Integrated Breeding Platform Deployment in Africa (I.): The Digital Revolution Has Already Started!

The Integrated Breeding platform (IBP) is working to strengthen plant breeding programs in developing countries across both the public and private sectors by providing access to the information, tools and services that plant breeders need to run their programs more effectively and efficiently.

Since the release of our first stand-alone version of an integrated analytical pipeline (the Breeding Management System, BMS), in June 2013, the IBP has undertaken an unique effort to effect change in plant breeding programs in Sub-Saharan Africa; more than 700 scientists and technicians have been exposed to the BMS as a key driver in creating the demand and momentum for change. The IBP has enlisted the support of senior management in institutions in more than a dozen countries, and worked with key individuals (champions) who have been willing and enthusiastic to invest their time and effort to adopt the BMS. We can proudly say that the deployment of the BMS in Africa is proving to be a demand driven initiative. With the recent release of the BMS v4, our enterprise web-based version, the deployment will now shift from stand-alone users to entire breeding programs and institutions who will manage their data collectively on an LAN or web server. The overall effort can only be made possible with the support of regional hubs, in Africa, that provide support services. A key element of the deployment strategy for the BMS has been an inclusive capacity development strategy, working with African universities. This is essential; the next generation of plant breeders will be key to modernising plant breeding in Africa.

We can confidently say that the digital revolution is well and truly underway in Africa and we are very pleased to be a part of that revolution.