Biofortified Maize Farming Tender

Activity Id:
217649
Project Number:
72052024FA00002
Implementing Partner:
Asociacin Semilla Nueva
Activity Start Date:
N/A
Activity End Date:
2027-08-12
Country:
Guatemala
Country Code:
GTM
Region:
Western Hemisphere
Funding Agency:
U.S. Agency for International Development
Managing Agency:
U.S. Agency for International Development
Fiscal Year:
2024
Current Dollar Amount:
$3,000,000
International Sector:
Agriculture
USG Sector:
Agriculture
Description:
New gene editing technology can transform the ability to scale biofortified maize. Gene editing tools like CRISPR allow us to make these changes at the exact location in the plants DNA where a desired trait, such as Zinc or Iron content, is located. This approach can bypass years of traditional breeding, making it much cheaper and faster to biofortify any maize seed for any part of the world. The use of gene editing will involve minor genetic modifications, so the resulting seeds will be considered non-GMO.