VACS Fellows strengthen capacity through regional learning tour in Zimbabwe

17 April 2026

Across Africa, crops such as taro, amaranth, sesame, Bambara groundnut, pigeon pea, finger millet and okra, often referred to as "opportunity" or underutilized crops remain central to local diets, nutrition, and climate resilience, yet they continue to receive limited investment in research, breeding, and seed system development. As climate, variability intensifies and food systems face increasing pressure, these crops offer significant potential to diversify production, improve nutrition, and strengthen resilience for smallholder farmers.

The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) project is working to unlock this potential by prioritizing these crops within a broader effort to build more diverse and resilient food systems in Africa.

Central to this effort is strengthening the capacity of researchers and practitioners to develop test, and scale improved varieties that meet farmers' needs.

It is within this context that IITA-CGIAR collaborated with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to draw professional trainees from Benin Republic, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal.

The VACS Fellows convened in Zimbabwe from the 13-17 April, 2026, for a learning tour, designed to equip them with practical skills and insights needed to advance the breeding and promotion of these critical crops.

Speaking during the learning tour, Dean Muungani, IITA Product Manager for Grain Crops, said with the changing climate, and Africa continuing to experience drier conditions, it was time to look to crops that are more adapted to extreme weather conditions and manage them towards market requirements.

"The whole idea is to build capacity of breeders that are going to be breeding these crops. We want them to learn from industry experts and get them exposed to how to manage trials, demonstrations and also how to engage farmers in breeding for these crops," he said.

The learning journey began with a visit to Seed Co Research Centre, where Fellows explored hybrid seed development systems, including trial design, management, and quality assurance processes. A key takeaway was the critical role of well-managed trials in generating reliable data that informs effective breeding decisions. Participants were also introduced to advanced techniques such as doubled haploid technology, disease screening protocols, and the use of molecular tools to ensure seed purity and quality.

"I cannot overemphasis the importance of the cross pollination of ideas. I hope what they have seen here will inspire them to replicate what we are doing here in their respective crops. What we aim to demonstrate here is the discipline required to consistently produce reliable, high-performing varieties," said Gorden Mabuyaye, the Global Head of Research and Development at Seed Co.

The tour continued at the Agricultural Research Trust (ART), where the Fellows gained insights into sustainable models for agricultural research, including partnerships and contract research. They were also exposed to innovative fertilizer solutions, including emerging on-farm nitrogen generation technologies aimed at reducing input costs.

A key highlight of the tour was the visit to Farmer Field Schools in Mudzi, facilitated by the Community Technology Development Organization (CTDO), during which the Fellows witnessed participatory plant breeding in practice. Farmers were actively engaged in testing and selecting crop varieties still under development, ensuring that final products align with local needs and preferences.

CTDO Programs Coordinator, Patrick Kasasa said, "When farmers are involved from the beginning, adoption becomes much easier. They are not just recipients of technology they are co-creators of solutions that work for their realities."

"Seeing farmers actively involved in the breeding process, from selecting traits and contributing to variety development, is both insightful and inspiring. It highlights the value of continuously engaging farmers in developing varieties suited to their environments," said Mawulawoe Awity, one of the participating Fellows from Ghana.

Fellows also explored community seed banks, which play a critical role in conserving local varieties and maintaining genetic diversity. These systems provide farmers with a reliable fallback option, strengthening resilience while preserving important germplasm within communities.

Further engagements included visits to Seed Co's vegetable production systems and CIMMYT, where Fellows wereintroduced to the maize breeding program and mechanization technologies. These experiences highlighted the importance of integrating improved varieties with efficient production systems to drive agricultural transformation.

"This VACS capacity-building program is ideal because agriculture is dynamic, we have new technologies that are coming on board, and in this climate change environment, there is need for breeders to learn and use these technologies for advanced breeding," said Xaxier Mikeh, Program Development Lead at CIMMYT Southern Africa

Throughout the tour, partnerships emerged as a central theme. Engagements with institutions such as Seed Co, CTDO, ART, and CIMMYT demonstrated the critical role of collaboration in scaling innovation and delivering impact at farmer level.

By the end of the tour, the Fellows had gained not only technical knowledge but also practical insights into how agricultural innovations can be adapted and implemented within their respective countries, particularly for opportunity crops under the VACS initiative.

The learning tour underscored a clear message: strengthening human capacity is key to transforming agricultural systems. As the Fellows return to their location, they carry with them the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to drive the adoption of improved technologies, strengthen seed systems, and enhance farmer productivity and livelihoods across the region.

Contributed by Rachel Namukolo-Nali