The Collaborative Breeding Leadership Program (CBLP) has celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of fellows at the 4th African Plant Breeders Association conference in Zimbabwe.
In his speech, Hon. Vangelis Haritatos, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, noted that “Technical skills alone are not enough, and that there is a need to mentor and build a new generation of plant breeding science leaders who can drive collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence across plant breeding networks in Africa is a welcome development.”
He added that the 18-month pilot programme was organised to enhance genetic gains for global food and nutrition security, improve institutional effectiveness, and partnerships.
Having concluded the pilot phase, the CBLP is scaling up into a full-fledged three-year programme for CGIAR, NARES, and early- and mid-year scientists and breeders.
