ACNS-10, March 2007

ACNS-10 brings you special coverage on research towards improved crops and seed systems in Africa that is funded by the Improved Crop Varieties (ICV) Program of The Rockefeller Foundation. This is part of the countdown to the Program’s conference to be held on 26-29 March, 2007 in Maputo, Mozambique.  We welcome your comments.

By African Crops News Team

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Third General Meeting on Biotechnology, Breeding & Seed Systems for African Crops - ICV3, 26-29 March,  2007, Maputo, Mozambique

The ICV3 conference is organized by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique (IIAM). The objective of the meeting is to give plant breeders, molecular biologists, and seed specialists linked to the Foundation's program on African Crops an opportunity to report and review the progress made since the last meeting in Nairobi, Kenya during January, 2005. The meeting will also serve to demonstrate the most effective methods for crop genetic improvement and seed supply in Africa, and provide program leaders with new opportunities for linking up with efforts at developing better crops for African farmers. The meeting will involve over 300 participants and include focus sessions on such diverse topics as molecular breeding for variety development and the emergence of private, independent seed trade in Africa. A field day will be conducted to showcase on-going crop improvement research within IIAM. The conference program, information for participants, posters and other information are available at http://www.africancrops.net/rockefeller/icv3. The complete description of the research work and outputs from the Rockefeller Foundation's program on African Crops is available at http://www.africancrops.net/rockefeller. The Africancrops.net Team will keep all readers updated with the daily highlights and outcomes of the conference. Enquiries can be sent to: crops@rockfound.org or africancrops@wananchi.com.

Reports  Back up

Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) II 

Stephen Mugo, CIMMYT, Kenya

IRMA II “Delivering products to Farmers” is the second phase of IRMA Project that is a collaborative effort between CIMMYT and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). The project aims at producing stem borer resistant, locally-adapted maize varieties for various Kenyan agro-ecological zones using conventional and biotechnology-mediated approaches. Transgenic maize containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes is a focal point of the project. The project publishes a quarterly newsletter IRMA Updates that disseminates progress reports. Some of the outputs of the programe include the introduction of Bt maize for testing in Kenya, release of two insect resistant maize OPVs and nine insect resistant maize hybrids nominated into NPT testing for 2006/2007, characterizations of non-target organisms in maize systems, and development of a draft IRM strategy. Awareness creation and contributions were made towards developing a national biotechnology policy and a proposed biosafety bill. Maize sector studies were conducted and various personnel trained in biosafety and biotechnology, and biosafety facilities established at KARI. The complete description of the project and abstracts of various journal articles is available at http://www.africancrops.net/news/march07/irma or by writing to Stephen Mugo of CIMMYT: s.mugo@cgiar.org. Comments about this article can be posted at the Maize Forum of the African Crops Message and Discussion Board or by email: s.mugo@cgiar.org.

  The New Seed Initiative for Maize in Africa (NSIMA)

John MacRobert, CIMMYT, Harare

The New Seed Initiative for Maize in Africa (NSIMA) Project has the goal of stimulating the development and delivery of improved maize varieties to farmers in southern Africa. The underlying rationale of this Project is that most smallholder farmers are not using improved seeds, which affects agricultural productivity. The project fostered the development of improved and adapted maize varieties with the National Maize Breeding Programmes in seven SADC countries and funded the breeding activities of CIMMYT-Harare. Several new maize breeding lines, open-pollinated varieties and hybrids have been released into the seed sector.  The Project has supported 336 variety trials with 117 varieties being tested in 2006/7 season. Selected varieties will then be tested in farmers’ fields using the Mother-Baby Trial system. Many of the breeding materials and varieties developed by the project are taken up by NARS and the private seed sector, and entered into the National Variety Registration Processes. A total of 98 maize varieties were released jointly with the private sector in South Africa and 30 new varieties released in six other states during 2006. NSIMA supported the SADC Seed Security Network to formulate a SADC Seed System that was endorsed by Ministries of Agriculture in all the SADC states. NSIMA also contributed in Breeders’ and Foundation Seed production, and supported training and technical back-stopping activities for NARS, NGOs, private seed producers and universities. A comprehensive description of activities and outputs of NSIMA visit http://www.africancrops.net/news/march07/nsima or contact John MacRobert, CIMMYT - African Livelihoods Program, Harare, Zimbabwe, Email: j.macrobert@cgiar.org. Comments about this article can be posted at the Maize Forum of the African Crops Message and Discussion Board or by email to: j.macrobert@cgiar.org.

Introduction of NERICA Rice in Central African Republic

Koma D. Ben-Bala, RINATED, Bangui

Cassava is the main source of food in Central African Republic and accounts for 80% of the national consumption. When its production started declining in the 1990s, rice was identified as the appropriate alternative with increased imports and local cultivation. In 2005, ten NERICA varieties (6 upland and 4 rain-fed lowland varieties) were acquired from Benin Republic and on-farm demonstrations established. Three varieties NERICA-3, NERICA-4 and NERICA-7 were selected for introduction to farmers due to their better yield, resistance to disease and early maturity. We only validated results of upland rice varieties. NERICA varieties showed wonderful resistance to drought and various diseases. Mean grain yields of 200-600 kg/ha were realized. The low yields were caused by limited rainfall (15mm). More experiments are needed to collect dependable data on the performance of the rice varieties during periods of long rains. Multiplication of seed and further selection of varieties is needed with more involvement of farmers in selection. These efforts will contribute to improvement of the seed sector and food security in Central African Republic. For more information, visit http://www.africancrops.net/news/march07/nerica or contact Koma D. Ben-Bala, Research on Innovative and Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Development (RINATED); Email: kd_bbala@yahoo.co.uk. Comments about this article can be posted and shared through the Rice Forum of the African Crops Message and Discussion Board or by email to: africancrops@wananchi.com. 

 Announce  Back up

The 2007 Trieste Science Prize. The Prize has been named Trieste Science Prize in recognition of the unique and fundamental role that the Trieste System of scientific institutions plays in promoting science and technology in the developing world. Candidates must be nationals of developing countries, working and living in the South. The prizes will only be awarded to individuals for scientific research of outstanding international merit carried out at institutions in developing countries. Deadline is 31 March 2007. Apply here: http://www.ictp.trieste.it/~twas/honor/TSP_info.html.

publications  Back up

African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AfJARE). The first issue of journal of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) has been launched in electronic form on the journal website. Access and download the Volume 1, No. 1 Issue articles from www.aaae-africa.org/afjare. Information about the Association is available at its website www.aaae-africa.org.  Contact the Editor at: afjare@up.ac.za.

The African Journal of Agricultural Research (AJAR) is fully committed to providing free access to all articles. The journal is currently accepting manuscripts for publication. AJAR publishes peer-reviewed, high-quality solicited and unsolicited articles, in English, in all areas of agriculture. Our objective is to inform authors of the decision on their manuscript within three weeks of submission. Instruction for authors and other details are available on our website www.academicjournals.org/ajar. Send manuscript(s) to ajar@academicjournals.org.

The Higher Education Bulletin (HEB). This is a monthly magazine published in Nairobi, Kenya by Education Media Ltd. The magazine covers information on colleges and universities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.  It publishes information on learning opportunities in higher education, research and training funding; policy issues on higher education at regional and national level in East Africa; career opportunities and issues and other relevant educational topics. The March-April 2007 issue is currently available in several retail outlets.  Full description of the magazine http://www.africancrops.net/news/dec06/hebulletin.htm. To subscribe, contribute articles or make inquiries, contact the Editor by email: hebulletin@gmail.com.
 

 conferences  Back up

2007 Scientific Events. An extensive listing of upcoming conferences, meetings, workshops and trainings for 2007 is available at http://www.seedquest.com/Calendar/2007.htm.

8th African Crop Science Society Conference. 27-31 October 2007, El-Minia, Egypt. Full papers should be submitted by 30 April 2007. Upload abstracts, register, view program and more information at conference website http://www.acss2007.org

The Second Regional Nematology Training Course. 6 July – 5 August 2007. The Nematology Initiative for Eastern and Southern Africa in collaboration with the Gatsby Charitable Foundation is offering a three week course in identification, biology and management of plant-parasitic nematodes.  Applicants must apply by 30 April 2007 to: Dr. Zibusiso Sibanda, msibabd@ecoweb.co.zw, or visit http://www.africancrops.net/Training/nematology.htm.  For more information about NIESA visit www.africannematology.info

International Agricultural Training Centre (IATC) programmes will be held at the Galillee College study centre, Israel during April 19th – May 7th. 2007. Apply now at: www.galilcol.ac.il or contact Noam Nevo at email: nnevo@galilcol.ac.il.

Fourth African Agricultural Science Week, June 10 – 16, 2007, Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton city, Johannesburg, South Africa. To apply visit http://www.faraweek.org or email: secretariat@faraweek.org.  

Call For Papers: The 10th Triennial Symposium Of The International Society For Tropical Root Crops - Africa Branch (Istrc-Ab), 8 - 12 October 2007, Joaquim Chissano Conference Centre, Maputo, Mozambique. Abstracts due 01 May 2007. To register and make inquiries e-mail: ISTRC-AB2007-Mozambique@cgiar.org

Breeding of Orphan Crops in Africa, 19-21 September 2007, Bern Switzerland. Register at http://www.botany.unibe.ch/deve/orphancrops/index.htm.

COVIDSET 2007: Second African Regional Conference of Vice-Chancellors and Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET 2007), Eskom Convention Centre, Midrand, South Africa   25 - 27 September 2007. Submission of abstracts is 31 March 2007. Contact organizers at: conferencepapers@ansti.org, Website: http://www.ansticonference.org

resources Back up

CGIAR Virtual Library: A New Online Resource for Agricultural Development Professionals. The CGIAR Virtual Library (CGVlibrary) is an internet gateway that allows agriculture and development specialists to search an interdisciplinary array of leading databases on agriculture, food policy, and the environment.  It enables users to retrieve thousands of full-text documents, abstracts, or references from the online libraries of the CGIAR research centers and over 160 other databases. Users can access more than 4,000 online journals without any registration or fees. Visit: http://vlibrary.cgiar.org.

The Rockefeller Foundation Innovation Initiative. The Foundation’s Innovation Initiative aims to spur the development of innovations to help poor or vulnerable people around the world. The Initiative hopes to increase the number of solutions to development problems. It will enhance the process of innovation by funding access of researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs working on development problems to proven innovation models and resources worldwide. Visit website at http://www.innocentive.com.

Book of Abstracts, First International Meeting on Cassava Breeding, Biotechnology and Ecology, Brasilia 11-15 November 2006. Organized by the University of Brasilia and The Ministry of Environment. Convener: Prof. Dr. Nagib Nassar. Download the book at http://www.africancrops.net/news/march07/cassava.pdf.

US National Academy of Sciences on Lost Crops of Africa.  Recently edited volume on grains is available at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/DSC/Lost_Crops_of_Africa.html

Seed Info. The electronic version of Seed Info No. 32 (January 2007 edition) is now available at the ICARDA website: http://www.icarda.org/News/Seed%20Info/SeedInfo_32/SeedInfo_32.htm

First Africa Rice Congress Presentations. Presentations from the first Africa Rice Congress held in Tanzania from 31 July to 4 August 2006 are now available online. Papers at the congress considered the issues of integrated pest management; socio-economics; natural resource management; technology transfer and rice breeding and crop improvement (including genomics and use of genetic markers).  The presentations are available at http://www.warda.cgiar.org/africa-rice-congress/presentations.html or contact warda@cgiar.org  for more information.

Grant for Cassava Promotion in Africa. During January 2007, The W.K.Kellog Foundation gave US $599,800 to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture to promote NEPAD Pan Africa Cassava Initiative (NPACI). Press release

New Book: GM Crops – The Impact and the Potential by Jennifer Thomson, CSIRO Publishing.  The book examines the issues and concerns surrounding the development of genetically modified crops and their impacts on the environment. Order from http://publish.csiro.au/nid/18/pid/5399.htm.

Compositae Genome Project Database by the University of California at Davis http://cgpdb.ucdavis.edu/sitemap.html.

funding  Back up

CRP-ICGEB Call for Research Proposals 2007. The Call is open to ICGEB Affiliated Centres. Deadline is 31 March 2007. For General Information and Conditions for Application visit www.icgeb.org.

Acns11 Back up

We invite articles, announcements and other information for the next issue of AFRICAN CROPS NEWS SERVICE that comes out in the second week of April 2007. To see previous newsletters, go to: http://www.africancrops.net/news. 

About The African Crops News Service!

The African Crops News Service covers current research and developments in improvement of African crops and seed systems. The service compliments the africancrops.net website to enhance further the sharing of news and information from projects supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and those by other organizations. The service team welcomes short articles and information on your project and organization, research networks and country for inclusion in the upcoming issues of the newsletter. Read more on the African Crops News Service at http://africancrops.net/news/.

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