The National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), renowned for its rich legacy and dedicated mandate to improve root and tuber crops, plays a crucial role in the evolution of breeding practices. Their development of improved varieties is essential to satisfying market demands and addressing the needs of all stakeholders. As the demand for cassava, yam, potato, and sweet potato varieties evolves, breeding approaches must also adapt.
A significant shift involves understanding and documenting the interests and preferences of various stakeholders for each commodity and incorporating these insights into breeding programs. This demand-led approach contrasts with the traditional method, where breeders solely determine desirable traits. By consulting stakeholders across the value chain—farmers, seed producers, transporters, processors, marketers, and consumers—at the initial stages, the breeding process aims to define and develop varieties that align with market needs and stakeholder expectations.
To strengthen CGIAR-NARES networks for crop improvement, IITA and NRCRI convened a week-long event from 29 April to 3 May 2024 at the NRCRI headquarters in Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. This gathering was spearheaded by ABI Transform focal person for West and Central Africa Vishnuvardhan Reddy Banda, CGIAR Cassava Coordinator for West Africa Ismail Rabbi, IITA Yam Breeder Paterne Agre, Yam SAH Specialist Olugboyega Palemo, and IITA Data specialist Ukoabasi Ekanem. The event received significant support from Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, the Executive Director and CEO of NRCRI, and crop teams from NRCRI.
Each crop underwent a series of essential activities to enhance breeding programs and align them with market demands. Stakeholders collaborated to outline distinct market segments for the crop and develop Target Product Profiles (TPP) for each identified segment, serving as blueprints for breeding objectives. Using the Accelerated Breeding Initiative (ABI) template, breeding programs were rigorously assessed to evaluate their efficacy and alignment with market needs, and improvement plans were crafted to enhance breeding strategies.
Additionally, station assessments were conducted to evaluate existing infrastructure supporting research endeavors. Notably, the cassava, potato, and sweet potato processes were completed during the week-long event, while yam underwent similar procedures in 2023. These systematic approaches ensure that breeding efforts are targeted, efficient, and responsive to evolving market dynamics, ultimately contributing to the advancement of crop improvement initiatives.
Following this comprehensive process, each crop was assigned an improvement plan, which allowed teams to identify scalable breeding activities to enhance the breeding programs for cassava, yam, potato, and sweet potato. They then developed sub-grants aimed at scaling these operations. Through detailed discussions, teams formulated proposals outlining the current state of breeding programs, the necessary enhancements, and the associated costs. These proposals are strategic guides to scale breeding operations and meet the identified improvement goals.
Expressing delight, Egesi stated that some East African countries, like Uganda, with their cassava and sweet potato breeding teams, have gone through this process, and it is good that Nigeria is not left behind. “The good thing is that in the end, we will be able to submit a proposal we can call a bankable proposal to the CGIAR to fund and support the breeding of crops like sweet potato and potato and to expand the work being done in yam and cassava, ensuring that root and tuber crops in Nigeria are improved to meet the food security program of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Banda emphasized how the workshop would pave the way for opportunities in capacity building and the application for sub-grants within One-CGIAR funded projects. “This meeting marks the beginning of a series of similar engagements that the IITA and International Potato Center (CIP) RTB breeding program will conduct across research institutions in West and Central Africa. The goal is to understand and address the needs of various stakeholders for high-impact RTB improvements and to transform agriculture in Africa,” he concluded.
Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola
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