1. The ESA Groundnut Breeding Program has strong capacity in terms of infrastructure, human resources, and support systems to deliver genetic gains. 2. Key findings show the program has excellent research facilities, an experienced breeding team, and strong partnerships with NARS in delivering new varieties. 3. Some areas for improvement include limited control over land, small breeding and trialing processes, lack of use of molecular markers, and needs for increased mechanization and drying capacity.

1. ESA Groundnut Breeding
Program Assessment
Accelerating CGIAR & national system breeding program outcomes
TL III Genetic Gains Workshop:
Team ICRISAT ESA

2. Acknowledgments
• Host and regional governments
• Development Partners
• BMGF,USAID, Irish Aid, IFAD, UKAID, GTZ, WB,
• Civil society and Farmer organizations
• International research agencies
• ICRISAT especially TLIII community
• Advanced research centers
• CGIAR

3. Africa has had an impressive decade of growth
• Economy: Mean 5% GDP
growth over 10 years.
• Poverty: >8 million people
moved out of poverty since
2005.
• Food security: Hunger and
malnutrition levels have
dropped by 25%
Source: Brookings Institution and Africa
progress Panel, 2014.
SSA

4. 1. Expanded capacity (genetic, intellectual and infrastructure) to
meet and deliver on current and emerging agri-food systems
challenges and opportunities
2. Improved selection efficiency and genetic gains, unlocked
opportunity for crop diversification and resilience of agri-food
systems
3. Inclusive high performing seed and knowledge delivery
systems improve smallholder access to new varieties and
knowledge unlocking productivity and production potential
New technologies to unlock productivity: CRP
FP4 outcomes GLDC CRP
GRD tolerant vs
susceptible material

5. Conceptual framework for improving genetic
gains at farm levels
Adaptability
Access
Demand
Attributes
• New varieties
• Agronomy
• Labour use efficiency
• Input use efficiency
• Delivery systems
• Access and relevance
• Pricing systems
• Post harvest issues
• Market opportunities
• Value added
• Local demand ramped up

6. BPAT components that unravel capability of programmes

7. Key findings
1. Breeding support systems
• Research infrastructure: Three
excellent cold storage rooms, work
areas, greenhouses,
• Human resource:
• Strong, experienced, well-educated
support team for breeding
• Very strong support team:
• Agronomists,
• Pathologist,
• Economist,
• Technology Transfer and Diffusion,
• Food safety and Nutritionist.

8. Key findings
1. Breeding support systems
• Technology delivery:
• Extensive Production of Foundation Seed at
Chitedtze Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Quality Determined Seed (QDS) deployed in
Malawi and Tanzania.
• Strong NARS Partners
• ARI-Naliendele & NARO (TLIII)
• DARS
• IIAM
• ZARI

9. Key findings
• BMS deployed to
refine testing
sites

10. Key findings
2. Pre-breeding research
• Leverage capacity in Nairobi and
India
• Limited capacity to harness
forward breeding
3. Strategic management and
research
• Breeding programme strategy
• Defined mission
• Pipelines
• Targets
• Delivery

11. Key findings
4. Budgets and performance management
• Stable resource base
• Scaling projects
• Breeding programme support
• Strong partnership base
• Performance management
CRP Component
SC1- Demand analysis & priority setting
Status. Recommendation
There is resident capacity is pretty strong Maintain status and build on past efforts
SC.2-Development of Productive varieties & management practices:
Status Recommendation
There is resident capacity albeit at varying levels of competence Train internally targeting scientific officers and technicians
SC.3-Seed and technology delivery
Status Recommendation
There is some resident capacity at scientist level but there is staff to
train
Train internally targeting Scientific officers and technicians
SC.5- Fostering innovation and managing knowledge
Status Recommendation
There is very limited resident capacity Recruit staff (scientific officer and train internally)

12. Areas of improvement
• Limited control over land a key asset:
• Hosted by Government and land and subjected change with limited control.
• Both the breeding program and performance trialing process is too small.
• Currently, Molecular markers are not being used. Need to assign an MSc
scientist to coordinate activities.
• Mechanization is inadequate.
• Drying capacity needs to be doubled to increase the performance trial capacity.
• A new tractor is on order,
• Need soil handling equipment and a plot planter, threshers and cleaning equipment is needed.

13. Thank You