About 300 global leading cassava
researchers and stakeholders would attend Global Cassava Partnership for the
21st Century (GCP21) scheduled to hold between June 18 and 22, 2012.
The international cassava
conference to be held in Uganda would focus on improving cassava productivity
through scientific research and development.
The organisers in a press release
made available to NaijaAgroNet stated that GCP21 consists of 45 member institutions working on
research and development of cassava.
The Cassava Global Partnership, NaijaAgroNet learnt advocates for cassava
issues while leveraging research and development by facilitating dialogue among
farmers and stakeholders through scientific and technical meetings.
The partnership also seeks smart
strategies, funding opportunities and catalyzing solutions to technical
challenges like cassava genomics.
The chairman of GCP21-II, and scientist
at NaCRRI, Dr. Yona Baguma said the greatest reward of his life time would be
to bring about a significant transformation in cassava to impact on peoples'
lives especially those who depend on the crop.
GCP21, in 2011 had initiated
several research projects totaling over $60 million, about N9.6 billion in
grants in the areas of cassava genomics, genetic engineering, biofortification,
genetics and biology.
The report of the research
projects would be presented at GCP21-II.
Participants will exchange
knowledge and experiences in the areas of socio-economics, biodiversity and
genetic resources, post-harvest, starch modification, nutrition, genomics,
molecular genetic markers and gene discovery, tissue culture and
transformation, biotic and abiotic stresses, participatory research and technology
transfer.
Yinka Awosanya/LS
... Linking agrobiz, people & technology