1. DLB Workshop, 29-30 April 2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Recap of Day 1
Paul Kimani,
University of Nairobi, Kenya
DLB Workshop, April 2019, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

2. Contents
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4

3. Session 1
Focus of the session was introduction and scene setting for the DLB Core team meet
Welcome by remarks by:
Prof Firew Mekbib to Ethiopia
Prof Gabrielle Parsely- noted that the proposal had to reformulated to meet new proposal format in Australia
As result commencement date is 1 April for three years
End of Project: 31 March 2022
That Syngenta Foundation has agreed in principle to support Phase 2
Final approvals pending
Noted there were new team members: Prof Kaye Baseford of the Univ of Queensland, and Dr Nathan King – the project administrator
Formal introductions by one member in each table

4. Sessions 1 –cont’d
Nasser, the project coordinator outlined the project objectives, outputs, outcomes and indicators
Three objectives:
Best practices from public and private sectors in plant variety design
Education and training
Policy analysis and advocacy
Key activities for each objective listed
Cross cutting activities, methods, outputs and communication discussed
He also outlined the deliverables expected
Key among these is publication of DLB Textbook by Dec 2019; (only one draft received so far); annual reports.

5. Session 2
Session 2 started with a recap of the Objectives, Outputs and timelines of Phase 2
There was a discussion on what is new in this Phase. It was noted that, while market led breeding has been practised for many years, 80% of the DLB content are new ideas and principles
These ideas have been integrated into a coherent, practical breeding program.
Viv compared key features of public breeding compared to private sector and demand driven breeding
She noted that key features of public breeding included population and line development, field tests, selection, characterisation, national performance trials and meeting regulatory requirements.

6. Session 2 (continued)
In contrast, business driven breeding has several additional features including:
meeting specified performance standards [critical for their reputation and which if broken can to lead to liabilities],
extensive characterisation,
product positioning,
pricing, positioning,
communication,
variety promotion and seed availability before launching new varieties
Andy explained that positioning a new variety involves providing information on:
What is it? [i.e. what are its features]
What it does? [ i.e the benefits]
Who is it for ? [Target market]
Why should farmers buy it rather than the alternative?

7. Product profiles There was considerable discussion on product profiles
Noted that understanding crop uses and value characteristics were essential in evaluating variety performance and creating technical data sheets, which are used to make product profiles
This information useful in targeting customer segment and product profile design.
Noted that top quality data sheet is characterized by :
Clear positioning statement
Comparative data
Photos
Is attractive
Breeder’s name

8. Crop Expert groups
The participants discussed elements of the proposed Crop Expert groups
Noted that there is need to develop TORs
May include researchers with experience with the crop; be multidisciplinary (breeders, crop protection , nutrition, socio-economics specialists); the industry, communications specialists, among others.
Noted that it may be essential to outsource certain expert information if not available within DLB
Size: max of 6 persons
Requested: Participants to register their interest with the Project Coordinator
Crops: Beans, sorghum, tomato
New Modules: 3 new modules will be developed

9. Policy and advocacy Discussion was led by JC
Noted that target countries were:
Ethiopia (beans)
Uganda (beans)
Ghana (tomatoes)
Southern Africa ?
Noted that policy formulation is a process and there was need to understand the process and key actors in each target country
Need to identify and provide information to persuade the policy makers on why a particular crop should be supported
There is need to have a clear strategy on how this will be done

10. Other key points
There will be an annual coordination meeting- 29 April was the first one.
Target crops
Beans
Tomatoes
Others: Sorghum, cassava and maize
Key countries: Uganda, Ghana and Ethiopia
Key implementers: BECA, ACCI, CIAT, WACII and UON
Emphasized need to develop product profiles and technical data sheets for each product
Project website- still being discussed
African seed catalogue planned
Capacity building should focus individual and institutional levels

11. Session 3
This session focused on updates on activities conducted at various DLB nodes and proposed next steps.
ACCI reported on the DLB seminar presented by Prof Shimelis to ICRISAT scientists at Hyderabad, India. He noted that there was interest to learn more about DLB.
George of EiB and Prof Shimelis donated DLB books to ICRISAT scientists and the library
Noted that zero draft for breeders training has been submitted
Prof Shimelis reported that he has been requested to write chapter on breeding for new book. It will focus on DLB

12. EiB George Koch presented on EiB through video
He explained that EIB was keen to collaborate with DLB and Africa was target area at present
This was followed by intense discussion on which areas for collaboration
Noted that there were similarities and differences between the two. Areas of focus should be identified, terms clarified to avoid confusion
Suggested possible areas for collaboration in developing Modules 2, 3,4 and 5- especially for training future breeders in African universities
Solomon presented the product profile tool

13. Node Updates
Updates were presented by participants from PABRA-CIAT, Makerere University and the University of Nairobi
Prof Chiteka reported on training activities at Makerere
Noted that PABRA will contribute 4 chapters in the DLB Book2
Clare/Viv reported on gender in DLB meet at Cornell and development of a module of in partnership with GREAT project.
University of Zambia and University of Lilongwe had expressed interest in DLB training
Prof Mekbib and Dr Berhanu reported on DLB activities in Ethiopia. They noted that there will be a training program for breeders and on the recently developed variety catalogue
Paul Kimani presented updated on DLB activities at UON. He noted DLB has been intergrated in Advanced Plant Breeding Course for MSc in Plant Breeding and Biotech students
Joint training of breeders with BECA
Graduate students are encouraged to include DLB principles and practices in their thesis research
LTD, a start-up seed company for UON, and links with policy makers

14. Node Updates
Five new projects with elements of DLB started: Tomato , rice, soybean, marker assisted gamete selection for Andean and Mesoamerican bean populations
He also reported on progress with Food and Seed Industry and activities of UNISEED

15. Session 4
Project Coordinator reported on survey sent to 600 respondents
Noted that 94 responded
61 finally analyzed
Sought ideas on how to make the survey more effective
Noted that Dr Walter assisted in contacting respondents in West Africa, where the best response was registered.