The European Union has committed Sh113.6 million to support a global project on plant breeding and biotechnology aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change.
This initiative, spanning three years, will involve a consortium of 11 higher education institutions worldwide.
Egerton University in Kenya has been designated as the lead coordinator for the project, named the ‘Building Capacity in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Education and Research through Partnership Programme in Africa, Middle East, and Europe for Agricultural Transformation’ (BREEDTECH).
The consortium includes institutions from Ethiopia, Palestine, Italy, Serbia, Sweden, and Austria.
According to Egerton University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kibwage, the project will focus on creating and implementing a unified curriculum in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology across the member countries.
It aims to enhance the skills and competencies of 12 students and 24 academic staff in teaching and research at universities in Africa and Palestine.
Prof. Kibwage highlighted that the 2024-2027 project will improve agricultural technologies for greater productivity, sustainability, and environmental safety.
This will be achieved by developing, equipping, and modernizing research facilities and infrastructure related to Plant Breeding and Biotechnology across the 11 institutions.
“Biotechnology development is a top priority for enhancing food security, creating more efficient and cleaner industrial processes, and reducing environmental impacts in the country,” Prof. Kibwage emphasized.
“Evidence shows biotechnology has aided so far in increasing food production as scientists aim to make it beneficial to the environment.”
Dr. Miriam Charimbu, a crop production and protection specialist, and Prof. Paul Kimurto, a Crop Physiologist, both from Egerton University, have been named as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator respectively.
Egerton University has received Sh13,638,528 to manage the project coordination.
Partner institutions include Laikipia University (Kenya), Haramaya University (Ethiopia), Oda Bultum University (Ethiopia), Al-Quds Open University (Palestine), and An-Najah National University (Palestine).
Additionally, the consortium involves Pixel – Associazione Culturale (Italy), the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (Serbia), Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Italy), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden), and BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria).
Prof. Kibwage noted that the initiative will facilitate knowledge transfer for 150 students from partner universities, upgrade eight centers and laboratories, and develop or review 20 curriculums.
The project also includes developing six research projects in plant breeding and biotechnology, establishing three BREEDTECH incubators, and creating a BREEDTECH Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for African and Palestinian universities, supported by selected European institutions.
To ensure a wide-reaching impact, Prof. Kibwage stated that plant breeding and biotechnology incubators would foster innovation and product development, supporting startups and entrepreneurship to turn ideas into successful ventures.
Dr. Charimbu mentioned that the project will include training for graduate and post-graduate students and staff in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology.
Additionally, it will mentor emerging higher education institutions to develop and review their Plant Breeding and Biotechnology programs across the consortium countries.
She also emphasized the importance of promoting public-private partnerships in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology within the consortium countries.
Dr. Charimbu reiterated that climate change, severe drought, new pests like the fall armyworm and maize stalk borer, and diseases such as Maize Lethal Necrosis, pose significant threats to food, feed, and nutritional security, necessitating innovative solutions such as biotechnology.
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