Training on Advanced Plant Breeding
Advance your expertise in crop improvement with this results-driven 5-module course on plant breeding, molecular tools, and biotech integration for food security and sustainability.
Next intake
20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru
Duration
5 days
Live instruction
Delivery
Physical + Virtual
Cohort based
Level
Advanced
Working professionals
Certification
NITA reimbursable
For Kenyan cohorts
Language
English
All materials
About this programme
This Training on Advanced Plant Breeding is designed for researchers, scientists, and agricultural professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in crop improvement through classical and modern breeding approaches. Participants will explore advanced genetic techniques, molecular tools, and breeding program design strategies aimed at enhancing crop performance, resilience, and nutritional value. The course integrates practical case studies and real-world applications to empower participants with actionable knowledge for advancing food production and sustainability.
Duration
5 Days
Who Should Attend
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Plant Breeders and Geneticists
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Agricultural Researchers
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Crop Scientists
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Seed Company Experts
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Biotechnologists
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Government and NGO Professionals in Agriculture
What you'll walk away with
By the end of this course, participants will:
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Master advanced methods in plant breeding and genetics
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Utilize molecular markers and genomic selection tools
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Integrate biotechnology with traditional breeding practices
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Design and evaluate breeding trials and selection schemes
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Apply plant breeding strategies to address climate and market demands
What we cover, module by module
Module 1: Foundations of Advanced Plant Breeding
- Overview of traditional, conventional, and modern plant breeding approaches
- Genetic principles: inheritance, heritability, and trait expression
- Setting breeding objectives based on yield, quality, and resilience
- Breeding strategies: selection, hybridization, and recurrent selection
- Case Study: Success in yield improvement through recurrent selection in maize breeding programs
- Practical Activity: Designing a breeding objective for a selected crop (yield, drought tolerance, or disease resistance)
Module 2: Molecular and Genomic Tools in Breeding
- Marker-assisted selection (MAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping
- Genomic selection and genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
- Introduction to bioinformatics tools used in plant breeding
- Integrating molecular tools with conventional breeding methods
- Case Study: Application of genomic selection in wheat improvement programs
- Practical Exercise: Interpreting genotype data to identify superior plant traits for selection
Module 3: Breeding for Stress Tolerance and Adaptability
- Breeding for drought, salinity, heat, and pest/disease resistance
- Field trial design and stress screening methodologies
- Participatory plant breeding approaches for smallholder farmers
- Climate-smart crop improvement strategies
- Case Study: Development of drought-tolerant rice varieties in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Practical Activity: Designing a breeding plan for a climate-resilient crop under local conditions
Module 4: Biotech Integration and Emerging Technologies
- Genetic engineering, transgenics, and CRISPR-based gene editing
- Synthetic biology applications in crop improvement
- Regulatory, biosafety, and ethical considerations in biotechnology
- Technology transfer and commercialization pathways
- Case Study: CRISPR-based disease resistance development in staple crops
- Practical Simulation: Designing a biotechnology-enabled crop improvement pipeline from lab to field
Module 5: Breeding Program Management and Impact Assessment
- Planning multi-location and multi-season breeding trials
- Data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation in breeding programs
- Assessing socio-economic and environmental impacts of new varieties
- Scaling improved varieties and adoption strategies
- Case Study: Impact of improved crop varieties on farmer livelihoods and food security
- Final Project: Developing a complete plant breeding program proposal, including objectives, methodology, and impact assessment plan
Where the change lands
Organizational Impact
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The organization can significantly shorten the time required to develop new crop varieties, which increases its speed to market and competitive advantage.
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The training will enable the organization to create new crop varieties with superior traits like higher yields, better disease resistance, and improved nutritional value.
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By using advanced genetic tools to identify desired traits early, the organization can reduce the costs and risks associated with long and expensive traditional breeding cycles.
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The ability to leverage cutting-edge technology positions the organization as an innovator in the agricultural sector, which attracts key partnerships and talent.
Personal Impact
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The participant will gain a highly technical and valuable skill set in a cutting-edge field that is essential for the future of food production.
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Expertise in advanced plant breeding is a key skill for career progression into senior research, R&D management, or leadership roles.
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The individual will be able to contribute directly to the organization's growth and sustainability by leading the development of new, high-value crop varieties.
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The training will empower the participant with the knowledge to apply modern genetic tools and data-driven methods to complex breeding challenges.
Dates and locations
Upcoming intakes
Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.
| City | Starts | Ends | Delivery | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NakuruNext | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kigali | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Accra | 20 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Kisumu | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Johannesburg | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
Dakar | 27 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | In-Person | Book |
- NakuruNext
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kigali
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Accra
20 Jul → 24 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Kisumu
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Johannesburg
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake - Dakar
27 Jul → 31 Jul·In-Person
Book this intake
Common questions.
Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.
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Course finder
Find the right course for you
Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.
For corporate teams
Training 10+ professionals?
We deliver Training on Advanced Plant Breeding in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.