The project CIM-2007-065 started on 1 October 2007 and during this reporting period to 31 May 2008 the following brief progress can be reported.
Wheat and maize yield trials and screening nurseries, in collaboration with ARIA and partners, were planned, designed, prepared and conducted (Appendix 1). The reporting period coincides with our fall planting in 2007 and field observations of spring 2008. The wheat harvest will commence in June-September, depending on the sites, and therefore results will be available during the next reporting period.
A training course on wheat improvement for ARIA researchers, in collaboration with JAICAF/NARP and ARIA, was organised by CIMMYT during 10-29 May, 2008 within MAIL in Kabul. The participants were Afghan researchers involved in wheat research activities. The course was mainly coordinated by Dr. Mahmood Osmanzai with teaching contributions from Dr. Ram C. Sharma, Dr. Mahmood Osmanzai and Dr. Peter Hobbs. M. Khaliq Hazem (NARP) assisted in some of the logistic arrangements. The course was evaluated by the participants as being highly effective and relevant. The details are reported in Section 4 of this report.

This report is a summary of the progress of the project CIM-2007-065 from 1 June 2008 to 31 May 2009. During the reporting period, which coincided with the crop season and fall planting in 2008/09, the yield trials and activities in the screening nurseries were planned, designed, prepared and conducted in collaboration with the Afghanistan Research Institute of Agriculture (ARIA). The project is progressing steadily in four areas of collaborative work with ARIA and the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) to (1) identify suitable varieties by conducting yield trials, (2) develop/adapt appropriate wheat and maize production technologies, (3) build capacity, and (4) multiply base seed of Ug99 resistant experimental varieties.
Two new wheat varieties and three maize open pollinated varieties (OPVs) of CIMMYT origin which were released formally in 2008, were multiplied by seed producing partners. Potential new varieties are in the pipeline. Five Ug99 resistant varieties were further tested and confirmed for yield and resistance in Nojoro, Kenya. Base seed of four Ug99 resistant varieties were multiplied in collaboration with ARIA.
CIMMYT staff involved in the project participated in a number of meetings and contributed in the formulation of policies and procedures and in the provision of advisory services on wheat and maize improvement to partners and NGOs. This contributed to the recognition of the role that CIMMYT and the project play in improving wheat and maize production in Afghanistan. This role was highlighted with the newly initiated partnership with Kabul University's Faculty of Agriculture on wheat and maize research and training.
Progress was made in networking and in strengthening partnerships. This was done through the exchange of ideas, information, knowledge and germplasm, and the provision of on-the-job training to researchers in the partner country. Efforts are underway to identify and prioritize production constraints, to search for means of overcoming technical problems in farm testing and verification. The knowledge gained help to identify and make available and allow appropriate use of varieties, inputs and cultural practices for the improvement of production and the productivity of crops and resources. This will, in turn, result in better livelihoods, improve household food security and reduce poverty.
The following were accomplished in wheat during the reporting period:
1. Two new wheat varieties (Drukhshan-08 and Shishambagh-08) were released
2. Two more promising wheat varieties are in the pipeline for release.
3. Six advanced lines identified in 2007 with promising adult stem rust resistance were tested for adaptation and response to Ug99. Seeds of five lines which showed reasonable resistance were multiplied.
4. A total of 397 promising wheat lines/varieties out of 1467 tested in 68 trials/nurseries were selected and advanced for further evaluation in 2009.
5. Breeder and foundation seeds of recently released varieties were produced by ARIA and partners.
The following were accomplished in maize during the reporting period:
1. A 10-page proposal for the release of three maize OPVs (Sharq-08, Shamal-08 and Jawari Mughazi-08) with technical assistance from CIMMYT, was prepared and successfully accepted by the Variety Release Committee.
2. Seed enterprise partners multiplied the 50-kg base seed of the two varieties which were handed to FAO in 2006. A total of 9 t seed is now available for certified seed production.

The project CIM-2007-065 started on 1 October 2007 and during this reporting period the following brief progress can be reported. The yield trials and screening nurseries in collaboration with ARIA and partners planned, designed, prepared and conducted (Appendixes). The reporting period coincides with 2009 crop season, and fall planting in 2009/10 crop season.
The project is progressing steadily. Collaborative work with ARIA/MAIL in four main areas 1) identify suitable varieties by conducting yield trials 2) developing/adapting appropriate wheat and maize production technologies and 3) capacity building and 4) base seed multiplication of Ug99 resistant experimental and released varieties.
The yield trials and screening nurseries in collaboration with ARIA and partners planned, designed, prepared, conducted and evaluated in 10 sites. Collaborative work with ARIA/MAIL in four main areas 1) identify suitable varieties by conducting yield trials 2) developing/adapting appropriate wheat and maize production technologies 3) capacity building and 4) base seed multiplication of Ug99 resistant and other experimental varieties.
Three new Ug99 resistant wheat varieties (Muqawim 09, Koshan 09 and Baghlan 09) released and seed are multiplied. One OPV maize variety Rampur 9433 of CIMMYT origin is in pre-release and 3000 kg seed of which is produced. It is submitted for release in 2010 by the Variety Release Committee (VRC).
Seeds of released wheat and maize are multiplied by seed producing partners. Potential new varieties are in the pipeline. More Ug99 resistant varieties have been tested further for yield and resistance confirmed in Nojoro, Kenya. Base seed of 11 Ug99 resistant varieties multiplied in partnership with ARIA.
Actively participated in a number of meetings and contributed in formulation of policies and procedures. Also provided advisory services to partners and donor funded NGOs on wheat and maize improvement. This contributed to recognition the role that CIMMYT and the project can play in improving wheat and maize production in Afghanistan. Partnership with Kabul University, Faculties of Agriculture and other partners on wheat and maize research and training strengthened.
Progress has been made on establishment of networking and strengthening of partnership with relevant partners in exchange of ideas, knowledge, information and germplasm. Progress continued on-the-job training of partners. Further efforts are underway in identifying and prioritizing sustainable production constraints, searching means to overcome technical problems to developing technologies and on farm testing and verification. Information gained helps, in identification and availability of appropriate varieties, rationally use of input and appropriate cultural practices in view of improving production and productivity of crops and resources which attribute to house hold food security and poverty reduction with an impact on better livelihoods.
Wheat progress summary
1. 3 new Ug99 resistant wheat varieties released in 2009 and seed are being multiplied.
2. Promising bread wheat, durum and barley lines are in the pipeline for release.
3. 11 stem rust adult plant resistance promising advanced lines identified, sown in the fall of 2009 for multiplication in 2010.
4. 333 promising wheat lines/varieties out of 1177 tested in 57 trials/nurseries have been. selected/advanced sown in 2009 for further evaluation in 2010.
5. Breeder, foundation, registered and certified seed of recently released varieties produced by CIMMYT/ARIA, ISE, ANSOR and other partners as per it relevance.
Maize Progress summary
1. The 2 OPV CIMMYT maize varieties (Sharq-08, Shamal-08) released and are in production. Base seed of the QPM (Mughazi-08) is being multiplied.
2. Base seed of a pre-release CIMMYT OPV Rampur 9433 has been multiplied under protection and 3000 kg seed is available for 2010 crop season. Document and proposal for release prepared and is submitted for release.

A new Ug99 resistant, high yielding wheat variety "Chonte #1" with an average yield potential of 4.5 ton/ha has been released in 2010.
 A new maize variety "Rampur 9433" renamed by the national system as "Zudras" with an average yield potential of 6.0 ton/ha has been released.
 The project so far has successfully contributed to the release of four Ug99 resistant high yielding wheat varieties in the country.
 These varieties together account for 9% of certified seed under production this season for commercial use in 2011-12.
 The project so far has contributed to the release of four maize varieties.
 439 promising selections from last years trials were selected and sown this year for further testing at nine locations in the country.
 A total of 55 trials have been sown this year at nine locations totaling 207 experiments.
 National Rust Screening Nursery with 116 accessions comprising of all promising, check varieties and seed chain varieties has been initiated as a surveillance tool for wheat diseases. Sown at eight locations this year.
 More than five tons of base seed of latest release wheat variety "Chonte #1" produced in 2010.
 Base seed of Zudras under production.
 406 Kg base seed of QPM maize variety "Mughazi" produced.
 41 farmer field demonstrations organized in 2010.
 Eight Afghan researchers sent abroad for international trainings.
 67 Afghan researchers trained in three in country trainings.
 Project staff participated and contributed to a large number of meetings and workshop inside and outside the country.
 Project has become visible with strong partnership with other stakeholders in the country including the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) of the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the National Agricultural Research System represented by Agricultural Research Institute of Afghanistan (ARIA), ICARDA and other international aid agencies and donors viz., USDA, USAID, JICA, FAO etc.