Revolutionizing Enset cultivation: Strategic alliance aims to tackle challenges in Ethiopia

IITA, Alabaster International (Alabaster), and the Girl Child Network (GCN) have forged a strategic partnership to transform Enset cultivation in Ethiopia. This collaboration seeks to leverage each organization’s unique expertise and resources to tackle key challenges in Enset cultivation and utilization, focusing on tissue culture, bacterial wilt management, genomic sequencing, and gene editing of Enset.

Enset, often referred to as the “tree against hunger,” is a staple crop for over 20 million Ethiopians. However, it faces urgent and serious threats, particularly from diseases like bacterial wilt, which can devastate entire crops and lead to 100% yield losses if not managed effectively. This disease has also contributed to reducing landrace diversity, exacerbating food insecurity in certain regions. Traditional breeding methods have struggled to address these issues, making innovative research efforts critical.

This strategic collaboration is not just about advancing science but about making a significant and tangible impact on the lives of smallholder farmers, especially women, who depend on Enset for their livelihoods. The project aims to secure a sustainable and promising future for Enset cultivation by addressing challenges like bacterial wilt and enhancing tissue culture techniques.

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