Update on Capacity Building through IBP

1. Update on Capacity Building through IBP IBP annual meeting, June 2011 Wageningen

2. CB to enable MB and product delivery • Platform of training resources and a cadre of trained scientists to apply advanced technologies and add value to GCP products • Research and learning opportunities for GCP collaborators and NARS scientists to further GCP mission and progress • Systems for ensuring product delivery • Development and implementation of support services

3. What the IBP will offer Access to Breeding Services: • well characterised and useful genetic resources • quality, economic high throughput genotyping • sophisticated phenotype and metabolite analyses Access to Informatics Tools: • for breeding logistics and data management • analysis and decision support for molecular breeding • accumulated public crop information of certified quality Capacity Development - Training and support for: • planning and comparing breeding strategies • data management and curation and quality control • analysis and decision support • use of markers and molecular breeding techniques • phenotyping sites and protocols • use and protection of intellectual property Community development • support for communities of practice by crop or discipline • facilitation of germplasm exchange

4. Support services GSS (Genotyping support service) • GSS was started in 2007 • Facilitates access to molecular breeding technologies fororganizations from the developing countries • Implemented through subcontracting genotyping work with service providers with the state-of-the-art technologies • Accepted through open calls • Average funding around 10k USD with maximum of 15k

5. GSS Projects by Country

6. GSS Projects by Crop

7. Evolution of GSS (2011) • Focus on GCP projects (TL1 and RI) • Strengthen NARS capacity to carry MAS activities • Introduce MAS in PhDprogrammes (ACCI & WACCI) • Small MB projects • Application of available markers from previous projects • Focus on RI crops • Introduction to MAB via CoPs

8. Support services Training • TL1 and RI communities • Data Management Workshops • West Africa (Breeding management system: pedigree, germplasm list, data curation, use of handhelds) • TL1 annual meeting (IBP Fieldbook) • Analysis and Decision support • QTL analysis • Selection indices

9. Support services Training • Phenotyping support • Station managers (communication, record system, maintenance systems, field operations, equipment use, supervision of field activities)

10. Communities of Practice (CoP) • Breeding support through IBP • Bring people together • Share of knowledge and skill sets • Initiation of MAS programmes in the public sector including NARS in Africa and Asia • Training on MAS • Training on Data management • Forms core groups for future funding opportunities

11. Where are we? Rice in the Mekong region • 2007 GCP project built on previous project funding from Rockefeller Foundation • Build on Thailand experience w/MAS to train scientists in the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) • Improve popular rice varieties from the region by introgression of desireable traits: • salinity tolerance • cooking traits • aroma • Get deliverable products

12. Where are we? Rice in the Mekong region (outputs) • Breeding activities: • Popular rice varieties improved • Capacity building: • Hands on training • Video on laboratory techniques to carrying out MAS. • Enthusiasm of each institute to learn and apply MB • Share of knowledge on QTL and MAS • Transfer to partner institutes through workshops

13. Where are we? Breeding for Cassava in Africa • Breeding activities: • Improved farmer preferred varieties for CMD and CGM using MAS • Gene pyramiding for CMD resistance (CMD2 and CMD3) • Marker-assisted introgression of CMD resistance into CBSD tolerance genetic background in East Africa • Marker-aided germplasm transfer from primary center of diversity for novel traits • Molecular characterization of local germplasm • Development of advanced breeding populations • Fast-track MAS-based breeding scheme

14. Where are we? Breeding for Cassava in Africa • Capacity building • Training of post graduate students, research assistants • Molecular breeding and data analysis Workshops • Simple MAS facilities • Sharing knowledge on Phenotyping and MAB applications • Transfer Marker technology to partners through hands-on training workshop • Information exchange (data) • Breeder to breeder visit

15. Communities of Practice (CoP) Tropical Legume I, Phase 2 • Focused around Molecular Breeding • Share advances and technology of TL1 crops with broader community. • Introduction to MAS and outsourced genotyping • Share knowledge and experience - each other & w/mentors • Share MABC projects • Exchange of material for phenotyping (MABC, MARS, MAGIC) • Technical support for MABC

16. Communities of Practice (CoP) Tropical Legume I, Phase 2 • ChickpeaCoP • 4th May 2011, Madrid, Spain • Cowpea & Soybean CoP • 19th May 2011, Ibadan, Nigeria • Study cases for design of CoP webpage and forum • BeanCoP • Existing networks to build from (PABRA, ECABRN, SABRN • Structured breeding programmes to avoid duplication • Exchange of material for phenotyping and adoption

17. IBP platform and CoP • Adoption of IBP and its tools by CoP members is important for viability of the portal • Stakeholders • Driving force • Management of the resources • GSS • Run by the CoPs for members

18. Challenges GSS • Main objective promote and support molecular breeding • A lot of programmes just starting and need: • Germplasm/parental fingerprinting first (costly) • Delays MAS start • Also -populations not developed • Sweetener for CoP membership • Should not be the main reason for membership • Find more potential donors to face high demand

19. Challenges Training • Encourage partners to use the e-learning or Web-based training and not wait for face to face workshop • Reach the right target: • People with the similar level of knowledge prior to workshop • Right person (technician, scientists) • Budget versus location • Visa issue limiting participation • High price of airfare and accommodation

20. Challenges CoPs • Engage people to participate and share information: • Some scientists might see it as a social network and believe they have no time for it • To many other urgent matters • Encourage people to give back to the community: • Advice and skill sharing • Share opportunities • Funding opportunities • Keeping community energised and engaged • Future of the CoP = Future of IBP

21. Social Networking for Molecular Breeding THANK YOU