**2. Modernizing maize technologies**

There are 12 key technologies to modernize production and post-harvest management of maize in Africa. These technologies include: (1) drought-tolerant maize varieties to strengthen the resilience of food production, (2) imazapyr-resistant maize varieties that withstand parasitic striga weeds, (3) golden maize varieties with provitamin A biofortification for improved human nutrition, (4) a streamlined licensing mechanism for commercial multiplication of hybrid maize varieties, (5) information and communication technology (ICT) platforms offering ready access to digital information, (6) contracted farm mechanization services, (7) better fertilizer blends together with top-dressed nitrogen for improved nutrient supply, (8) rotating and intercropping with nitrogen-fixing grain legumes to improve soil health, (9) applying herbicides for pre- and post-emergent weed control, (10) controlling the biological invasion of fall armyworm (FAW) through integrated practices, and (11) countering aflatoxin contamination through atoxic competitors, (12) improved post-harvest handling. Further details on each of these 12 technologies follow.
