| Ethiopian maize research team wins Best Breeding Team in East Africa award |
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Addis Ababa, November 28, 2007 (WIC) –
The maize research team of Melkasa Agricultural Research
Center has won the Best Breeding Team in East Africa
award.
During a ceremony held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) yesterday, East African Drought Tolerant Maize Project Head Dr. Wilfred Muangi said while Ethiopia won the Best Breeding Team category, Tanzania has been awarded as the Best Disseminating Team. State Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Abera Deresa, said on his part the award given to the researchers will reinforce the country’s agriculture-led economy. The country was importing maize seeds from Kenya some years ago, he recalled, adding that it is however currently exporting maize varieties more than Kenya and Tanzania. Head of the award winning team, Dr. Mandefro Nigusse, said the award in Best Breeding Team will encourage them to further enhance their research activities and to work hard and win in the other categories as well. The maize varieties obtained through the research have raised the productivity of the crop from 10 quintals per hectare to 40 up to 50 quintals, he said, adding that young researchers engaged in the research of maize and other crops should also follow suit and work sincerely keeping in mind the poor farmers. The project, which is assisted by Bill Gates Foundation operates in 11 drought prone countries in East, South and West Africa, and is engaged in the research and dissemination of drought resistant and highly productive maize varieties, it was learnt. The project was launched last year and has a mission to distribute improved varieties of maize for some 40 million people in the countries of the aforementioned regions in the coming 10 years. Nine members of the Best Breeding Team were given certificates and 3,000 USD each, it was learnt. |
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