ICBA training program for extension workers on seed multiplication and production protocols in Ethiopia

As part of the project titled Rehabilitation and Management of Salt-affected Soils to Improve Agricultural Productivity (RAMSAP), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) conducted a two-day training program on seed multiplication and production protocols in Ethiopia on 16-17 October 2019 in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia. 

 The training was attended by 25 extension workers and breeders from five different regions of Ethiopia and the scientific staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia. 

The main aim of the training was to educate extension workers on different aspects of seed multiplication, including sowing, monitoring quality, harvesting, storage, etc. 

The training was part of the RAMSAP project activity of scaling up most salt-tolerant food and forage crops to improve the productivity of salt-affected lands in Ethiopia where approximately 11 million hectares of land is affected by soil salinization. 

From ICBA, the training was provided by Dr. Asad Sarwar Qureshi, Senior Scientist in Irrigation and Water Management, and Dr. R.K. Singh, Section Head, Program Leader on Crop Diversification and Genetics, Principal Scientist - Plant Breeding. 

Local seed production experts in Ethiopia also shared their experiences.