The Global Partnership Initiative for Plant Breeding Capacity Building (GIPB) is pleased to announce the launch of the Plant Breeding Forum listserv, an e-mail based forum for plant breeding and related fields. The purpose of PBForum-L is to create a means for plant breeders and those in related fields to interact easily on a regular and informal basis, with inquiry, discussion and debate.

PBForum-L complements PBN-L, the Plant Breeding News, a monthly e-newsletter and the global forum feature of the GIPB website.

Who will benefit by subscribing?

The users of PBForum-L should include public and private-sector plant breeders, students, teachers, research administrators, the seed industry, policy-makers, farmers, and others.

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A Global Plant Council has been formed as part of an historic and groundbreaking summit of major plant science societies from around the world. Twenty one scientists representing 13 plant science societies gathered in Honolulu July 15–16 at a summit organized by the American Society of Plant Biologists ASPB to explore ways in which plant scientists can come together to address global concerns such as world hunger, energy, climate change, health and well-being, sustainability, and environmental protection. The mission of the Global Plant Council will be to define and engage in coordinated strategies to address these critical issues and to increase awareness of the central role of plant science in their resolution. The shared vision and unified effort of plant scientists from all regions of the world will enable the most effective use of knowledge and resources to tackle the major challenges confronting all nations in the 21^st century.

As stated by Dr. Kasem Zaki Ahmed, president of the African Crop Science Society, “The world relies on ten major crops to provide 95% of the food consumed by humans and farm animals. To address the problems facing Africa we must improve existing crops and develop new ones that have higher yields and greater resistance to pests, pathogens, drought, and other environmental stresses.”

Plant biology–and thus plant science research–is central to other global challenges as well. European scientist Dr. Wilhelm Gruissem (president of the European Plant Science Organisation) noted, “We must address the key issues of biodiversity in natural and managed environments”. Dr. Zhihong Xu, president of the Chinese Society of Plant Physiologists noted, “We need to increase the search for and investment in the discovery and development of new and existing bioactive compounds and medicines from a diversity of plant species.”

The newly formed Global Plant Council will move forward to create partnerships and collaborations that tackle and solve what we all recognize as critical and immediate problems for our planet.

“The Global Plant Council is the first step that plant scientists across the globe have taken to speak with one voice on the pressing challenges that face humankind,” said Mel Oliver, summit moderator.

For more information visit ASPB

The African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI) at the University of KwaZulu – Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa offers this prestigious scholarship to young African Scientists’ who are keen to make Plant Breeding their career. The aim of the ACCI is to train African plant breeders, in Africa, on African crops. This involves 2 years of academic studies at the University of KwaZulu – Natal and 3 years of field research in the student home countries, at their home institution. The crops our students breed are food security crop: Cereals, roots and tubers and legumes.

Elegibilty: Applicants must

1. Be under 40 years of age.
2. Possess an MSc in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Plant Pathology, Crop Science or Horticultural Science or equivalent degree.
3. Have a position in their home country as an agricultural research scientist in a national agricultural research institution or NGO, or as a University lecturer.
4. Be from one of the following countries: Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi or South Africa.

Application procedures: We are calling for applications, in the form of

• A CV containing clear contact details, including academic record.
• 3 references, one of whom should be the MSc supervisor.
• A letter of motivation, including notes on the applicants interest areas in plant breeding.

Successful candidates would be eligible to begin their studies in January 2010. Applications to be sent to Mrs L Mbhele email hidden; JavaScript is required

For more information on this scholarship, please visit the website:
The African Center for Crop Improvement (www.acci.org.za)

The closing date for application is September 30, 2009.

Hellen A. Ochieng, Training Officer
International Centre for Research in Agroforestry
United Nations Avenue
P.O. Box 30677-00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Tel: 254-20-7224218 (Direct)
Training unit: www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/Training/