IITA supports the cassava product component through training for use of molecular markers to select elite progeny lines. This enables RAB scientists to identify and advance the most promising disease-resistant cassava lines with precision, accelerating the breeding pipeline.

DDPSC supports the cassava breeding component by training RAB scientists in techniques required to characterise new cassava lines at the molecular level. This includes event-specific PCR, T-DNA copy number assessment, DNA sequencing and bioinformatics, and expression of the RNAi cassette in F1 progeny lines.

Training is also provided in virus diagnostics for detection of the pathogens that cause CBSD and CMD. Although applied to cassava, most of these techniques are applicable to all transgenic crops and will raise capacity for this type of analysis at RAB — ensuring participants can transfer skills and establish them independently.

These activities lay the groundwork for Rwanda to take a leadership role in agricultural biotechnology. Through targeted investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and product innovation, the Centre of Excellence for Crop Biotechnology at RAB Rubona will become a nationally anchored platform for science-based food security solutions.