3rd African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) Conference

Date
23.10.23 > 27.10.23
Time
12:00 am > 12:00 am UTC-11:00
Registration
https://apbaconf2023.um6p.ma/register

Leveraging Genetic Innovation for Resilient African Food Systems in the wake of Global Shocks

WHERE: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) | Benguerir, Morocco
WHEN: October 23rd – 26th, 2023
ABSTRACT DEADLINE: Closed (September 15, 2023)

OVERVIEW:

The African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) Conference was initiated in 2019 to disseminate the latest knowledge and achievements in the field of agriculture, to enhance research and development (R&D) for sustainable agriculture production systems in Africa. APBA conference brings together around 400 international scientists and experts representing different national and international institutions (CGIAR research centers), universities, research institutions, private companies, donors, etc.).

It is a good opportunity for plant breeders, researchers, students, private companies as well as national agriculture policy makers to share their knowledge and discuss their research findings and recent achievements. Such interactions will help in preparing strategies and partnerships to tackle future challenges in R&D for the African continent and open opportunities for potential collaborative actions. Two previous APBA conferences have been successfully organized in Accra, Ghana (2019) and Kigali, Rwanda (2021). Both events significantly contributed to the promotion of international collaborations in basic, fundamental, applied and strategic research areas particularly in the field of crop improvement.

ABOUT APBA:

The African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) is an initiative of full-fledged scientists, students, and professionals in Africa from higher education institutions (HEIs), research organizations and private companies who felt the need to change the narrative of crop improvement and the seed sector in Africa. It is a forum dedicated to building capacities, problem-solving, resource mobilization, and long-term strategic development of the agricultural sector in Africa through effective plant breeding programs and provision of tangible solutions to governments, seed companies, nongovernmental organizations and farmers.

GET INVOLVED:

Registration: https://apbaconf2023.um6p.ma/register

CGIAR will have a strong showing at the event. CGIAR encouraged its scientists and its NARES partners to submit abstracts and posters to bring our innovations and achievements to these important audiences. Abstract submissions have closed. Themes for submission included: Advances in Genetic Innovation and Technology, Agri-food systems research towards Food sovereignty and Nutrition security,Dealing with Global Shocks from a Crop Improvement Perspective, Capacity Building and Education in Crop Improvement, Advances in Forgotten and Underutilized Crop Research, Seed Systems and Germplasm conservation, Precision Phenotyping for Crop Improvement

CGIAR PARTICIPATION:

(TBC as of Sept. 26 – Schedules and details are likely to change. Check APBA website for final details)

Main CGIAR sessions:

Parallel session I (Room 1): Tue, Oct 24. 10:45-12:15

CGIAR Genetic Innovation Science Group information session

Chairs: Dr. John Derera, Senior Director, Plant Breeding and Pre-Breeding
Introduction to CGIAR’s Genetic Innovation Science Group and the Breeding Resources Initiative, Dr. Sonja Vermeulen, Science Managing Director of Genetic Innovation, CGIAR
Accelerating Breeding at CGIAR, Dr. Michael Quinn, Director, Breeding Modernization and Innovation. Lead, Accelerated Breeding Initiative, CGIAR and Dorcus Gemenet, Breeding program optimization and continuous improvement specialist, CGIAR
Getting CGIAR seed varieties to farmers – the Seed Equal Initiative, Dr Chris Ojiewo, Seed Equal Initiative Co lead, CGIAR
Delivering seed that meets end users’ needs – Market Intelligence Initiative, Dr. Julius Okello, Impact Assessment Specialist, Market Intelligence Initiative, CGIAR
Using our genetic material in perpetuity – Genebanks Initiative, Dr. Marie Noelle Ndjiondjop, Head of Genetic Resources Unit, Genebank Initiative, CGIAR

Full day meeting: Thurs, Oct 26. 09:00-18:00 NARES–CGIAR Genetic Innovation: Strengthening Engagement 2023

Follow up to 2022 event. Implementing the spirit of the Aide Memoire
Led by Dr. Bish Das, NARES coordinator, Accelerated Breeding Initiative, CGIAR
Participants (invitation only): NARES officials, Genetic Innovation leads, CGIAR Center breeding leads, regional organizations

Other CGIAR participation:

High- Level Panel Discussion: Oct 23, 11:45-13:00

Leveraging Genetic Innovation for Resilient African Food Systems in the Wake of Global Shocks

Panelist: Dr. Sonja Vermeulen, Managing Director of Genetic Innovation, CGIAR
Moderator: Dr. Clare Mukankusi, CIAT-CGIAR

Plenary Talk: Oct 23, 15:20-15:40

Accelerated Breeding Modernization: Transforming NARES for Driving Sub-Saharan Africa’s Food Security.

Dr. Sanjay K. Katiyar, Breeding Modernization Lead, Rice Breeding & Innovation Platform, CGIAR-IRRI

Keynote: Tue, Oct 24. 14:05-14:25

Driving Greater Impact Through Greater Focus, Excellence In Science and Through Stronger Partnerships

Dr. Michael Quinn, Director, Breeding Modernization and Innovation. Lead, Accelerated Breeding Initiative, CGIAR

Plenary Talk: Oct 23, 14:25-14:40

Can genomic prediction accuracy be increased in modern plant breeding?

Dr. Jose Crossa, Genetic Resources Programme, CIMMYT

Plenary Session: Tue, Oct 24. 14:30-15:00

Re-designing crop varieties to win the race between climate change and food security

Led by Dr. Kevin Pixley, DDG, Research, CIMMYT
Featuring Spotlight talks from African experts from NARO, CSIR, CIMMYT, e.g. on anticipated changes and desirable or essential traits for key crops to succeed in future environments

High-Level Panel: Tues, Oct 24: 15:45-16:45

Re-Designing Crop Varieties to Win the Race Between Climate Change and Food Security

Moderator: Dr. Chris Ojiewo, Lead, CGIAR Seed Equal Initiative
Panelists: NARES and other CGIAR partners

Panel: Wed, Oct 25. 09:45-10:25

High-Level Panel: Leveraging opportunities for the training of modern plant breeders in Africa for Africa

Featuring Dr. John Derera, Senior Director, Plant Breeding and Pre Breeding, CGIAR. Along with several key CGIAR NARES partners

Keynote Address VI: 10:45-11:25

Advances in Forgotten and Underutilized Crop Research & Research in Millets Crops

Session Chair: Miguel Sanshez Garcia (ICARDA)
Speaker: Dr. Damaris A. Odeny, Genomics Scientist International Crops research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Parallel Session III: 11:25-12:45

Room 5: Seed Systems and germplasm conservation

Chair: Dr. Ahmed Amri (ICARDA)

Additional sessions: Sessions accepted from CGIAR abstract submissions. Details and more sessions to be added:

Inclusive approach to early generation seed production and delivery systems: experiences from sub-Saharan Africa: Dr. Christopher Ochieng Ojiewo (CIMMYT), Lead, CGIAR Seed Equal Initiative
The Enterprise Breeding System: Empowering Genetic Innovation: Dr. Simon Imoro (IITA), Enterprise Breeding System
Costing of Breeding Program: CGIAR-NARES-Breeding Crop Network: Dr. Lennin Musundire (CIMMYT), CGIAR Accelerated Breeding Initiative
CGIAR genebanks: More data, better information: Dr. Zakaria Kehel, CGIAR Genebank initiative / ICARDA, Morocco