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About the Program on Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for African Crops To
seize the opportunity created by recent breakthroughs in genetics and
farmer-based approaches to breeding by implementing a program on genetic
improvement and dissemination of new varieties of African food crops.
By focusing genetic sciences on key biological and environmental
constraints to crop production in Africa in a range of crops critical to
food security, and involving farmers directly in their design and
evaluation, new varieties can serve a critical role in boosting
productivity among small-scale farmers in Africa.
Through decentralized seed multiplication and the development of
private seed companies, farmers can have ready access to seed of essential
food crops that produce a larger and more dependable harvest. The centerpiece of the strategy is the operation of a continuum of research and product development investments which span the domains of biotechnology, breeding and seed systems and that result in locally relevant crop varieties that are accessible to farmers. The program supports work on seven crops of importance to food security throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Maize and cassava - Africa’s leading staple food crops - are given highest priority. Grant funding is also targeted to improvement strategies with high potential for impact focused on common beans, sorghum, rice, banana, and cowpea. The program’s primary geographic focus is Eastern and Southern Africa.
Grantees/Investment partners may include any institution or individual engaged in relevant crop research and variety development activities of importance to small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. To-date, these have included national agricultural research institutes, international agricultural research centers, NGOs, and small and medium-sized private seed companies. The program has an active interest in the continuing development of crop scientists in Africa. Each year the program sponsors 10 or more Ph.D. training fellowships aimed at equipping African professionals to better manage the crop variety development challenges of their home countries. The program supports an intensive Ph.D. crop breeding training program at the University of Natal in Pietermartzburg, South Africa. It also sponsors a number of Ph.D. fellows training in applied crop biotechnology at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. M.Sc. training in crop sciences is sponsored by The Rockefeller Foundation through its Forum Project headquartered at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and through a separate grant to the University of Zambia. Below are listed some of the program outputs which have reached farmers to-date. Fuller descriptions of these outputs can be found on this website. A number of additional products are in various stages of development.
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