CIMMYT review 1980

Abstract

CIMMYT Review 1980 is intended to provide highlights of CIMMYT program activities during 1979 for the informed laymen. It is complemented by two technical annual reports (maize and wheat), more than a dozen international testing annual reports, and various other information bulletins published by CIMMYT each year. In addition, a special CIMMYT planning report has been published describing projected research priorities and program activities during the period 1981-86. During 1979, the wheat program leadership changed for the first time. Norman Borlaug, who guided and inspired the wheat staff since CIMMYT's inception, has now become a consultant to the program. His contributions to the agricultural sciences and to mankind are so widely known and acknowledged that they need no explanation here. Dr. R. Glenn Anderson has been in charge of directing the wheat program staff since July 1979. To assist in providing program direction, a scientist from within the program who understood-and had contributed to·CIMMYT's program development was chosen as the Associate Director. Dr. Arthur Klatt assumed these responsibilities in 1979. He is young, energetic and has done outstanding work in his CIMMYT assignments beginning in 1968, first at base in Mexico, later in Turkey with the national wheat program, and most recently in the Andean regional program His array of experiences will serve CIMMYT well. 1979 marked the end of Phase 1II of the CIMMYT/UNDP maize protein quality improvement project. Remarkable progress has been achieved in this research effort and UNDP has agreed to support the program for another five years. The process of developing regional programs continued during 1979. The mideast regional maize program was established with a CIMMYT scientist based in Turkey. Regional wheat programs in the Mediterranean and Mideast and East Africa were strengthened through the arrival of two Dutch associates, on loan from the Government of the I\letherlands. Two postdoctoral fellows also joined regional economics programs in the Andean region and East Africa. During the 1980s, a growing responsibility of these regional staff will be to help strengthen the production research activities of collaborating institutes throughout the developing world