Seeds for Needs

The approach was very successful, farmers started multiplying the seeds and where very motivated (bit.ly/2Y77Xqg). Their knowledge proved to be very relevant for variety selection as shown by @BioversityInt @ScuolaSantAnna @Seeds4Needs bit.ly/2JlATaZ

What next? We now have very resistant varieties (bit.ly/2TLbDPW), farmers like and want them. Wait for formal release was to long and climate change is now. So @BioversityInt @Seeds4Needs @ScuolaSantAnna we decided to adopt a #citizenscience approach

Finally @BioversityInt @Seeds4Needs @ScuolaSantAnna we crossed these traditional varieties with the breeders one to have the benefit from both material bit.ly/2TaMNEc. Direct use, breeding, genetic modern technology and traditional knowledge is the way forward

Here are farmers in the #citizenscience plots, observing performance at very initial stage.

⚡️ “Seeds for Needs in Ethiopia. A long journey” di @c_fadda twitter.com/i/moments/1055…

What to do next? Ask farmers if they like the varieties we have just screened. It is important because they are the users of seeds. When companies do new products they do marketing research to understand customers preferences, so breeders should do with the farmers.

Here are farmers evaluating our traditional durum wheat varieties. This is a women group doing that (gender is fundamental) in the distance are male farmers. #WomensDay #womenday2019 again note the incredible variability of the wheat varieties

And so we did. @ScuolaSantAnna @BioversityInt @Seeds4Needs we let farmers have a look at the 400 accessions we were screening and we compared with our data. And here are the results. go.nature.com/2hxYbcn. And we know which traits combination they prefer

Live from #seed fair in Hoima, Uganda! Part of @BioversityInt CTDT Zimbabwe @100KIT @WUR workshop on #resilient seed systems in #EastAfrica supported by Dutch Min. of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality @planttreaty @EU_Commission @CGIARclimate

This #IWD2019, find out how a landscape restoration initiative supports #womeninag #realgroundbreakers and how gender equitable participation can benefit the entire community. 👉bit.ly/2tS9H99 @CGIARgender #WomensDay #genderinag #businessunusual #InnovateForChange 👩‍🌾

Here is a display of wheat diversity. It is easy to appreciate the diversity by looking at the color, the plant height and the different levels of maturity.

The first step is to understand your material. Are traditional varieties of durum wheat in Ethiopia more productive and genetically distinct. @BioversityInt @ScuolaSantAnna @Seeds4Needs we studied them. Find out here cambridge.org/core/journals/… and here onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pb…

⚡️ “Seeds for Needs in Ethiopia. A long journey” twitter.com/i/moments/1055…

Want to know how traditional farmers varieties can be used in advanced pre-breeding program in #Ethiopia? Find it out in this recently published paper @BioversityInt @ScuolaSantAnna @Seeds4Needs bit.ly/2IVy406

#nowreading How can farmers collaborate massively with scientists to accelerate the discovery of local climate adaptation options? Our latest article shows #citizenscience can offer a solution. @desousakaue @BioversityInt @CGIARclimate @CGIAR #agcitsci doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1…

Looking forward to launching the food revolution with out new Director General!

@Jacobvanetten @desousakaue @BioversityInt @CGIARclimate @CGIAR #citizenscience we also know what motivates farmers to participate on it. read more here bit.ly/2Tqkrdp @BioversityInt @Seeds4Needs

‘Solo attraverso le scelte delle persone, le imprese sono portate a fare dei cambiamenti’. Guido Barilla al #BCFNForum #sostenibilità

The project led by @ScuolaSantAnna #Ethiopia will make a breakthrough in the use of local knowledge and institutions with scientific, social, knowledge to adapt to #climatechange and enhance #foodsecurity.

@BarillaCFN and the winner #BCFNforum is @MartinaOccelli with a project linked to @BioversityInt and @Seeds4Needs. Congratulations @MartinaOccelli we are proud of you!