Component 2. To strengthen variety improvement programmes and develop better crop production technologies

Output.1. Human resources and institutional capacities arrangements strengthened in order to develop the necessary expertise to further develop the seed sector

Activities at regional level

Activity.1. Assess human resources capacity to implement priority activities of the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme, and implement strategies for required capacity building

Activity.2. Assess research capability and infrastructure necessary to support implementation of priority activities of the African Seed and Biotechnology Programme, and enhance research capacity and infrastructure, as required

Activity.3. Strengthen relevant institutions/organizations to better meet national requirements, in-line with international norms as applicable

Activity.4. Determine best practices for the release of, in particular, public varieties, to local and private seed entrepreneurs, including developing best approaches for royalty and maintenance arrangements

Output 2.. Strengthened programmes for variety development and crop production technologies

Activities at national and regional and continental levels

Activity.1. Promote release and diffusion of new varieties

Activity 2. Strengthen multiplication and supply of Breeder and Basic Seed institutions and organizations

Activity.3. Conduct training course on best practices in regional initiatives for germplasm conservation, varietal improvement and exchange

Activity 4. Coordinate development of variety improvement strategies at the regional and national levels in collaboration with NARS, the CGIAR centres, private sector and others partners

Activity.5. Promote technology transfer, including proprietary technologies in partnership with technology holders and advanced research institutes

Activity 6. Promote the development and maintenance of information dissemination systems to facilitate technology transfer

Activity.7. Coordinate and support the development of training programme materials on modern technologies, including biotechnologies for variety development.

Output.3. Agro-ecological characterization enhanced through the establishment and strengthening of germplasm exchange networks and crop-based networks

Activities at continental level

Activity.1. Support the establishment and maintenance of crop-based networks to perform germplasm exchange and multi-locational evaluation

Activity.2. Coordinate capacity building for agro-ecological characterization and interpretation

Output.4. Variety improvement programmes to develop new germplasm that can cope with climate change and disaster factors (e.g. drought, submergence, insects and rodents) strengthened

Activities at national level

Activity.1. Collect landraces and related species in arid and flood-prone areas, as well as in other difficult environments

Activity 2. Characterize resistance of germplasm to climatic and biological constraints, particularly those linked to natural disasters

Activity 3. Develop plant ideotypes and associated technologies for climatic changes