Development of portfolio management tools in crop breeding programs: a case study of cassava in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The response to the diverse needs along the cassava value chain, the urge to increase genetic gain, and the need for rapid varietal turnover will necessitate not only technological innovations but also transformation of public breeding programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We developed guiding, flexible and adaptative tools for portfolio management of cassava breeding. The cassava breeding and product development pipeline process was mapped to illustrate activities of each stage, as well as to clarify key decision points. Stakeholders involved at all stages of breeding were identified. This allowed for identification of gaps and new crucial functions. To clarify accountability and reduce complexity in the decision-making at key decision points, the roles were mapped against decision-rights at each stage-gate. Cassava crop calendars for the different regions in SSA were developed to facilitate better planning. A product advancement template was developed to guide product advancement. The tools that have been developed and stage-gate mapping, will support regional efforts to establish more structured, transparent, participatory, efficient, inclusive, and demand-driven cassava breeding in the region. These approaches could be customized to other commodities.

A case of transdisciplinarity and collaborative decision making: the co‐construction of Gendered Food Product Profiles

“…One of the main learnings from this evaluation was that food system actors cannot only be represented by social scientists and marketing experts but need to attend as well. 52 The evidence report was distributed to the GFPP design team and presentations were given. Each characteristic/trait (if determined) was discussed from preharvest to final food product quality.…”

“…Although including different disciplines within breeding is essential, the symmetric and equal inclusion of stakeholders in the breeding process can go further to include meaningful representation from the broader food system and strengthening equity within these processes, which was limited in RTBfoods project due to challenges such as delivery pressure. For example, cassava breeding product advancement meetings as well as the proposed scalable cassava breeding management system that proposes roles and decision rights for the different disciplines at each stage gate of the breeding process, 52 only comprises of social scientists and marketing experts who represent food system actors (e.g., farmers, processors and consumers), much like the design team that was created with the RTBfoods project. However, there is a need to include the actors themselves.…”