CIMMYTmanaged projects (e.g. Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa and the Sustainable Intensification of
Maize-Legume Cropping Systems for Food Security in Eastern and Southern Africa) are highly
appreciated. All maize collaborating centres in Ethiopia are especially acknowledged for their data
collection.
7 Fast-Tracking the Development and Dissemination of a Drought-Tolerant Maize…
companies: disease- and drought-tolerance of the new SC seed parent which resulted
in higher seed yields and, therefore, lower cost of goods; similar female and male
planting splits to BH660, which meant that production systems did not need to be
modified to accommodate production of BH661; and, having the same male parent
as BH660, which meant both hybrids could be produced in proximal areas.
As of 2017, there remains high demand for BH661. Seed demand is recorded by
development agents. Demand is compiled at district and zonal levels, which is later
passed on to the regional Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BoANR)
and finally to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoANR). Seed
produced by diverse seed growers, including public and private seed companies as
well as farmers’ cooperative unions, is reported to BoANR and MoANR. Finally,
BoANR and MoANR are responsible to match demand and supply.
7.5 Conclusion and Implications for Development
The narrow genetic base of late-maturing germplasm adapted to East Africa has
long hampered the development of DT varieties that could replace BH660—the
dominant maize hybrid in Ethiopia for the last 25 years. Free access to DT maize
germplasm from CIMMYT enabled breeders to develop new DT maize hybrid
combinations that better yield under both moisture-stress and optimum conditions.
The introduction of new DT varieties, like BH661, into stress-prone maize farming systems has contributed to improved productivity and food subsistence in
Ethiopia. Better seed producibility parameters of the parents of BH661, compared
to BH660, resulted in rapid adoption of the hybrid by the seed sector. The successful development and commercialisation of BH661 can serve as a valuable case
study for breeders, seed companies, extension agents, regulatory and policy makers in how to aggressively replace ageing crop varieties with new climate-smart
varieties. Success with BH661 was due to a higher grain yield than BH660 under
DT conditions, the disease resistance and DT characteristics of its SC seed parent
and the involvement of various stakeholders in popularising the variety.
Nonetheless, an overreliance on a single new mega-variety presents risks and,
therefore, the development and release of new climate-smart varieties should be a
continuous process. Though the public- sector played a crucial role in the dissemination of BH661, this may not be sustainable in all instances and increased participation of the private-sector is likely to play a vital role in the dissemination of
climate-smart varieties in SSA.
Acknowledgements Financial support from the Government of Ethiopia and various CIMMYTmanaged projects (e.g. Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa and the Sustainable Intensification of
Maize-Legume Cropping Systems for Food Security in Eastern and Southern Africa) are highly
appreciated. All maize collaborating centres in Ethiopia are especially acknowledged for their data
collection.
7 Fast-Tracking the Development and Dissemination of a Drought-Tolerant Maize…