Roots & Tubers Program
Roots and tubers program focuses mainly on carrying out research and technology transfer on Cassava, Irish potatoes and Sweet potatoes. However, the program plans to initiate research on other orphan roots and tubers crops such taro and yams. Program activities are concentrated in seven scopes: 1. Development of new crop varieties, 2. Development of new pest and diseases control approaches, 3. Development of good crop husbandry approaches, 4. Production of earlier generation seeds and technical backstopping of basic and certified seed multipliers, 5. Post-harvest yield handling and value addition, 6. Dissemination and promotion of innovations and 7. Upgrading knowledge and skills of all stakeholders in value chain of roots and tubers production.
Program coordinator
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Dr. Athanase Nduwumuremyi Program coordinator | Since 2021, Dr. Athanase Nduwumuremyi (PhD) is a senior research fellow and Roots and Tubers Program coordinator at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board (RAB). He holds a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics from University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa; MSc in Agricultural Sciences from Kenyatta University, Kenya; and BSc in Crop Sciences and Advanced Diploma in Crop Production from University of Rwanda. He successfully coordinated many projects and is currently leading a couple of projects including Open Forum of Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) Rwanda Chapter, and Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA). He published over 20 peer reviewed scientific papers, and he is supervising MSc and PhD students from various universities. He is energetic and ambitious for R4D to improve farmers’ livelihoods in Rwanda and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Contact email: athanase.nduwmuremyi@rab.gov.rw, mobile: +250788772201 |
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