Plant breeders across Africa are sharpening their skills in the use of new technologies and current approaches, thanks to training provided by the African Plant Breeding Academy.

Seed Quest reports that the academy has just held a second training session for its first class of 32 students from 11 different African nations. The academy is an initiative of the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC), organized by the University of California, Davis (USA) and based at the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.

The AOCC aims to sequence 100 orphan crop genomes and develop higher-yielding, more nutritious varieties for African farmers and consumers based on this key DNA-based information. Orphan crops are those that have to date been neglected by researchers despite being an important part of the diets of local people. In Africa, they include plants such as baobab, amaranth, breadfruit and the spider plant. It is hoped that genetic gains and efficiencies will lead to increased food security and promote innovative research on African orphan crops.

During its training sessions, the academy presents students with principles and tools which are then demonstrated through actual breeding programs. Students have the opportunity to ask practical questions of plant breeders about breeding targets and the means to achieve these.

This first class of trainees will graduate in December 2014.

Read the full story: The UC Davis African Plant Breeding Academy successfully completes session 2

See also: ICRAF and partners launch first African Plant Breeding Academy