SNP based KASP markers for quality control in cowpea breeding

The Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA) project consolidates the gains made by TL-III, HOPE-II and HarvestPlus -- all funded by the BMGF – while refocusing the work to improve the CGIAR and key NARS breeding and seed delivery systems. The AVISA initiative comprises the most important dryland cereals (sorghum and pearl millet) and legume crops (groundnut, common bean and cowpea) on the African continent, in the key BMGF focus geographies where these crops are important (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda). AVISA goal is to accelerate the delivery of improved varieties of dryland cereals and legumes to women and men farmers in Africa to improve their livelihoods in the face of variable and changing climates. Objectives: 1. Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Africa-focused breeding programs of 3 CGIAR centers and NARS partners by adopting modern approaches akin to those employed by private sector breeding companies. 2. Engage the public and private sectors in innovative and gender-responsive ways to enhance the supply of and access to high quality seed of improved varieties and hybrids.