CtEH`s Facilities Upgrade and Mechanization Improvement project: Modernizing breeding research stations in Africa for higher genetic gains
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Figure by Julie Puech, Accelerated Breeding and Breeding Resources communications.
CGIAR 6-12-2023
The low utilization of mechanization within CGIAR-NARES breeding programs in Africa is limiting their effectiveness and potential genetic gains. Manual management restricts the number of crosses and progeny assessments that can be performed, also affecting the uniformity and quality of nurseries and trials.
Facility Upgrade and Mechanization Improvement, a fifteen-million-dollar project part of Crops to End Hunger, a multi-funder broad initiative, aims to procure advanced equipment, upgrade infrastructures and establish sustainable service fees at key breeding research stations in Africa. The goal is to transform them into multi-crop hubs delivering high-quality data and supporting breeding programs across the continent.
Four improvement areas to unlock genetic gains
The project focuses on specific areas: mechanization, irrigation, seed processing and storage, and adequate shared services for breeding programs.
To promote mechanization, Facilities Upgrade… equips beneficiary stations with essential equipment such as planters, field preparation machinery, and harvesting tools, accompanied by training and ongoing assistance.
Inadequate and outdated irrigation systems, which have a detrimental impact on nurseries and trials, will be replaced with solar-powered systems wherever feasible. The goal is to double the irrigation capacities of the stations.
To safeguard germplasm and enhance integrity of breeding materials, the project will install state-of-the-art seed processing equipment, such as threshing and cleaning machines, at seven key stations. It will implement efficient drying procedures and provide suitable seed storage conditions, including cold storage facilities.
Addressing infrastructure and capacity limitations that impede standardization across CGIAR-NARES breeding programs is another crucial aspect of the project. Lack of standardization often results in discrepancies in data generation, with some programs adopting mechanized planting while others rely on manual labour.
The project aims to establish shared services facilitated by Breeding Resource Initiative (BRI) and provided by the research stations to multiple breeding programs.
In alignment with the Breeding Process Model (BPM) and the ongoing efforts of the Trialling & Nursery Process Management team (T&N), this project aims to assist breeding stations in developing their service catalogue, including services such as field preparation, planting, weeding, irrigation, seed processing, and other offerings, tailored to the capacity of each station. Fee structures will be established to ensure sustainability by accurately reflecting operational costs.
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