b'free seed tubers. With seed tubers grownIt is an honour to be named directorHeck took over the new role from Oscar from Solyntas non-GMO breedinggeneral of CIP, whose collaboration withOrtiz on March 1, 2023.technology, farmers can grow potatoesnational partners has enabled millions of with specific beneficial traits and optimizefarmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America their yield considerably, with limited risk. to improve their income and support their Existing potato diseases diminishfamilies well-being with potato and sweetRESEARCH NEWSyield and affect the overall potato qualitypotato, Heck said in the release. Scientists Reveal PCN Resistant considerably. We are continuously lookingHeck is an anthropologist by trainingPotato Varietiesfor new ways to provide our customersand joined CIP in 2012 as the deputyScientists revealed results from a farm with solutions to their problems, Chrismanager for sweet potato in Africatrial which investigated potato varieties Gasperi, founder and CEO of FreshCrop,program. He previously worked withresistant to potato cyst nematodes (PCN) said in the release. We are currentlyWorldFish, the International Union forat the James Hutton Institute (JHI) in working very closely with SolyntaConservation of Nature, and the UnitedInvergowrie, U.K., a news release said.to ensure FreshCrop brings the mostKingdoms Department for InternationalThe PCN Action Scotland Winter innovative and adapted products to itsDevelopment, the release said. Conference welcomed delegates from the customers in the Kenyan market. The release noted Heck is recognized asScottish farming community and shared The partnership will allow FreshCrop toa leader of successful international multi- updates from a 2022 trial, the release not be reliant on existing potato geneticsstakeholder research-for-developmentsaid. Scientists at JHI, SoilEssentials, by having access to new, robust potatoprograms focused on improving foodScottish Agronomy, SRUC and SASA varieties from hybrid true potato seed, theand nutrition security, breeding climate- worked collaboratively on the Scottish release said. smart crops, and fostering inclusive valuegovernment-funded project, to find potato We strongly believe in empoweringchains. He has led the scaling of CIPsvarieties that were highly resistant to local farming communities by providingwork on sweet potato biofortificationPCN, and suitable for growth in Scotlands clean high quality starting material that isand is currently CIPs Director of theclimate. adapted to local growing conditions. WeSweetpotato Agri-food System ProgramAlthough we are already aware of believe we can add value to local farmersand lead of the CGIAR Initiative onpotato varieties that do not allow PCN to with the introduction of specific geneticResilient Cities. multiply as they are resistant to infection, traits that are tailored to the KenyanIn his decade with CIP, coordinatingthey can still cause significant yield losses climate and soil, Charles Miller, Solyntasmulti-stakeholder partnerships andas despite the resistance, the root systems director of business development, said indelivering innovations and improvementscan still be eaten away by the pests, the release. for vulnerable rural and urbanPhilip Burgess, with Scottishpotatoes.org The release noted FreshCrop has thecommunities in Africa and Asia, Dr.(a JHI and SRUC partnership) lead, said production and distribution infrastructureHeck has proven his ability to fosterin the release. What we need are potato in place to facilitate easy and fastmore productive, gender-responsive, andvarieties with both resistance and high distribution of clean starting materialequitable food systems, Helen Hambly,levels of tolerance to the pest, and this is to the rural communities of Kenya,chair of CIPs Board of Trustee, said in thewhat we found in the field trial.meaning all farmers can benefit, evenrelease. Some potato varieties were discovered in the most remote areas. By linking theThrough his new role, Heck will focusthat not only stopped the multiplication of Solynta innovative seed technology withon expanding CIPs proven track recordPCN, but also grew well under high pest FreshCrops distribution network, the localof leadership in high-impact researchpressure, leading to a more sustainable potato supply chain can be made morein genetic innovation, and on deliveryrotation, the release noted.efficient, more sustainable, and flexible.models along the commodity supplyIt is really pleasing to note that some chain from farm to fork, the release said. of these varieties are now being stocked His abilities as a researcher andby major retailers and we hope others will manager dedicated to science that benefitsfollow suit soon, Burgess said.Simon Heck Appointed Internationalpeople and the planet will be a valuable Potato Center Director General addition to our leadership team as we Simon Heck has been appointed directorwork to increase the visibility and impact general of International Potato Centerof CGIAR and our Centers, ClaudiaUniversity of Idaho Researching (CIP) and senior director of CGIAR, aSadoff, CGIARs executive managingPotato Nematode Controlnews release said. director, said in the release. 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