IBP to attend CORAF/WECARD side event at FARA Celebrations

During the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)’s 15th anniversary celebrations in Johannesburg, South Africa (25-28 Nov.), Dr Jean-Marcel Ribaut, GCP Director, is attending the side event organised by CORAF/WECARD: ‘CORAF/WECARD tools for strengthening agricultural research partnership’.

During this side event, CORAF/WECARD s?takeholders will share information on major outputs they have generated from collaborative research activities in West and Central Africa.

Dr Ribaut will be presenting a general overview of the Integrated Breeding Platform (IBP) and of its core product, the Breeding Management System (BMS), as an initiative that will help increase efficiency in targeted breeding programmes by reducing the time and resources required to develop improved, more resilient crop varieties for smallholder farmers in the region.

CORAF/WECARD and GCP have agreed to join forces to deploy the BMS in West and Central Africa. This collaboration will start with the establishment of a first IBP Regional Hubs at CERAAS (Centre d'Étude Régional pour l'Amélioration de l'Adaptation à la Sécheresse – a regional research centre for the improvement of adaptation to drought) in Senegal. The confirmation of other hubs will take place over time based on demand, and building on the establishment of CORAF/WECARD RCE (Regional Centres of Excellence) with significant breeding activities in the region, to actively support BMS users through technical advice, troubleshooting and capacity building activities, 

Over 600 attendees are expected at the FARA celebrations. Among other activities, CGIAR will also be featured in an Open Space Agricultural Technology Fair, with a dedicated booth and six (6) workshops organised in parallel sessions. Finally, outstanding contributors to African agriculture development will be honoured in various ceremonial activities.

See also:

Presentation: Overview of the IBP

Presentation: Overview of BMS functionality