Aflatoxin free complementary food to improve the growth of the children

United States Agency for International Developmen

Operationalizing R4D and innovation platforms in East and Southern Africa

United States Agency for International Developmen

Progress and future prospects in groundnut improvement to feed Africa in the face of technological advancements

Crop productivity is crucial in meeting food demands to feed the growing population in the face of endemic biotic and abiotic stresses. Technological advancement and its application to boost crop productivity would be a pathway towards ensuring food and nutrition security. Dryland legumes including groundnut are suitable in diversification of farming systems as insurance crops to ensure productivity. Crop improvement is one of the pillars towards enhancing productivity by delivering products and services based on demand articulation such as high yielding resilient varieties that are nutrient dense to address the global nutrition agenda. Recent advancements in molecular technology has made it possible to sequence the groundnut genome, develop genetic maps and identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for key traits of importance. These new developments need to be exploited to accelerate the design and development of quality products that fits within the African farming systems. The low genotyping cost has opened avenues for research centers in African countries to embrace the use of genomic selection tools in breeding. This should enhance efficiency in exploiting the wild genetic resource base, broadening the narrow genetic base of groundnut and fast tracking variety release. The use of molecular tools in breeding and wide hybridization techniques coupled with high throughput phenotyping is a new dawn to breeding programs and this would contribute significantly to food security and poverty alleviation in the long run. However, the success in the modernization of breeding for efficiency will be underpinned by pro-active engagement among different actors in the national, regional and international arena to leverage resources and expertise in the omics era for sustained outcomes. Healthy working partnerships are also key to the delivery and utilization of such technologies coupled with learning and feedback for product improvement

Delivering new sorghum and finger millet innovations for food security and improving livelihoods in Eastern Africa

ILRI works with partners worldwide to help poor people keep their farm animals alive and productive, increase and sustain their livestock and farm productivity, and find profitable markets for their animal products. ILRI’s headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya; we have a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and 14 offices in other regions of Africa and Asia. ILRI is part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (www.cgiar.org), which works to reduce hunger, poverty and environmental degradation in developing countries by generating and sharing relevant agricultural knowledge, technologies and policies

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping in Maize for Resistance to Larger Grain Borer

Storability of maize grain is constrained by the larger grain borer (LGB) (Prostephanus truncatus). Host plant resistance is the most feasible way to manage LGB among smallholder farmers. Breeding for resistance to this pest inmaize is dependent on understanding genetic mechanisms underlying the resistance. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with LGB resistance in tropical maize. A mapping populationof 203 F2:3 derived progenies was developed from a cross between susceptible and resistant inbred lines.The F2:3 progenies were crossed to a tester and testcrosses evaluated across six environments, followed by screening for resistance to LGB. Data was collected on husk cover tip length, and grain texture in the field. Biochemical traits were analyzed on the maize grain. Harvested grain was evaluated for resistance and data recorded on grain damage, weight loss, and several insects. Grain hardness was measured as a putative trait of resistance. Univariate analysis of variance for all the traits was done using the general linear model of the statistical analysis system.Genetic mapping was done using Joinmap 4, while QTL analysis was done using PLABQTL. The QTL for resistance were mapped to 6 out of the ten chromosomes. QTL for resistance traits were located in chromosomes 1, 5 and 9.Chromosome 1 had a common QTL linked to protein content, grain hardness, and husk cover tip length. Additive genetic effects were prevalent in all detected QTL. Overall, the studies show that breeding for resistance to LGB is possible

Improving nutritional outcome of children in Tanzania and Malawi

United States Agency for International Developmen

Advances of groundnut breeding and seed systems in Tanzania

Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal L.) is an important oilseed crop, mainly grown by smallholder farmers on 839,631 ha in four agro-ecological zones (Lake, central, western and southern) of Tanzania. The average yield is 965kg/ha with a national production of 810,000 tons. The major production constraints are foliar diseases (rosette, early leaf spot, late leaf spot, and rust), drought, aflatoxin contamination, and low soil fertility. This paper explores the advances made in a breeding program to solve these challenges. The genotype by environment interaction with linkage to good agronomic practices, using effective selection molecular tools, was used and significant achievements were recorded. Eight improved varieties were released with support from ICRISAT-led programs. The newly-released varieties command high-yielding ability (1800-2500 kg/ha), and tolerance to rosette disease and drought, and are highly preferred by farmers and market. The improved varieties increased yields and productivity at the farm level and groundnut production from 400,000- 810000 tons over the last 10 years. Effective seed delivery to smallholder farmers did not automatically follow. The Tropical Legumes Project, through NARI, designed rural seed fairs which are used to create awareness, increase accessibility, and create working contacts among community seed producers. Other seed delivery models tested and used include: farmer research groups, demonstrations, field days, community seed production, radio and TV events, political figures’ engagement and multi-stakeholder engagements. These models have raised awareness, increased demand of improved seed, and enhanced smallholder seed supply at affordable price with a significant number of beneficiaries reached (1,600,000 farmers