November 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.
Project Updates and Highlights
Project scientists attend multi-week
training in Nairobi
Dr. Edy Listanto from the Research Center for Genetic Engineering of the Research Organization for Life Sciences and Environment in Indonesia and Sabina Yesmin from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute visit the confined field trial of late blight resistant potatoes in Kenya during their training.
Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership scientists from Indonesia and Bangladesh recently completed a one-month training in the laboratories at the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) - International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Hub in Nairobi, Kenya.

Edy Listanto from the Research Center for Genetic Engineering of the Research Organization for Life Sciences and Environment (RCGE-ROLSE) in Indonesia and Sabina Yesmin from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) were selected to represent project focus countries and gain valuable training for work on the Global Biotech Potato Partnership project.

Critical techniques to produce biotech potatoes were the focus of the training including tissue culture, agrobacterium strain characterization, agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and management of genetic stocks using the barcode system. A one week course on gene construct and potato transformation was also conducted.

The scientists will use these new skills in the transformation work on the second-generation of disease resistant potato in their home country research labs and transfer knowledge to other peer scientists.

The training is a part of the Global Biotech Potato Partnership's workstream four objective to strenghten the capacity of local scientists for the early development of disease resistant (DR) biotech potatoes and contribute to the product pipeline that will result in a second-generation DR biotech potato.

In addition, scientists Evans Mwasame from the Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Organization (KALRO) and Kahya Shuaibu from the Nigerian National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) participated in the same training earlier in the project.

The four scientists are scheduled to return to the laboratories at BecA-ILRI Hub in Nairobi for continued training throughout the project period.
Communication & Advocacy
AATF joins Global Biotech Potato Partnership
The Global Biotech Potato Partnership officially welcomes the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) as an active project partner. AATF began work in July, three months ahead of their scheduled start date of October 2023.

The early start date was driven in part by project milestones in Nigeria and Kenya which provided opportunities for communication and advocacy outreach. AATF, along with the International Potato Center (CIP) organized media field days during project trials of the 3 R-gene late blight resistant potato in both Nigeria and Kenya.

AATF will focus efforts on communication and advocacy for the deregulation of the late blight resistant potato in both Nigeria and Kenya. The Global Biotech Potato Partnership is excited to have their expertise and collaboration.
IN THE FIELD

BANGLADESH
Potato stakeholders gather in Dhaka to discuss late blight resistant potato for Bangladesh
Feed the Future Biotech Potato Partnership collaborator the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) along with support provided by Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), held a stakeholder consultation event in Dhaka to provide a public update on project progress of the 3 R-gene late blight resistant potato in the local farmer preferred variety, Diamant.

The event was attended by key government officials as well as project personnel and potato value chain stakeholders including farmers and researchers.

Global Biotech Potato Partnership Project Director Dr. David Douches, Michigan State University, shared his presentation on the research development of the 3 R-gene late blight resistant potato highlighting that despite the significant economic benefits of potato in Bangladesh, the persistence of late blight disease still leads to substantial crop and income loss.

Dr. Abdullah Yousuf Akhond, Director of Research at BARI, shared his presentation on the status of potato research in Bangladesh noting that fungicides account for up to one-fourth of smallholder farmers potato production costs.
INDONESIA
Risk communication workshops held in three communities prior to trial planting
Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership recently held two workshops in Indonesia focused on the research and development safety of the 3 R-gene late blight resistant potato under development in the country.

The workshop in Bandung featured a presentation from Dr. Phill Wharton, the Global Biotech Potato Partnership Global Resource Lead - Pathology from the University of Idaho, on late blight disease and it's devastating impact. Indonesian potato plant breeder, Kusmana provided insights into the Indonesian potato sector and the positive potential impacts of a late blight disease resistant potato for smallholder farmers. Dr. Mohammed Herman, the Global Biotech Potato Partnership Country Coordinator explained the safety of the technology and the Indonesian biotechnology regulatory system.

A similar program was also held in Wonosobo.

The project is currently under the confined field trial research phase in which key data will be collected and compiled for submission to the Indonesian biotechnology regulatory authorities for eventual commercialization and release to smallholder farmers throughout Indonesia.
KENYA
Kenya workshop identifies potato varieties for second-generation research
A consultation of stakeholders of the Kenyan potato value chain has selected three potato varieties for second-generation research under the Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership.

Led by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the International Potato Centre (CIP), the group identified the varieties Wanjiku, Unica, and Sherekea for the pipeline research which will include a disease-resistant gene construct to protect against late blight as well as other potato diseases.

Wanjiku is an early maturity, high yield potato variety that is oblong shaped with white cream skin and creamy flesh.

Unica is a red-skinned potato first released in Peru in 1998 by CIP. It is a high yielding variety that is high in vitamin C, iron, and zinc.

Sherekea tubers are round in shape with smooth red skin. The plants feature light purple flowers.
Nigeria
Green Field Day in Bokkos shows visitors the efficacy of late blight resistant potato
Over 75 participants including farmers, academia, media, extension, and researchers attended the Green Field Day in Bokkos, Nigeria. The event provided an opportunity for the attendees to view first-hand the late blight disease resistant potato under research in Nigeria by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) as part of the Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership. The event was organized by project partner the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).

During the event, Kayha Shuaibu the trial manager and NRCRI researcher highlighted the benefits of the potato. Farmers were especially interested to view and compare the performance of the late blight resistant potato with the one they are currently growing in their fields.

The event was highlighted in an article in the Nigerian newspaper Vanguard which can be read by clicking the link below.
IN THE NEWS
Kenyan researchers developing potatoes resistant to late blight disease
The following excerpts are taken from a story which appeared in the Kenyan Star press on September 19, 2023.

A group of international and national researchers are developing a genetically modified biotech potato variety that is free from the destructive late blight disease.

The researchers are currently evaluating the prospects of four genetically modified biotech potato varieties through Confined Field Trials (CFTs) in Muguga, Njabini and Molo.

According to the National Potato Council of Kenya, the late blight potato disease is caused by a water mold that damages leaves, stems and tubers.
Symptoms on the stem are dry, dark brown elongated blotches that cause wilting and drying, while the tuber has light brown blotches that are slightly sunken on the surface.

The disease leads to high yield losses both in the field and during storage. Losses in potato yield can go as high as 80 per cent annually.

The research project is being led by KALRO under the Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership project. It seeks to resolve the lingering challenge of late blight disease, by developing and releasing potato varieties that are resistant to the disease. 
Featured Potato Recipe
MASHED POTATO CINNAMON ROLLS
Yep, you read that right - mashed potato cinnamon rolls! This recipe from Potatoes USA incorporates mashed potatoes into a delightful cinnamon treat!

Mashed potatoes are incorporated into the cinnamon roll dough and potato starch is added to the filling.

According to the website they are, "soft, sweet, and gooey." We've got potatoes and are ready to give them a try!
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.
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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.