Private sector plant breeding programs have structured research and development pipelines that involve multiple phases from discovery to product launch. They utilize marker-assisted selection, biotechnology, agronomy, and informatics across their breeding, quality assurance, trait analysis, and intellectual property protection efforts. Large investments are made in personnel and facilities, with resources allocated across disciplines and streamlined without duplication. Partnerships supplement internal work.

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Breeding Programs in the
Private Sector
Ousmane Boukar and Ismail Y. Rabbi

2. A member of CGIAR consortium www.iita.org
Program Structure

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• Type and scope of activities depend on:
– Crop
– Size of company
– Resources available
– Division of activities among different operating
units

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R&D Pipeline
• Discovery
• Phase 1 – Proof of concept
• Phase 2 – Early development phase
• Phase 3 – Advanced development phase
• Phase 4 – Pre-launch
• Launch

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• Four areas of the variety development
pipeline
– Breeding (including molecular breeding)
– Biotechnology
– Agronomy
– Analytical Technologies
– Informatics (Genetics, Biometrics,
Bioinformatics, Programmers...)

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Uses of markers in breeding pipelines
• Quality Assurance:
– Parentage analysis
– Genetic purity tests
• Germplasm analysis through DNA fingerprinting
– Arrangement of diversity (clustering, PCA, etc.)
– Protection of intellectual property (IITA == impact assessment
through adoption studies).
• Trait Analysis
– Association of traits with genomic regions (GWAS or QTL)
– Understanding of relationship among traits (linkage vs.
pleiotropy?)
– Understanding the causes of variation (aid in gene cloning)
• Breeding
– Assist in indirect selection of qualitative and quantitative traits
– Marker Assisted Backcrossing
• Seed chipping (non-destructive genotyping)

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• Right research approach and organization
• Solving problem with better solutions
(always try to improve in throughput,
efficiency and targetting)
• Building on strengths

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Enabling environment
• Fostering excellence (Pioneer)
– Stimulating environment for R&D scientists
– Offering scientific opportunities: training and
development programs
• Breeding academy (breeding and germplasm
management) focuses on developing the critical
skills necessary for modern breeding
• 3PM Academy: Excellence in project, Program and
Portofolio management
• Syngenta fellows programs

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Priority Setting

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• Research priority depends on growers and
consumers (Market)
• The direction of new research is guided by
our crop teams and based on customer
need, technology, regulatory requirements
and socio-political trends (Syngenta)
• Targets:
– Biotic stresses (weeds, insects, fungal
diseases, nematodes),
– Abiotic stresses (environmental pressures
such as drought or cold)
– Improved crop yield and quality.

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Data Management/Decision
Support

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• Big focus of R&D is the management of all the
data being produced in research and development
using computational biology
– Phenotype (field and lab)
– Genotype
– Environment
– Soil
• Scientists produce, process, analyze, interpret,
and report more 2.5 million data-points each day
(Syngenta)
• All have centralized database
(phenotype/genotype/more)
• Informatics support group (mentioned before)

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Partnerships

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• Universities
• Research institutes
• Private companies
– Collaborate with competitors (other breeding
companies)
• Germplasm conservation centers
– To acquire germplasm

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Resource Allocation

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• Huge R&D investment
• (Thousand of) scientists in multi-
disciplines
• Streamlined product development pipeline
without duplication of efforts.
– Example: One quantitative
genetics/biometrics serve all crops and trait
development programs
– Centralized Analytical Technology Lab

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Example Monsanto

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Example Pioneer
• In the past five years, DuPont Pioneer
R&D has doubled investment, increased
greenhouse space by more than 60% and
increased research square footage by
more than 30%. DuPont Pioneer R&D is
now comprised of more than 4,400
researchers operating in 125+ research
sites in 25 countries on six continents

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Links with Allied Disciplines

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• Functional areas:
– Agronomy
– Pathology
– Entomology
– Cell biology and tissue culture
– Applied genomics
– Plant transformation
– Quality analyses
– Regulatory affairs and intellectual property
issues
– Data base management, data analyses

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• Collaboration across R&D
– Open innovation platform
– Formal R&D network
– Though seeders (external collaboration) -
Pioneer

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Product Orientation, Delivery, and
Stewardship

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• Delivery options based on convenience and
efficiency
• Global distribution network with flexibility to
meet local needs
• Several sales professionals
• Wealth of information on product
• Numerous services to customers (expertise,
solutions, financing…)
• Link key players across the agricultural value
chain

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Product stewardship
• Clear responsibility from initial research to
discontinuation of a product
• Management of the life cycle of
technologies for maximum product value,
benefits, and longevity
• Pioneer:
– Grain marketing and approval
– Patents covered by technology agreement
– Product use guide

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• Material safety data sheets
• Non-GMO validation certificates
• Insect resistance/weed management
• Best management practices for a
particular technology
• Seed treatment stewardship