Vegetable Breeding and Seed Systems (vBBS) for poverty reduction in Africa.

Introduction
The program in collaboration with the regional vegetable research centre (AVRDC) is conducting a research project in vegetable breeding and seed systems (vBBS) which aims at stablishing a mechanism for sustainable vegetable breeding and seed supply in four target countries so that these countries have functional and effective vegetable breeding programs and provide vegetable varieties to additional countries which will be assisted to develop well functioning seed distribution systems. More so, increasing the supply of well adapted superior multi disease resistant and abiotic stress tolerant vegetable varieties by 20-30% and finally increase the area under vegetable production with improved varieties at least 20% in the 4 target countries and thereby increase the incomes of farmers growing improved vegetable varieties by 15-20%.
These objectives are being achieved through breeding introduced and indigenous vegetable varieties for pests and disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stresses, low input requirements, high economic yield, consumer preference and high micro nutrient content, testing and multiplying the most promising lines, disseminating the outstanding varieties and undertaking demand creation activities to ensure wide spread adoption

Progress so far Five (5) IV species selected for seed production fields of African Egg plants (Nakati) and Amaranthus established seed harvesting and processing in progress
 Demonstration plots of selected IVs established. Demonstration plots of other IV lines of proven performance from previous evaluations conducted at NaCRRI, Namulonge have been established.
 Farmer groups to participate in the country training identified
 Organized a seed fair as a way of promoting vegetable seed production and dissemination, production and consumption of vegetables (exotic and IVs). Farmers had the opportunity to obtain information on production utilization, processing and marketing of vegetables. The seed fair provided an avenue for researchers to realize the farmers real needs. This formed the basis for improvement of vegetable production system in the country (Uganda).

Prospects

 Conduct the country training to NARES, NGOs, private seed company staff and farmer representatives on production, processing and utilization technologies. The training will target producers, processors and marketers of seed.
 Training schedule and training materials on seed production and processing will be designed. NGOs and private seed companies for dissemination of proper production technologies for improved vegetable varieties. Expect to identify at least two NGOs and four (4) private seed companies to work with.
 Promote target vegetable species at the Annual National Agricultural Show
 Coordinate and organize a field day and seed fair

Team: Dr. Peter Sseruwagi
Dr. Sophie Musaana
Ms. Maureen Logose