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Country Report
 
 

Mali


Project: TOMATO VIRUS RESISTANCE FOR WEST AFRICA
   
Project Manager: Frank Shotkoski, Director, ABSPII
   
Participating Countries: Mali
   
Term: 2005-2009
   
Partners:
   
Technology: Currently screening to identify viruses. The pepper Pvr1 gene will be tested for its resistance to local viruses.
   
Project Status:
    The resistance gene Pvr1 was transferred into experimental tomato lines at Cornell University. A breeding program will now take place to transfer this gene into tomato varieties grown in Mali. Once this is completed, the material will be sent to Mali for continued breeding. The goal of the project is to produce a Roma-type tomato with conventional resistance to TYLCV and bioengineered for resistance to potyvirus.
   
Expected Benefits :
  • Train scientists from Mali and other African countries in advanced tomato breeding techniques.
  • Increased tomato production at a much reduced cost for regional farmers.

 

Tomato VR - Mali

   
Economic Importance: Currently about 40% of the market sales of products in Mali and other West African countries come from horticultural crops and tomato is one of the most important horticultural crops grown. In Mali, losses due to tomato virus disease over the past 4-5 years have resulted in a shift from the country being a net tomato exporter to a net importer. By increasing tomato production in Mali, this project will help small scale farmers increase their income.
   
Partners Within the Country: Institute for Rural Economics (IER), Mali
The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC), Mali
   
Planned Activities and Milestones:
  • Sample regional viruses.
  • Develop screening methods for virus resistance detection in Mali.
  • Breed conventional TYLCV resistance and potyvirus-resistance into local tomato varieties.
  • Form partnership with seed distribution sector.
   

 


 
 
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