Bursaries for InterDrought−IV Conference

  Calling developing-world researchers − funding to attend a world conference on increasing crop yield and stability despite drought. The InterDrought−IV Conference brings together leading drought researchers and the latest in drought research. Pre-conference sessions include the newest techniques for practical selection for drought tolerance, and in drought management. Application...

December 17, 2012 11:07am

Hot off the press! New publications on crop genomics and bioinformatics

This week opens with two brand-new publications, co-authored by members of our Management Team. Can genomics boost productivity of orphan crops? A crucial question! Read all about it in this open-access opinion piece published in Nature Biotechnology. The lead author is Rajeev Varshney, our Theme Leader for Comparative and applied genomics,...

December 10, 2012 1:30pm

GCP’s Director discusses his ‘passion for the mission of science’ as the Programme yields ravishing results with productive partnerships and novel networks for R&D

A first course of appetising alphabet soup was served to readers in a nourishing news item whose main ingredient – an initial interview with GCP’s Director, Jean-Marcel Ribaut, and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) – highlighted public-private partnerships in research for development. The GCP Communications kitchen is...

November 27, 2012 2:23pm

All that glitters… is sometimes gold – GSS contributes to a winning PhD

  AbduRahman (middle) flanked by winners of the BSc Hons and MSc categories. We are delighted to announce that one of our grantees in the Genotyping Support Service (GSS) scheme, who is also a CIMMYT PhD fellow, was honoured at the recently held annual postgraduate symposium of Botany and Plant...

November 26, 2012 2:38pm

Delicious helping of alphabet soup served up as GCP’s Director is interviewed about the ABCs of PPPs in R4D by SFSA

This tongue-twisting title is sure to tantalise your taste buds, but we shall dispel the myths and spell out the acronyms to leave you with nothing else but a sweeter aftertaste! GCP’s Director and ‘head Chef’, Jean-Marcel Ribaut, was interviewed by the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA), on the...

November 14, 2012 12:56pm

FAO opens the case: current competition calls for studies on non-GMO ‘Use of Agricultural Biotechnologies in Developing Countries’

  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has opened a competition to identify five case studies on the use of agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries. Authors selected will receive a moderate honorarium and their case studies will be compiled into an FAO publication documenting instances where...

October 18, 2012 4:32pm

An ode to the ‘accomplished muse’, Musa acuminata OR ‘B’ is for banana…

Brand-new blog post buzzes brightly over brilliant bananas   The GCP blog is in a musical mood, with a fresh post singing the praises of a trio of GCP scientists who have been instrumental in orchestrating an original overture for banana genetics. The principal conductors of this concerto, Jean Christophe...

September 25, 2012 9:34am

Gurus and godfathers of genius gene roll out the three ‘r’s of rice: rooting, rocking and…reproducing!

Three proves to be the magic number as this series of new blog posts will testify!       These perky posts boast the bravado of a rice project which has well and truly been in the limelight of late – and profile the main scientists behind the scenes. We are of...

September 11, 2012 3:31pm

Landmark achievement in rice breeding to unlock nutrient ‘treasure chest’ buried in the soil – PSTOL1 marks the spot!

Years of determined searching down phosphorous pathways has resulted in the triumphant discovery of a gene which enhances root growth and enables phosphorous uptake in rice, improving plant growth and ultimately increasing crop production. Sigrid Heuer, Principal Investigator of the GCP-funded project, and her intrepid international IRRI-led team, tracked down...

August 23, 2012 4:45pm

Digital revolutionaries of the agricultural world, unite!

GCP and comrades far and wide, join us in celebrating a highly successful man of science, who is most certainly in a class of his own! Early July witnessed a momentous day for GCP’s Comparative Genomics leader, Rajeev K Varshney, as he met with Bill Gates and associates at a...

August 21, 2012 1:27pm

Conservation & plant genetic resources research: the 2013 Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship call from Bioversity now open

Two fellowships from Bioversity International’s Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship Fund are currently available to carry out research on a wide range of topics related to the conservation and use of plant genetic resources in developing countries. Each fellowship, supported by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc, USA and the Grains Research and Development Corporation...

August 13, 2012 2:24pm

Charting a change at the summit: A new Chair for the Executive Board

Effective 1st July 2012, GCP’s Executive Board Chair is Dr Andrew Bennett, who has been an enthusiastic and active Board member since its foundation in 2008, contributing to Board decision-making and providing advice based on his vast  experience which spans expertise in agronomy, tropical agriculture, forestry, research, environmental management, international...

July 4, 2012 12:51pm

Now on board: GCP welcomes new members to the Executive Board

GCP is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Executive Board. Dr Michael Morris and Dr Markus Palenberg came on board in March 2012, shortly before joining the team for the 8th Executive Board Meeting, from March 28-29 at GCP HQ in El Batan, Mexico....

May 29, 2012 1:09pm

Genomic advances caught in the Arachis web raise hopes of cracking the groundnut genome: GCP projects and other initiatives illustrated in prominent article

A recent article by a crack team of genomic experts, including several GCP researchers and GCP's Leader for Theme 1 (Comparative and applied genomics), Rajeev Varshney, has been published in the scientific journal Biotechnology Advances Vol 30, Issue 3. The article, entitled Advances in Arachis genomics for peanut improvement is...

March 9, 2012 7:35am

GCP team welcomes new member on board

  GCP is pleased to announce the addition of Dr Hamer Paschal to the team. Hamer will be working as a part-time consultant and his primary responsibility will be to support the Capacity Building Theme Leader, Ndeye Ndack Diop in general training activities, particularly in molecular and conventional breeding....

March 9, 2012 7:33am