The program will operate in five countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, with the benefits expected to spill over into other countries in eastern and southern Africa.

Food availability and access are major concerns in this region.

More than half the population of 400 million people live in extreme poverty and about 70 per cent depend on agriculture.

Maize is the staple food crop in the region, with legumes providing a valuable source of dietary protein.

Demand for maize and legumes is likely to increase considerably over coming years.

However, poor weather conditions and weaknesses in crop management and varieties are holding back production of these important food crops.

The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) will work with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and national agricultural research institutes in each of the five partner countries to help boost food security in eastern and southern Africa.

Australia’s assistance will support research, testing and development of farming techniques specific to drought affected regions.

It will also help develop drought and disease tolerant maize and legume varieties and educate farmers about new crop varieties and technologies.

The program aims to lift crop productivity by 30pc and reduce year-to-year produce variation by 30pc on approximately half a million farms within 10 years.