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About AMMANET
Background
The
African Molecular Marker Applications Network (AMMANET) was
initiated in 2003 by four scientists: Uganda (Dr. Richard Edema), Kenya
(Dr. Jedidah W. Danson, Dr. Kahiu Ngugi), and Zambia (Dr. Charles
Mutengwa) with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation. It was during
the conference on Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for African
crops organized by the Rockefeller Foundation that it was realized that
the application of molecular markers in breeding programs in Africa can
accelerate product development and make a difference.
Member
Countries
Scientists
from all African countries are welcome to join as members. Currently
there is membership from; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mozambique, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and
many national scientists working in CGIAR centers.
Mission
To
promote regional marker assisted selection network growth by developing,
introducing and disseminating MAS technologies and enhancing the
application of DNA markers in crop breeding in the region for speedy
delivery of products to the farmers as a way of achieving food security
as well as economic growth.
Objectives
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To
promote regional collaboration and networking through
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Exchange
of information and material
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Research
and development
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Capacity
building
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Adoption
of common approaches to MAS applications
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Regional
integration of conventional breeders and MAS scientists
Goals
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To
provide members with technical backstopping by assisting upcoming
MAS laboratories to establish
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Organizing
and supporting training of scientists on MAS either short-term
courses or advanced degree
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Establish
collaboration and research linkages with institutions of excellence
Activity
Areas
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To
share and provide technical information on MAS through a website to
be established and collective bargains for subscription to
scientific e-journals and membership to international societies
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Arrange
for regular meetings, workshops and lab visits within the region.
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To
establish and support regional mechanisms that reinforce and improve
research collaboration among other scientists such as breeders and
genetic engineering
Governance
The
Network is currently being coordinated by Dr. Jedidah Wamuyu Danson
(Kenya) and Dr. Richard Edema (Uganda). The AMMANET secretariat will
oversee the running and implementation of the Network activities and
will have a Regional Coordinator, Secretary and one Country Coordinator
from each country member preferably from established MAS labs. The
Regional secretariat will provide all the technical guidance, writing of
proposals for funding, organize regional workshops and decision making.
Contact
Address
Dr
Jedidah Wamuyu Danson
Biotechnology
Center
Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute
P.O.
Box 57811, Nairobi. Kenya
Email:
jwdanson@swiftkenya.com
or
jwdanson@biotech.or.ke
Dr
Richard Edema
Faculty
of Agriculture, Makerere University,
Address:
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email:
redema@agric.mak.ac.ug
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