• Body blow to grain borer, Scientists from CIMMYT, working with the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), have developed maize with significantly increased resistance to attack in storage bins from a pest called the larger grain borer.
  Source: CIMMYT E-News, vol 4 no. 9, September 2007
• IRMA Executive Committee Meets; Project Bids Dave Poland Goodbye [PDF 601KB]
• IRMA Executive Committee (ExCo) Meets June 2006 [PDF 1.09MB]
• Kenya begins first open field trials of GM Maize.
• Kenyan scientists in biotech maize field trial.
• Assessing the Benefits and Risks of GE Crops: Evidence from the Insect Resistant Maize for Africa Project, [PDF 377KB]
• Kenya halts first field trials of GM maize.
• CIMMYT Insect Resistant Maize in Africa moves forward
• CIMMYT Revised IRMA II project plan stresses regulatory issues and new management structure.

Articles

1. East African Farming Genetically Transformed   Ochieng' Ogodo and Deodatus    Balile, Kenya
2. Where fieldwork means female work   Ester Maikuri, Kenya    
3. Interview with Stephen Mugo, IRMA's project coordinator in Kenya.
4. Superstition and science in the fight against stem borers.
5. Breaking the stem borer's power.
6. "Interview with Klaus M. Leisinger on methodological
   diversity in pest control."
7. Philip Gichuki Wahome has no fear of Bt or the stem borer.
8. On the risks of biological pest control.
9. An outstanding partnership, [PDF 295KB]
10. IRMA sets its sights in weevil resistant maize, [PDF 588KB]
11. Intellectual property rights report brings good news for the IRMA project, [PDF 270KB]
12. Development and deployment of insect resistance maize, [PDF 1.7MB]
13. Creating awareness on biotechnology based technologies: Report on a workshop -
        Part 1 [PDF 1.6MB]; Part 2 [PDF 2MB]; Part 3 [PDF 4.4MB]

Project reviews

1. Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) updates Vol. 7 Issue 3, September 2006. [PDF 601KB]
2. A Solid Future Annual Report 2004-2005 [PDF][Cover Page][Contents Page] [Main Pages]
3. A Mid-term Report to the Kenya National Biosafety Committee (NBC) on the BT maize Confined Field trial at KARI Kiboko S. Mugo and S. Gichuki
4. IRMA Project Quarterly Report 1 Jan- 31 March 2005
5. IRMA quarterly report January - March 2004
6. IRMA update December 2003 [PDF 276KB]
7. Quarterly report: July - September, 2003
8. 2003 project review report
9. 2003 project review - feedback from the review team
10. Stakeholders meeting publicly launches IRMA project [PDF 317KB]
11. Good progress reported at IRMA project annual meeting [PDF 319KB]
12. Annual meeting for 2001: Progress continues on all fronts [PDF 500KB]
13. IRMA holds third annual project meeting [PDF 498KB]
14. 2001 IRMA annual report [PDF 700KB]

Research findings

1. Debunking the myths of GM crops for Africa: The case of Bt maize in Kenya -Abstract De Groote H., Mugo S., Bergvinson D., and Odhiambo B. 2004
2. Debunking the myths of GM crops for Africa: The case of Bt maize in Kenya - Final paper De Groote H., Mugo S., Bergvinson D., and Odhiambo B. &2004
3. IRMA bioassay shows BT effective against Kenyan borers [PDF 228KB]
4. Mock trials planted at proposed open quarantine site, (OQS) [PDF 352KB]
5. Participatory rural appraisal of farmers' criteria for selection of maize varieties and constraints to maize production in moist mid-altitude zone of Western Kenya. Odendo M., De Groote H., Odongo O.M. and Oucho P. 2001 [PDF 627KB]
6. Assessment of Farmers' Preferences and Constraints to Maize Production in Moist Mid-altitude Zone of Western Kenya. Odendo M., De Groote H. and Odongo O.M. 2001 [PDF 514KB]
7. Economics study reveals farmer selection criteria for maize in the moist mid-altitude Western Kenya zone [PDF 115KB]
8. Adoption of maize seed and fertilizer technologies in Embu district, Kenya. [PDF 256KB]

Related Publications

1. An introduction to plant tissue culture. [PDF 2.63MB]
2. Can genetically modified plants help developing countries to fight hunger and poverty?
3. The contribution of genetic engineering to the fight against hunger in developing countries.
4. Are GM foods safe?
   Adapted from Kuza Newsletter Issue No.17; 2003
5. Public Research & Regulation Initiative (PRRI) [PDF 68.8 KB]
6. Globalization and the international governance of modern biotechnology: [PDF 180KB]
7. The implications for food security in Kenya (IERLC Report).
   By Harrington Odame, Patricia Kameri-Mbote & David Wafula, 2003 [PDF 203KB]
8. CIMMYT response to IERLC report, [PDF 203KB]
9. Syngenta Foundation response to IERLC report [PDF 9KB]
10. A study of the causes for low adoption rates of agricultural research results in West and Central Africa, [PDF 313KB]
                                                                                              TOP

SocioEconomics Papers and Presentations - IRMA 1999-2004

1. Participatory research: Participatory Rural Appraisals (PRA)
2. Participatory Rural Appraisal for Pest Assessment in Semi-arid Eastern Kenya Bett, C. and H. De Groote. 2002.
   IRMA Socio-Economic Working Paper No. 02-03. Nairobi, Kenya: CIMMYT and KARI. [PDF 369KB]
3. Assessing the demand for insect resistant maize varieties in Kenya combining Participatory Rural Appraisal into a Geographic Information System. [PDF 1.6MB]
   De Groote H., J. O. Okuro, C. Bett, L. Mose, M. Odendo, E. Wekesa. 2004
   In: Sperling, L., J. Lancon and M. Loosvelt (Eds). 2004. Participatory Plant
   Breeding and Participatory Plant Genetic Resource Enhancement: An Africa-
   wide Exchange of Experiences. Sélection participative et gestion
   participative des ressources génétiques en Afrique Échange d'expériences.
   Proceedings of a workshop held in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. May 7-10, 2001.
   CGIAR Systemwide Program on Participatory Research and Gender Analysis.
   Cali, Colombia. Pp. 148-162.
   (International Symposium on PPB – PPGR).
4. Participatory Rural Appraisals on maize production in the Moist Transitional and High Tropics Zones Mose L.O., J. M. Wanyama, H. De Groote, M. Mulaa and W. K. Muge     IRMA Socioeconomic Working Paper No. 02-04. Nairobi, Kenya: CIMMYT and KARI. [PDF 214KB]
5. Assessment Of Farmers' Preferences and Constraints to Maize Production in the Moist Midaltitude Zone of Western Kenya [PDF 2.6MB]
   Odendo M., H. De Groote and O. M. Odongo. 2001
   Paper presented at the 5th International Conference of the African Crop Science Society, Lagos, Nigeria October 21-26, 2001
6. Participatory Rural Appraisal of Farmers' Maize Selection Criteria and Perceived Production Constraints in the Moist midaltitude Zone of Kenya [PDF 382KB]
   Odendo M., H. De Groote, O. Odongo and P. Oucho. 2002
   IRMA Socioeconomic Working Paper No. 02-01. Nairobi, Kenya: CIMMYT and KARI.
7. Participatory Rural Appraisal of farmers' perceptions of maize varieties and production constraints in the Moist Transitional Zone in Eastern Kenya. [PDF 269KB]
   Ouma, J. H. De Groote and M. Gethi. 2002
   IRMA Socio-Economic Working Paper No. 02-01. Nairobi, Kenya: CIMMYT and KARI.
8. Participatory Rural Appraisals for Insect Resistant Varieties in the Coastal Lowlands, Kenya PDF 278KB[]
   Wekesa E., H. De Groote, J. Ndungu, W. Chivatsi, P. Mbutha, L. Hadullo, J. Odhiambo and G. Ambajo. 2003 IRMA socio-economic working paper 03-01.

Participatory Plant Breeding

1. Participatory Research for Breeding Drought Resistant Maize Varieties in Eastern Kenya. [PDF 152KB]
   Bett C., H. De Groote, A. Diallo, W. Muasya, and N. Kiarie. 2000
   Paper presented at the 7th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference 13-17
   November 2000. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi.
2. Identifying Farmers' Preferences for New Maize Varieties in Eastern Africa.
   De Groote H. and M. Siambi. 2005.
   Paper 027 in: CIP-UPWARD. Participatory Research and Development for
   Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management: A Sourcebook.
   International Potato Center-Users' Perspectives With Agricultural Research and Development. Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines. Volume 2. Field Tested
   Practices in Participatory Research and Development. Forthcoming.
3. Comparing and integrating farmers' and breeders' evaluations of maize varieties in East Africa. [PDF 1.6MB]
   De Groote H., M. Siambi, D. Friesen and A. Diallo 2002
   Presentation prepared for the workshop on “Quality of Science in
   Participatory Plant Breeding”, IPGRI, Rome, September 30-October 4, 2002.
4. Identifying farmers' preferences for new maize varieties in Eastern Africa. [PDF 152KB]
   De Groote H., M. Siambi, D. Friesen and A. Diallo 2002
   In M. R. Bellon and J. Reeves, eds., Quantitative Analysis of Data from
   Participatory Methods in Plant Breeding (pp. 82-102). Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT.
5. Recent developments in participatory plant breeding for maize in Eastern Africa: Experiences from Eastern Kenya.
   [PDF 64KB] Siambi M., A.O. Diallo, H. De Groote, D.K. Friesen and W. Muasya. 2002.
   In Mandefro Nigussie, D. Tanner, and S. Twumasi-Afriyie (eds.). Enhancing the Contribution of Maize to Food Security in Ethiopia: Proceedings of the Second National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, 12-16 November 2001, Addis
   Ababa, Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) and International Maize and Wheat Improvement
   Center (CIMMYT). pp. 223-231.
6. Participatory Research for Breeding Drought Resistant Maize Varieties in Eastern Kenya, experience with Mother and Baby trials. [PDF 595KB]
   Siambi M., H. De Groote, D. Friesen, . A. Diallo, and W. Muasya. 2001
   Exchange Paper presented at the International Symposium on Participatory
   Plant Breeding and Participatory Plant Genetic Resource Management: An of Experiences, Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire, 7-10 May, 2001.

Maize sector study (Credit, Seed, Marketing, and Adoption Studies)

• Community-Based Maize Seed Production in Coastal Lowland Kenya [PDF 176KB]
  Chivatsi, W. S., G.M. Kamau, E.N. Wekesa, A.O. Diallo and H. De Groote .
  2004.
  In: Friesen D.K. and A. F. E. Palmer (eds.). Integrated Approaches to Higher Maize Productivity in the New Millennium. Proceedings of the 7th Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Maize Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 - 15
  February 2002. Mexico, D. F.: CIMMYT, pp. 446-451
• Adoption of Maize Technologies in East Africa - What Happened to Africa's Emerging Maize Revolution? [PDF 169KB]
  De Groote H., C. Doss, S. D. Lyimo and W. Mwangi. 2002.
  Paper presented at the FASID Forum V, “Green Revolution in Asia and its Transferability to Africa”, Tokyo, December 8-10, 2002.
• What happened to the maize revolution in Kenya? PDF 273KB]
  De Groote H., G. Owuor, M. Odendo, J. O. Ouma, and K.Danda. 2003.
  Paper presented at the FASID conference, “Green Revolution in Asia and its Transferability to Africa II”, Durban, August 15-16, 2003
• Adoption of Maize and Wheat technologies in East Africa: Synthesis of the Findings of 22 Case Studies [PDF 203KB]
  Doss, C., W. Mwangi, H. Verkuijl, and H. De Groote. 2003.
  CIMMYT Economics Working Paper 03-06. Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT. 32 p.
• The Seed Industry for Dryland Crops in Eastern Kenya. [PDF 244KB]
  Muhammad L., K. Njoroge, C. Bett, W. Mwangi, H. Verkuil and H. De Groote.
  2002 Mexico, D.F.: Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and International     Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT).
• The Hybrid Maize Seed Industry in the Transnzoia District of Western Kenya. [PDF 173KB]
  Nambiro E., H. De Groote and W. Oluoch K’Osura. 2004.
  In: Friesen D.K. and A. F. E. Palmer (eds.). Integrated Approaches to Higher Maize Productivity in the New Millennium. Proceedings of the 7th Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Maize Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 - 15
  February 2002. Mexico, D. F.: CIMMYT, pp. 474-479.
• An Assessment of the Factors Affecting Adoption of Maize Production Technologies in Embu District, Kenya. [PDF 145KB]
  Okuro, J. O., F. M. Murithi, H. Verkuijl, W. Mwangi , H. De Groote, M. Gethi.
  2000. Paper presented at the 7th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference, 13-17
  November 2000. pp. 45-56
• Adoption of Maize`Seed and Fertilizer Technologies in Embu District, Kenya. [PDF 296KB]
  Ouma, J.O., F.M. Murithi, W. Mwangi, H. Verkuijl, M. Gethi, H. De Groote.
  2002.     Mexico, D.F.: CIMMYT. 22 p.
• Adoption of Maize Seed and Fertilizer Technologies in Embu District, Kenya [PDF 287KB]
• Impact of Financial Self-Help Groups on Agricultural Production: Small-scale maize farmers in Ukwala Division of Siaya District-Kenya. [PDF 184KB]
  Owuor G., H. De Groote and S. Wangia. 2004.
  In: Friesen D.K. and A. F. E. Palmer (eds.). Integrated Approaches to Higher Maize Productivity in the New Millennium. Proceedings of the 7th Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Maize Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 - 15 February 2002. Mexico, D. F.: CIMMYT, pp. 407-412.
• Review Of Maize Marketing In Kenya: Implementation And Impact Of Liberalization, 1989-1999. [PDF 268KB]
  Wangia C., S. Wangia and H. De Groote. 2004.
  In: Friesen D.K. and A. F. E. Palmer (eds.). Integrated Approaches to Higher Maize Productivity in the New Millennium. Proceedings of the 7th Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Maize Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 - 15
  February 2002. Mexico, D. F.: CIMMYT, pp. 10-20.
• Adoption of Maize Production Technologies in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya. [PDF 369KB]
  Wekesa E., W. Mwangi, H. Verkuijl, K. Danda, H. De Groote. 2003.
  Mexico, D.F.: Mexico, D.F.: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), 22 pp.
• Adoption of Maize Production Technologies in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya [PDF 363 KB]

Biotechnology, GMOs and Regulatory Issues

• Global Trends in Agricultural Biotechnology and CIMMYT's Biotechnology Program. [PDF 200KB]
  De Groote H., D. Hoisington, S. Mugo, and D. Friesen. 2001.
  Paper presented at the seminar “Kenya and Global Genetic Revolution:
  Towards a Systematic Biosafety Regime”, organized by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and the African Center for Technology Studies (ACTS). Nairobi, 30 October 2001.
• Debunking the myths of GM crops for Africa: the case of Bt maize in Kenya. [PDF 238KB]
  De Groote H., S. Mugo, D. Bergvinson, G. Owuor and B. Odhiambo. 2004.
  Paper presented at the American Association of Agricultural Economics Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado, August 1-4, 2004.
  (available on agecon search: http://agecon.lib.umn.edu)
• Debunking the myths of GM crops for Africa: the case of Bt maize in Kenya [PDF 2.3MB]
  De Groote H., S. Mugo, D. Bergvinson, G. Owuor and B. Odhiambo. 2004.
  Presentation made at the Biotechnology and Biosafety Workshop, 28th May 2004, Stem Hotel, Nakuru,Kenya; at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome (February 3, 2004); the Institute for Research on Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi (June 15, 2004); and CIMMYT, Mexico (July 8, 2004) (latest version of presentation)
• Can Bt maize alleviate poverty in Africa? [PDF 938KB]
  De Groote H., and S. Mugo. 2004.
  Paper presented at the Regional Consultation on Genetic Engineering/GMOs For Development in Eastern And Southern Africa”, Nairobi Safari Club, 20- 22 September 2004, Nairobi, Kenya.
• Consumer awareness and attitudes toward GM foods in Kenya [PDF 147KB ]
  Kimenju S., H. De Groote, J. Karugia, S. Mbogoh and D. Poland. 2004.
  IRMA working paper 2004-01.
• Using Biotechnology in Developing New Maize Varieties in Kenya: Addressing Concerns in the IRMA Project [PDF 317KB]Mugo S., H. De Groote, B. Odhiambo, J. Songa, M. Mulaa D. Bergvinson, and H. Hoisington. 2000.
  Paper presented at the the 7th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference, 13-17 November 2000. pp 513-522
• Advances in Developing Insect Resistant Maize Varieties for Kenya within the Insect Resistant Maize For Africa (IRMA) Project [PDF 191KB]
  Mugo S., H. De Groote, J. Songa, M. Mulaa, B. Odhiambo, C. Taracha, D. Bergvinson, D. Hoisington, and M. Gethi. 2004.
  A. F. E. Palmer (eds.). Integrated Approaches to Higher Maize Productivity in the New Millennium. Proceedings of the 7th Eastern and Southern Africa &Regional Maize Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 - 15 February 2002. Mexico, D. F.: CIMMYT, pp. 31-37
• Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) Project: An overview. [PDF 212KB]
  Mugo S., J. Songa, H. DeGroote and D. Hoisington. 2002. Paper presented at the symposium “Perspectives on the Evolving Role of Private/Public Collaborations in Agricultural Research” organized by the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, Washington, D.C., USA, June 25 2002, (also presented to the Syngenta Staff in Greensboro, NC, USA, June 26 2002, and to the Syngenta staff in Basel, Switzerland, June 27 2002.)
• Recent Advances towards Insect Resistant Maize through Conventional and Bt Technology in Kenya, [PDF 109KB]
  Mugo S, B. Odhiambo, H. De Groote, and D. Bergvinson. 2005. Paper prepared for presentation at the 2nd General Meeting of thenbsp;  Rockefeller FoundationSupported Program – Biotechnology, Breeding, and Seed Systems for African Crops, Nairobi, Kenya , January 24- 27, 2005
• Who Will Gain From Adopting Bt Maize In Kenya? [PDF 210KB]
  Owuor G., M. Smale, H. De Groote. 2004. Crop Biotechnology for Africa:
  Paper presented at the American Association of Agricultural Economics Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado, August 1-4, 2004. (available on agecon search: AGECON SEARCH.
• Diagnostic research to enable adoption of transgenic crop varieties by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. [PDF 146KB]
  Smale, M. and H. De Groote. 2003.
  African Journal of Biotechnology 2 (12),pp. 586-595,
  Visit Website.
• Towards Development of Environmentally Safe, Insect Resistant Maize Varieties for Food Security in Kenya, [PDF 175KB]
  Songa J.M, S. Mugo, M. Mulaa, C. Taracha, D. Bergvinson, D. Hoisington and
  H. De Groote. 2002

Impact assessment

• "Humanizing" the agricultural technology development process: A review of & social science research at CIMMYT. Bellon M.R., M. Morris, J. Ekboir, E. Meng, H. De Groote, G. Saín. 2002 Paper presented at the CGIAR Social Research Conference “Looking to the Future, Learning from the Past,” 11-14 September 2002, CIAT, Cali, .
  Colombia. Download [PDF 52KB]
• Maize yield losses from stem borers in Kenya.
  De Groote H. 2002.
  Insect Science and its Application, 22 (2): 89-96. [PDF 271KB]
• Assessing the potential impact of Bt maize in Kenya using a GIS based model.
  De Groote H., B. Overholt, L. J. O. Ouma, S. Mugo. 2003. Paper presented at the 25th International Conference of the International Association of Agricultural Economists, Durban, South Africa 16-22 August 2003. Download [PDF 202KB]
• Direct estimation of maize crop losses due to stemborers, preliminary results of a national field survey in Kenya. De Groote H., J. O. Ouma, M. Odendo, L. Mose. 2004.
  In: Friesen D.K. and A. F. E. Palmer (eds.). Integrated Approaches to Higher Maize Productivity in the New Millennium. Proceedings of the 7th Eastern nd Southern Africa Regional Maize Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 - 15 February2002. Mexico, D. F.: CIMMYT, pp. 401-406.
  Download [PDF 154KB]
• Socio-Economic, Ecological and Policy Impact Assessment in the Introduction of a Transgenic Staple Crop Variety to the Developing World - the Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) Project, Kenya. [PDF 97KB]
  Ely A., H. De Groote, and S. Mugo 2002
  In: Watson, D.J. (ed). 2003. International Conference on Impacts of Agricultural Research and Development: Why has Impact Assessment Research not Made More of a Difference? Proceedings of a conference organized by the Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) of the Interim Science Council, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and the Economics Program, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), 4-7 February 2002, San José, Costa ica. Mexico D.F.: CIMMYT. P. 82.

Biodiversity in Maize

• Owuor G., H. De Groote, M. Smale. 2003. Maize Productivity and On-Farm Conservation Trade-Offs in Kenya. Poster presented at the 25^th International Conference of the International Association of Agricultura Economists, Durban, South Africa 16-22 August 2003.
• De Groote H., J. O. Okuro, C. Bett, L. Mose, M. Odendo, E. Wekesa. 2002.
  Using participatory methods to quantify functional biodiversity in maize and to measure the effect of by biotechnology on biodiversity. Poster presented at the 10th Congress of the European Association of Agricultural Economists (EAAE) Congress, Zaragoza Spain, August 28-31, 2002.

Other traits interesting to IRMA (QPM, Vitamin A enriched, herbicide resistance)

• Wangare L., H. De Groote, and F. Kanampiu. 2003. Economic Analysis of Herbicide Coated Maize to Combat Striga. Poster presentation accepted for presentation at the 25^th International Conference of the International Association of Agricultural Economists, Durban, South Africa 16-22 August 2003.
• Nyanamba T., H. De Groote; R. Wahome. 2003. Quality Protein Maize For The Feed Industry In Kenya. Poster presented at the International Agricultura Economics Association Durban, August 2003.
• Kanampiu F., J. Ransom, D. Friesen, A. Diallo, H. De Groote, and J. Gressel. forthcoming. Herbicide-Resistant Maize Allows Controlling Intransigent Witchweeds (Striga spp.) -The Major Constraint to Subsistence Maize Production in Africa. In: J. M. Jaynes, L. Destefano-Beltran and R. A. Sawyer (eds.), Global Impact of Genetic Engineering on Food and Environment, Marcel Dekker, New York