January 2023
Global Biotech Potato Partnership
|
|
The Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership is a five-year, multi-institution cooperative agreement with USAID to introduce bio-engineered potato products in farmer-preferred varieties into Africa and Asia. The biotech potato offers broad-spectrum stacked gene resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans), the most devastating potato disease in the world. Focal countries include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, and Nigeria.
|
|
Happy New Year from the Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership
|
|
The Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership technical advisory board (TAB) reviews the quality and pertinence of the science and technologies used in the project and provides strategic guidance on multiple topics, including advocacy, communication, fundraising, risk mitigation, and ethical issues. We are grateful for the expert guidance and support of all our members.
In this newsletter, we introduce TAB member Dennis Halterman. To learn more about our TAB please visit our project website.
|
|
Dennis Halterman - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
|
Dr. Halterman grew up as the child of science and algebra teachers. During the summers, he worked on his extended family’s farms in north-central Illinois, helping to raise 1500+ acres of corn and soybeans. This combination of science, math, and agriculture influenced his decision to major in biology and biochemistry at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa and he went on to complete a Ph.D. at Purdue University studying tomato disease resistance.
Dr. Halterman studied powdery mildew resistance in barley as a USDA/ARS postdoc before accepting his current position in 2004 with the USDA in Madison, Wisconsin. Since then, his research group has worked to identify new sources of disease resistance in wild relatives of potato and understand their role in recognizing pathogens and activating resistance. His work has led to the identification of new sources of resistance to potato late blight disease and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance to late blight, Potato Virus Y (PVY), verticillium, and other diseases.
|
|
KENYA
Researchers in the media, potato field trials,
and prize winning presentation at
roots & tubers conference
|
|
Biotechnology and GMO's are often misunderstood by the public due to the complexity of the science and the spread of misinformation by anti-GMO organizations. In Kenya, Global Biotech Potato Partnership researcher Dr. Eric Magembe is working to educate Kenyans on the benefits of the technology and dispel myths and misconceptions. Dr. Magembe, a molecular biologist with the International Potato Center in Nairobi is regularly featured by media outlets as an expert in the field. In October and November, Dr. Magembe was featured on BBC Radio Citizen Africa Daily, multiple segments on KTN (Kenya Television Network) TV news, and KBC (Kenyan Broadcasting Corporation) Channel 1. The Global Biotech Potato Partnership is fortunate to have such a passionate advocate sharing his expertise.
The Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) is currently conducting three confined field trials of late blight resistant potato. The trials are the first for the Global Biotech Potato Partnership in Kenya. Key research data will be collected from the fields which will be harvested in early February. Results will be shared in our next newsletter.
The International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) held its 19th Triennial Symposium in November in Nairobi. The Global Biotech Potato Partnership participated with several presentations by project personnel. One project presentation, Evaluation of Biotech Potato Resistant to Late Blight in Nigeria, presented by Shuaibu Kayha from the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike (NRCRI) in Nigeria was awarded second prize by the symposium organizers. Congratulations Kayha!
|
|
BANGLADESH
Global Biotech Potato Partnership participates in first Bangladesh youth biotechnology olympiad
|
|
The Global Biotech Potato Partnership participated in the first Biotech Olympiad of Bangladesh in November 2022. Approximately 1,500 high school and university students convened from across the country at the event held at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka.
The event theme, “New Velocity in Lifestyle, Biotech for Prosperity” challenged students from eighth grade to university level in a written exam which was followed by talks on biotechnology with question-and-answer sessions. The event was organized by the Biotech Club at Jahangirnagar University who is working to increase interest in biotechnology. Biotechnology communication and advocacy is a critical component of the Global Biotech Potato Partnership’s outreach and engagement priorities which are focused on youth and women.
Many thanks to our Bangladesh communications and advocacy partners at Farming Future Bangladesh for overseeing this activity.
|
|
NIGERIA
Celebration as Nigerian researchers harvest
first batch of biotech potatoes
|
|
Farmers were among stakeholders invited to witness the first Nigerian harvest of biotech potatoes developed under the Feed the Future Biotech Potato Partnership at a ceremony tagged Brown Field Day. A day set aside by researchers from National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) in Nigeria and International Potato Centre to showcase the difference between the biotech potatoes and the conventional varieties.
Prof. Chiedozie Egesi, Executive Director, NRCRI, said the Global Biotech Potato Partnership aims to provide an enduring solution to the late blight menace in Nigeria. “We are happy to show our esteemed farmers, and other stakeholders, the first harvest from the confined field trial. It is our firm belief that with biotech potatoes, we have an enduring solution to late blight in Nigeria. It is time for our farmers to wipe away their tears,” he says.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr Kyenpiya Deshi, a potato breeder in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Jos, said the Global Biotech Potato Partnership project intervention in Nigeria was timely.
“As a breeder, I know firsthand what farmers are going through. It has been tough, but today’s ceremony has rekindled our hope and brought us joy. The happiness is not only for farmers but also for us breeders, who have been toiling day and night to find solutions to the blight crisis,” she said.
The harvest from the first round of confined field trials planting shows that the biotech potatoes have a yield advantage of 300 percent when compared to the conventional varieties which have severely suffered from blight infestation.
|
|
Featured Potato Recipe
Perkedel Kentang: Fried Potato Patties
|
|
Best friends Nunuk and Deyana share great Indonesian recipes in their blog, Cook Me Indonesian. We found this recipe for fried potato patties, also known as Perkedel Kentang in Indonesia.
This fried potato patty consists of eggs, spring onion and spices mixed with mashed potatoes. These patties make a great snack anytime of the day!
|
|
Feed the Future is America's initiative to combat global hunger and poverty. It brings partners together to help some of the world's poorest countries harness the power of agriculture and entrepreneurship to jumpstart their economies and create new opportunities. For more information, visit www.feedthefuture.gov.
|
|
Get Connected! Don't miss any of the news and events from the
Global Biotech Potato Partnership - Sign up today!
|
|
This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Michigan State University and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
