Drought tolerant maize varieties are effective in raising yields and smoothing the risks brought on by climate change. But what happens when the droughts are too severe and that seed technology fails? 

MRR Innovation Lab researchers at UC Davis, in partnership with CIMMYT and local private sector seed and insurance companies, merged seed and financial innovations in Mozambique and Tanzania to increase farmer protection, yields and opportunities for growth.

Results show that DTM provided significant protection against mid-season drought. In severe drought, when even the improved seeds failed, in-kind insurance payments promoted resilience by helping farmers to produce even higher yields than in previous years.

Watch the event presentations and discussion on the MRR Innovation Lab YouTube channel.