International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (known - even in English - by its Spanish acronym CIMMYT for Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo) is a non-profit research-for-development organization that develops improved varieties of wheat and maize with the aim of contributing to food security, and innovates agricultural practices to help boost production, prevent crop disease and improve smallholder farmers' livelihoods. CIMMYT is one of the 15 CGIAR centers. CIMMYT is known for hosting the world's largest maize and wheat genebank at its headquarters in Mexico.
CIMMYT in El Batan, Mexico | |
| Formation | 1943, 1966 and officially established in 1971 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit research-for-development organization |
| Purpose | To develop improved varieties and sustainable farming methods of wheat and maize for improving livelihoods of the world's poor |
| Headquarters | El Batán, near Texcoco, State of Mexico, Mexico |
Director General | Bram Govaerts |
Staff | 1,600 staff members working throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America, and projects in over 40 countries |
| Website | cimmyt.org |
CIMMYT's ninth director general, Bram Govaerts, replaced Martin Kropff in 2021. Other notable scientists like Thomas Lumpkin have served as director general of CIMMYT.