The group spans over seven countries working towards improving the nutritional value of yields such as sorghum, maize, and cassava, among others. Professor of Plant Breeding in the Department of Plant Sciences at the UFS, Maryke Labuschagne, elaborates further on the objectives and development of the research…

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Labuschagne says that researchers have been placed all over Africa in hopes of finding the common denominators for the composition of the yield. She adds that they are working steadfast towards developing commercial varieties of seeds that have increased nutritional value, are resilient to adverse climate and production conditions, and pest and disease resistant. 

“Pest resistance is the focus of another PhD study by a student in Zimbabwe. He is investigating the devastating fall armyworm, and how pest resistance can be genetically enhanced,” says Labuschagne. 

She emphasises the importance of availing these nutritionally enhanced seeds to small-scale farmers for production. This, so that whatever is produced on the small-scale farms may be used by the farmers and their dependants. “We really hope that with this research that we will contribute towards the improvements of the nutritional status of poor communities,” says Labuschagne. 

Labuschagne says that there is no difference between these nutritionally improved seeds compared to normal seeds. The planting and harvesting process of these yields are not hindered nor fast-tracked, she adds.

Lastly, she adds that amazing work is being done on the African continent in terms of the nutritional improvement of crops. 

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