HUB TO SPOKE - Aphid resistant wheat for the smallholder farmer in Africa

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Seed-Co are the largest seed company in Africa, operating in 13 countries in Eastern, Central, Westernand Southern Africa and have developed varieties suitable for different environmental conditions as wellas for the smallholder farmer, therefore any pest resistance traits will benefit farmers in Africa andfurther afield. Smallholder farmers face difficult challenges in protecting their crops against pests anddiseases in these countries. Aphid pests can cause severe damage and yield losses to wheat. This projectwill identify wheat lines which show resistance to aphids, which can be bred into wheat varietiessuitable to be grown in rain-fed, low-potential environments, thereby safeguarding the yield ofsmallholder farmers and reducing the reliance on expensive and environmentally unfriendly pesticides.By doing this we hope to contribute to the food and income security of the African smallholder farmer.