ICRISAT West and Central Africa has reorganized all disciplines of agronomic research (agronomy, breeding, biotechnology/ genomics, integrated crop management, physiology, sociology, agroeconomics, etc.) under one umbrella called the Crop Improvement Operations Team (CIOT). A “one-stop shop” for all crop improvement operations, the CIOT was launched on Tuesday 24 August 2021 at ICRISAT’s Samanko research station in Mali.

1. Newsletter
Happenings
In-house version 9 Sep 2021, No.1923
ICRISAT West and Central Africa has
reorganized all disciplines of
agronomic research (agronomy,
breeding, biotechnology/ genomics,
integrated crop management,
physiology, sociology, agroeconomics,
etc.) under one umbrella called the
Crop Improvement Operations Team
(CIOT). A “one-stop shop” for all crop
improvement operations, the CIOT
was launched on Tuesday 24 August
2021 at ICRISAT’s Samanko research
station in Mali.
In his opening remarks at the launch, Dr Ramadjita Tabo,
Regional Director for ICRISAT in WCA, said, “The CIOT is
at the heart of the transformation and implementation
of ICRISAT’s plant breeding programs that began a few
years ago. We believe that CIOT’s implementation is an
opportunity to better equip the national research staff
and to have multidisciplinary and versatile teams in crop
breeding operations. From now on, our colleagues will
be equipped with new, transversal and solid knowledge
in agricultural research as it is expected that the
members of the CIOT teams will be mobile, work in
synergy with various teams and remain diligent and
communicative to handle multiple operations.”
“At ICRISAT’s regional research hub at Samanko,
significant efforts are being made to renovate and build
new infrastructure that will support the work of CIOT,
which is aimed at raising the standard of our research,
efficiency and precision. The presentation of the
members of the CIOT teams is an important step to the
launch of ICRISAT’s CIOT in West and Central Africa,”
Dr Tabo added.
“This is an opportunity to broaden skills by learning new
things about ICRISAT’s mandate crops, sharing of
knowledge in a multidisciplinary team,” emphasized
Dr Ousmane Sanogo, Leader of the CIOT. “An
interdisciplinary team of individual crop improvement
operations will merge into a single and unique entity
where all researchers unite and support the breeder of a
given crop for designing and bearing efficient product
concept. The major crop improvement activities will
focus on nursery, trials and production of different
categories of seeds. The CIOT also intends to contribute
to other activities including seed supply for partners and
DNA sampling for genotyping,” he said.
“The CIOT in WCA is made up of eight teams. Trainings
will be organized progressively so that everyone can
have the capacity to carry out the work that will be
entrusted to them. Procedures for the use of
New ‘one-stop shop’ team formed to take ICRISAT’S plant
breeding program in West and Central Africa to next level
equipment, general or specific understanding of tasks
will be within everyone’s reach,” Dr Sanogo explained.
“Breeders will now be able to focus more on trials. Also,
the team’s members are expected to improve efficiency,
data quality and operations,” said Dr Haile Desmae, Lead
Regional Breeding -ICRISAT in WCA.
“The CIOT approach will be of great support to ICRISAT’s
research operations in WCA,” noted Mr Amadou Traore,
Research Technician. “With the CIOT, I will have the
opportunity to impact breeding operations of more than
one ICRISAT mandate crop. I will gain new skills and
competences on sorghum and millet breeding, and at
the same time I will enthusiastically share my experience
on groundnut breeding operations. Appointed as the
Team Coordinator for Dryland Cereals and Tropical
Legumes Crossings, I will have the time to complete
groundnut crossing then move to another to support
while waiting for the right time to lead my crossing team
again for the dry cereals’ crops. This is fantastic!”
Mr Mamourou Sidibe, Senior Scientific Officer, described
CIOT as a well-thought-out approach with clearly stated
benefits. “Teamwork within the CIOT is an opportunity
for junior scientific staff to train in genotyping, sampling,
as well as all laboratory related work. It is a great
opportunity to leverage a new generation of researchers
and research technicians,” said Dr Keita Djeneba Konate,
Senior Scientific Officer, Laboratory Team Coordinator.
“In the village, the rooster belongs to one person but
crows for all,” quipped ICRISAT’s Senior Sorghum
Breeder and the session’s moderator Dr Aboubacar
Toure as he highlighted the CIOT as a one-stop shop.
Mr Issaka Yougbare, Regional Administration Manager,
and Ms Agathe Diama, Senior Manager-Communication,
assured the CIOT Lead and the team their continued
support for successful implementation of the
operations. “Communication wise, working as a one
stop-shop is not new. We will continue our support to
integrated research activities within the CIOT”
concluded Ms Diama.
CIOT-WCA and other participants at the launch of the team.
Photo: N Diakite