DTMA & WEMA: Drought Tolerant Maize Varieties and Water Efficient Maize Varieties

Enhance farm's resilience with DTMA and WEMA maize varieties, ensuring consistent yields even in unpredictable weather.

These seed technologies, developed through conventional and biotechnological methods, bolster the maize plant's ability to withstand acute soil drying and low water supply. They outperform traditional varieties under various levels of water stress, offering resilience in both dry and intermittently wet climates.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Others: Positive medium

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive medium

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Does not improve environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: Much less water used

Problem

Dependence on Rainfall: Over 90% of African maize farming is rainfed, leaving crops vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns.
Yield Instability: Conventional varieties are highly sensitive to water availability, leading to inconsistent yields.
Crop Failure Risk: Insufficient rainfall can result in complete crop loss, jeopardizing livelihoods.

Solution

Enhanced Resilience: DTMA and WEMA outperform conventional varieties under various water stress levels.
Increased Productivity: Adoption of these varieties leads to substantial increases in maize grain production.
Improved Crop Resilience: Crops become more robust, with heightened resistance to dry spells and low rainfall.

Key points to design your project

This technology addresses water stress in Sub-Saharan maize production, improving productivity and resilience to adverse rainfall. It contributes to climate resilience and SDGs, particularly in food security and poverty reduction. Gender-inclusive access further promotes equitable agricultural development.

To integrate this technology into your project, and create a list of project activities and prerequisites and plan these activities:

- Considering the technology cost of 0.8 to 1.2 USD per kg and a requirement of 25 kg per ha, estimate the quantity of seeds needed for your project.

- As the technology is available in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.)

For better optimization of the improved maize variety, it is recommended to associate this technology with Imazapyr resistant maize for Striga management (IR maize), Specialized pre-plant fertilizer blending and N topdressing, Maize-legume rotation and intercropping.

To implement the technology in your country, you could collaborate with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies.

Cost: $$$ 0.8—1.2 USD/kg

Seed selling cost

ROI: $$$ 240 USD

Income per Ha

0.6 ton/Ha

Yield increase

20—30 %

Larger grain harvest than common type

IP

Unknown

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Africa	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid		–		–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 13: climate action

Goal 1: no poverty

Selection: Choose the appropriate DTMA or WEMA variety based on local climate and soil conditions.
Planting: Follow standard maize planting practices, ensuring optimal soil and fertilizer management.
Nutrient Optimization: In low-fertility soils, supplement with inorganic fertilizers to enhance nutrient uptake.
Complementary Practices: Consider legume intercropping, manure application, and mulching for added nutrients and water retention.