A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico, recently, to foster collaborative research opportunities for postgraduate students. CIMMYT, a global leader in maize and wheat research, partners with organizations worldwide to enhance the productivity of maize and wheat cropping systems, contributing to global food security and poverty reduction. TNAU, mandated with agricultural education, research, and extension services in Tamil Nadu, aims to establish academic collaborations with CIMMYT.
During the signing ceremony, Senthil, Dean (SPGS) at TNAU, highlighted the importance of the meeting, stating that the collaboration aims to advance scientific knowledge and capacity building in areas such as molecular breeding, phenotyping services, germplasm utilization, and double haploid (DH) services for the Asian Maize Breeding Programme. Both parties expressed their commitment to developing specific research projects that facilitate the introduction of high-performing crops in the Indian market.
Representatives from TNAU, including Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, and Prasanna, Director of CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program and OneCGIAR Global Maize Breeding Lead, signed the agreement, emphasizing the significance of this academic collaboration. Dignitaries from both organizations, including Tamizh Vendan, Registrar, and Govindaraj from CIMMYT, were present at the signing ceremony.