The Role of the private sector in strengthening MLN diagnostics capacity in Africa, presented at the International Conference on “MLN Diagnostics and Management in Africa,” organized by AGRA (Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa) and CIMMYT, 12-14 May, 2015

1. The Role of private
sector in Strengthening
MLN diagnostics
capacity in Africa
12TH MAY,2015

2. Partnerships enable sustainable outcomes
that no single party could achieve alone.
A Public Private Partnership’s output is more
than the sum of its parts.
PARTNERSHIPS

3. Why bring in the Private sector?
Markets on the rise
The public sector in retrenchment due to
the down-sizing
Question:
Can the private sector reach small farmers?

4. What can the private sector offer?
Training
Consultative and advisory services to the farmers
Funding to the farmers
Capacity building of the other labs in the region
KEY ROLE
Capacity building, efficiency, effectiveness in
diagnostics.

5. OUR MISSION
To be the leading independent
agricultural laboratory & agronomy
service in Africa, providing our clients
with expert advice on soil, fertilizer,
water and pest & disease
management.

6. WHO ARE WE?
 Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services Ltd
(CROPNUTS)
 Private Company est. 1998
 ISO 17025 Accredited
 100% Independent
 Fertilizer Recommendations
 Agronomy & Training Services
 Aquacheck soil moisture sensors
 Plant disease diagnostics
 Precision Farming Services
 Soil Mapping for Fertilizer Blending
 Inputs4ag - Online Farm Inputs Directory

7. First company worldwide to produce and commercialize
ELISA reagents for plant virus diagnostics in 1980.
It is an independent company that was started in close
collaboration with Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil,
Research Station ACW Nyon, Switzerland.
Currently; BIOREBA has established cooperation with
numerous research institutions and universities in many
countries.

8. Certifications
 Awarded the internationally recognized certificate
of Quality Management System ISO 9001.
Accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 for analyses
of plant pathogens.
Both certificates shall give us the incentive to
continue serving you with best quality products and
helping you growing healthy crops.

9. SERVICES
Agristrips
Elisa Kit
Equipment and disposables

10. Partnered with Syngenta Foundation
Non-profit organization, established 1979
Can access Syngenta expertise, but independent with own
Board
Global focus on “pre-commercial farmers”
Over 100 staff, 90% in developing countries
Currently funding Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)
hub at IRLI
Mission
“To reach millions of smallholder farmers through scalable,
sustainable solutions that raise productivity, activate supply
chains and increase incomes”

11. Disease diagnostics
Accurate identification and early detection of
the viruses causing the MLN is the
cornerstones of the management of the
disease.
Laboratory analysis success depends on the
sampling process adopted and its efficiency.

12. General detection methods
Use of symptoms
Indicator plants
In vitro properties of the virus (TIP,DEP & LIV)
 Electron microscopy
Serological methods (AGRISTRIP, ELISA)
Molecular (nucleic acid)based methods. (PCR)

13. Common diagnostic Methods available
=> A DNA based
technology that
permits a small
sample of target
nucleic acid to be
copied multiple
times for analysis
=>Is sensitive,
reliable, fast, and
highly versatile
=>The
disadvantage of
PCR is that it
requires
sophisticated
equipment like
thermocycler
which is
expensive.
PCR Technique
Serological
method.
This technique is
based on the
recognition of
antigens with
antibodies
produced to
them.
ELISA allows for
qualitative and
quantitative
analysis, high
throughput, and
high sensitivity.
Enzyme-linked
immunosorbent
assay (ELISA)
=>Based on
immunochromato
graphy using
specific
antibodies.
=>The assay
requires a
minimum of
preparation and
reaches results
within a few
minutes.
Lateral Flow Assay

14. Which method do I choose?
This largely depends on
Human resource
Technology
Infrastructure

15. What is Bioreba developing?
Bioreba have Elisa reagents available for
the MDMV and the SCMV.
Elisa for MCMV, which is the major player
in the occurrence of the MLN, has been
developed and is currently under
validation.

16. (1) Plate is coated with a capture antibody;
(2) Sample is added, and any antigen present
binds to capture antibody;
(3) Conjugate: enzyme-linked secondary
antibody is added, and binds to detecting
antibody
4. Substrate: Color reaction indicates infected
sample-Incubate at room temperature (20-25°C)
in the dark.
DAS-Elisa Procedure

17. WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
Development of AGRI STRIP to test virus
in seeds
Development of micro-chip to pick up
multiple pathogens especially the ones
causing MLN, eg MCMV, SCMV, MDMV

18. For more information
Visit
www.cropnuts.com
www.bioreba.com
http://www.syngentafoundation.org