Recap of Day 1

1. Recap of Day 1 Paul Kimani, University of Nairobi, Kenya DLB Workshop, 29-30 April 2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

2. Contents • Session 1 • Session 2 • Session 3 • Session 4

3. Session 1 • Focus of the session was introduction and scene setting for the DLB Core team meet • Welcome by remarks by: • Prof FirewMekbib to Ethiopia • Prof Gabrielle Parsely- noted that the proposal had to reformulated to meet new proposal format in Australia • As result commencement date is 1 April for three years • End of Project: 31 March 2022 • That Syngenta Foundation has agreed in principle to support Phase 2 • Final approvals pending • Noted there were new team members: Prof Kaye Basefordof the Univ of Queensland, and Dr Nathan King – the project administrator • Formal introductions by one member in each table

4. Sessions 1 –cont’d • Nasser, the project coordinator outlined the project objectives, outputs, outcomes and indicators • Three objectives: • Best practices from public and private sectors in plant variety design • Education and training • Policy analysis and advocacy • Key activities for each objective listed • Cross cutting activities, methods, outputs and communication discussed • He also outlined the deliverables expected • Key among these is publication of DLB Textbook by Dec 2019; (only one draft received so far); annual reports.

5. Session 2 • Session 2 started with a recap of the Objectives, Outputs and timelines of Phase 2 • There was a discussion on what is new in this Phase. It was noted that, while market led breeding has been practised for many years, 80% of the DLB content are new ideas and principles • These ideas have been integrated into a coherent, practical breeding program. • Viv compared key features of public breeding compared to private sector and demand driven breeding • She noted that key features of public breeding included population and line development, field tests, selection, characterisation, national performance trials and meeting regulatory requirements.

6. Session 2 (continued) • In contrast, business driven breeding has several additional features including: • meeting specified performance standards [critical for their reputation and which if broken can to lead to liabilities], • extensive characterisation, • product positioning, • pricing, positioning, • communication, • variety promotion and seed availability before launching new varieties • Andy explained that positioning a new variety involves providing information on: • What is it? [i.e. what are its features] • What it does? [ i.e the benefits] • Who is it for ? [Target market] • Why should farmers buy it rather than the alternative?

7. Product profiles • There was considerable discussion on product profiles • Noted that understanding crop uses and value characteristics were essential in evaluating variety performance and creating technical data sheets, which are used to make product profiles • This information useful in targeting customer segment and product profile design. • Noted that top quality data sheet is characterized by : • Clear positioning statement • Comparative data • Photos • Is attractive • Breeder’s name

8. Crop Expert groups • The participants discussed elements of the proposed Crop Expert groups • Noted that there is need to develop TORs • May include researchers with experience with the crop; be multidisciplinary (breeders, crop protection , nutrition, socio-economics specialists); the industry, communications specialists, among others. • Noted that it may be essential to outsource certain expert information if not available within DLB • Size: max of 6 persons • Requested: Participants to register their interest with the Project Coordinator • Crops: Beans, sorghum, tomato • New Modules: 3 new modules will be developed

9. Policy and advocacy • Discussion was led by JC • Noted that target countries were: • Ethiopia (beans) • Uganda (beans) • Ghana (tomatoes) • Southern Africa ? • Noted that policy formulation is a process and there was need to understand the process and key actors in each target country • Need to identify and provide information to persuade the policy makers on why a particular crop should be supported • There is need to have a clear strategy on how this will be done

10. Other key points • There will be an annual coordination meeting- 29 April was the first one. • Target crops • Beans • Tomatoes • Others: Sorghum, cassava and maize • Key countries: Uganda, Ghana and Ethiopia • Key implementers: BECA, ACCI, CIAT, WACII and UON • Emphasized need to develop product profiles and technical data sheets for each product • Project website- still being discussed • African seed catalogue planned • Capacity building should focus individual and institutional levels

11. Session 3 • This session focused on updates on activities conducted at various DLB nodes and proposed next steps. • ACCI reported on the DLB seminar presented by Prof Shimelis to ICRISAT scientists at Hyderabad, India. He noted that there was interest to learn more about DLB. • George of EiB and Prof Shimelis donated DLB books to ICRISAT scientists and the library • Noted that zero draft for breeders training has been submitted • Prof Shimelis reported that he has been requested to write chapter on breeding for new book. It will focus on DLB

12. EiB • George Koch presented on EiB through video • He explained that EIB was keen to collaborate with DLB and Africa was target area at present • This was followed by intense discussion on which areas for collaboration • Noted that there were similarities and differences between the two. Areas of focus should be identified, terms clarified to avoid confusion • Suggested possible areas for collaboration in developing Modules 2, 3,4 and 5- especially for training future breeders in African universities • Solomon presented the product profile tool

13. Node Updates • Updates were presented by participants from PABRA-CIAT, Makerere University and the University of Nairobi • Prof Chiteka reported on training activities at Makerere • Noted that PABRA will contribute 4 chapters in the DLB Book2 • Clare/Viv reported on gender in DLB meet at Cornell and development of a module of in partnership with GREAT project. • University of Zambia and University of Lilongwe had expressed interest in DLB training • Prof Mekbib and Dr Berhanu reported on DLB activities in Ethiopia. They noted that there will be a training program for breeders and on the recently developed variety catalogue • Paul Kimani presented updated on DLB activities at UON. He noted DLB has been intergrated in Advanced Plant Breeding Course for MSc in Plant Breeding and Biotech students • Joint training of breeders with BECA • Graduate students are encouraged to include DLB principles and practices in their thesis research • LTD, a start-up seed company for UON, and links with policy makers

14. Node Updates • Five new projects with elements of DLB started: Tomato , rice, soybean, marker assisted gamete selection for Andean and Mesoamerican bean populations • He also reported on progress with Food and Seed Industry and activities of UNISEED

15. Session 4 • Project Coordinator reported on survey sent to 600 respondents • Noted that 94 responded • 61 finally analyzed • Sought ideas on how to make the survey more effective • Noted that Dr Walter assisted in contacting respondents in West Africa, where the best response was registered.