The EIAR organized the 4th Decadal National Maize Workshop under the theme of “Harnessing Maize Genetics and Management Practices or to Revitalize the Ethiopian Food System in the Face of Climate Change” at the institute’s headquarters. The workshop, which commenced yesterday, will remain open until August 31, 2024. The workshop is being held with the aim of documenting major achievements over the past one decade (2012-2023) and identifying the existing challenges and gaps on maize research sphere and thereby setting out future directions and the way forward.
The Crop Research Directorate Director, Fekadu Gurmu (PhD), during the introduction session, recognized all the participants, including distinguished scientists that joined the workshop to share their ample experiences.
In his welcome speech, Director General of the EIAR, H.E. Feto Esimo (PhD) said that the adaption of improved technologies and farming practices have significantly boosted maize productivity, placing Ethiopia second in maize production across Africa. He added that over the past decades, 48 maize hybrids and open pollinated varieties have been released by public research institutes and private seed enterprises where the seed delivery to the farmers increased threefold.
State Minister of MoA, H.E. Melese Mekonnen (PhD), on his part said that though endowed with natural resources and untapped potentials, Ethiopia has not fully exploited these potentials. Despite this, remarkable achievements have been registered in maize production,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the institute has given a recognition certificate to the event sponsors and development partners for their unreserved support for the workshop to succeed. The institute also recognized four senior scientists (retired) for their contribution to maize research and development endeavors for over 30 years.
The workshop drew together stakeholders including developmental partners, Ministry offices, Federal institutions, Regional Agricultural Research institutions, universities, and public and private seed enterprises.
Moreover, various agricultural machineries, farm equipment, and maize hybrid varieties were exhibited to the participants.
Maize and development: global perspective, the contribution of maize in transforming Ethiopian agriculture, maize research and development: EIAR perspective, maize seed production research and multiplication to improve maize hybrids uptake, and the decadal trends and achievements in maize R&D partnership and future perspective in Ethiopia are among the topics presented by keynote speakers and discussed during the day one event. The three-day event has also comprised group discussion sessions.
