Grant no. 623-0435-G-SS-7005-00 : International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) support of the east and southern Africa root crop research network (ESARRN)

IITA will encourage regional cooperation in research, initiate sharing of information and germplasm, and coordinate short-term and M.Sc. training. Improved crop varieties especially adapted to the region will be developed and disseminated. IITA will designate a root crop breeder/agronomist as regional coordinator for this subproject. The coordinator"s two major responsibilities will be to provide direct support to national root crop research programs (up to 40% of his/her time will be allocated for this purpose) and to promote regional networking by, e.g., organizing meetings and workshops, developing materials and information for dissemination. Whenever possible, top-level national research personnel will be involved in planning specific networking activities. Anticipated subproject outputs include the following: (1) short- and medium-term training of 180 technicians, and M.Sc. training of up to six researchers; (2) exchange of improved germplasm (in seed form) among national programs, for both sweet potato and cassava; (3) continued development of improved varieties adapted to local conditions; (4) preliminary work on the management of health planting materials and on improved techniques for root crop processing; and (5) better information on the potential for biological control of cassava mealybugs. The International Development Research Centre is also contributing to the project.