In a significant step towards combating climate change, the European Union has allocated Sh113.6 million to a global initiative focused on plant breeding and biotechnology. The three-year project, titled ‘Building Capacity in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Education and Research through Partnership Programme in Africa, Middle East, and Europe for Agricultural Transformation’ (BREEDTECH), will be led by a consortium of 11 institutions, with Kenya's Egerton University serving as the lead coordinator.

Dr. Miriam Charimbu and Prof. Paul Kimurto from Egerton University have been appointed as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, respectively.

Egerton University's Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kibwage, emphasized that the project, running from 2024 to 2027, aims to develop and implement a harmonized curriculum in plant breeding and biotechnology across the participating countries. The initiative will enhance the skills and competencies of 12 students and 24 academic staff in teaching and research activities at African and Palestinian universities.

"The goals of the project include the modernization of research facilities and infrastructure, the development of innovative agricultural technologies for improved productivity, sustainability, and environmental safety, and the promotion of biotechnology to enhance food security and reduce environmental impacts," said Prof. Kibwage. "Biotechnology development remains a top priority in enhancing food security, evolving more efficient and cleaner industrial manufacturing processes, and reducing negative effects on the environment."

Partner institutions include Laikipia University (Kenya), Haramaya University and Oda Bultum University (Ethiopia), Al-Quds Open University and An-Najah National University (Palestine), Pixel – Associazione Culturale (Italy), the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (Serbia), Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (Italy), the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden), and BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Austria).

The initiative will engage 150 students from partner universities in knowledge transfer, upgrade eight centres and laboratories, and develop and review 20 curriculums. Additionally, six research projects in plant breeding and biotechnology will be developed, three BREEDTECH incubators established, and a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) created to support the academic and entrepreneurial efforts in African and Palestinian universities.

Dr. Charimbu highlighted the project's broad impact, including mentoring young institutions and fostering public-private sector partnerships to promote innovation and product development in plant breeding and biotechnology. Addressing challenges such as climate change, severe droughts, new pests, and diseases, the project aims to provide innovative solutions to enhance food, feed, and nutritional security.

By fostering global collaboration and leveraging biotechnology, the BREEDTECH initiative aims to create sustainable agricultural practices and improve food security across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

 

Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku

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https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/eu-injects-sh113-6-million-towards-climate-change-mitigation/