Illustration @ Coumaré

Innovation and plant breeding in West Africa - IAVAO

Implementing innovative plant breeding programmes to address the complexity of afro-ecological systems in West Africa.

In order to tackle different challenges, plant breeding today needs to take into consideration their complex nature. As a major factor in numerous different social and cultural organizations, it must help to feed a rapidly growing population, especially in West Africa. It should be adapted to diverse and changing environments without damaging them, while providing ecosystem services. The key focal area of the IAVAO dP thus centres on integrating an interdisciplinary approach into the design and effective implementation of plant breeding programmes that are both flexible and innovative, and address the complexity of the agro-ecological systems found in sub-Saharan areas.

Partnership

Burkina Faso

  • Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA)

France

  • French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)
  • Montpellier SupAgro

Mali

  • Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER)

Niger

  • Institut National de la recherche agronomique du Niger (INRAN)

Senegal

  • Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA)
  • Centre d’études régional pour l’amélioration de l’adaptation à la sécheresse (CERAAS)
  • University of Thiès

West Africa

  • West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD)