Introduction

As climate change accelerates and extreme weather events become more frequent, the need for climate-resilient agriculture is more urgent than ever. Training Course on Climate-Resistant Crop Variety Selection and Breeding equips agricultural professionals, researchers, and policy-makers with cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on techniques to combat the adverse effects of climate variability. Focused on the latest advancements in crop genetics, biotechnology, and sustainable breeding strategies, the course emphasizes how to enhance productivity, ensure food security, and preserve agrobiodiversity in the face of environmental stressors such as drought, salinity, heat, and pest pressures.

Using data-driven approaches and real-world case studies, this SEO-optimized training empowers learners to make informed decisions regarding variety development, selection, and deployment. Participants will gain insights into participatory breeding, precision phenotyping, gene editing tools (such as CRISPR), and climate modeling for agro-ecological zoning. By fostering climate-smart agriculture, this program supports long-term adaptation strategies aligned with global development goals like SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Programme Curriculum

Training Course on Climate-Resistant Crop Variety Selection and Breeding

Introduction

Learning Objectives

Understand climate change impacts on crop genetics and agricultural systems.
Identify key traits for climate-resilient crop varieties (e.g., drought, heat, salinity tolerance).
Apply genomic-assisted breeding tools including marker-assisted selection (MAS).
Integrate precision agriculture and smart farming in variety evaluation.
Analyze genetic diversity and its role in crop adaptation.
Employ participatory varietal selection (PVS) for community-driven breeding.
Utilize CRISPR/Cas9 and gene editing in breeding for climate-smart traits.
Apply crop simulation models for evaluating varietal performance.
Develop breeding strategies for pest- and disease-resistant varieties.
Promote biodiversity conservation through local and traditional varieties.
Assess agronomic performance using multi-environment trials.
Design seed dissemination strategies for climate-resilient varieties.
Develop policy recommendations for climate-resilient breeding systems.

Target Audiences

Agricultural Researchers
Plant Breeders
Extension Officers
Agro-policy Makers
Seed Companies and Agribusiness Professionals
University Faculty and Students (Agriculture/Biotechnology)
Development Agencies and NGOs
Climate Change and Food Security Experts

Course Duration: 5 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Overview of climate risks in agriculture
Vulnerabilities of major crops to climate change
Climate-smart agriculture principles
Role of crop breeding in adaptation
Global trends in crop loss and food insecurity
Case Study: FAO-supported climate-resilient rice in Bangladesh

Module 2: Identifying Traits for Resilience

Key adaptive traits (drought, salinity, heat, flood)
Trait-environment interactions
Phenotypic screening protocols
High-throughput phenotyping tools
Trait prioritization for target environments
Case Study: Drought-tolerant maize under the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project

Module 3: Genetic Resources and Diversity

Crop genetic resources and gene banks
Importance of landraces and wild relatives
Pre-breeding for stress resilience
DNA markers and genotyping tools
Germplasm evaluation under stress conditions
Case Study: ICRISAT's use of sorghum landraces in India

Module 4: Genomic and Molecular Breeding Tools

Marker-assisted selection (MAS)
Genomic selection (GS) principles
Transcriptomics and metabolomics applications
Bioinformatics in crop breeding
Emerging technologies (e.g., SNP arrays, NGS)
Case Study: Genomic-assisted wheat breeding in CIMMYT programs

Module 5: Participatory Breeding and Stakeholder Engagement

Farmer-centered breeding approaches
Gender-inclusive breeding design
On-farm varietal trials and evaluation
Bridging scientific and indigenous knowledge
Policy frameworks supporting farmer participation
Case Study: Participatory varietal selection in East African beans

Module 6: Gene Editing and Advanced Biotech Approaches

CRISPR/Cas9 in crop improvement
Regulatory frameworks and biosafety
Ethical and social considerations
Tissue culture and transformation techniques
Product development and commercialization pipelines
Case Study: Genome-edited rice for submergence tolerance in Southeast Asia

Module 7: Climate Modeling and Variety Targeting

Crop modeling platforms (e.g., DSSAT, APSIM)
Climate data integration in breeding
Agroecological zoning and adaptation mapping
Risk and vulnerability assessment
Forecasting varietal performance under climate scenarios
Case Study: Climate-resilient wheat zone modeling in Ethiopia

Module 8: Scaling and Policy Integration

Seed system development for resilient varieties
Intellectual property and plant variety protection (PVP)
Market linkages and agribusiness models
Extension strategies for adoption
National and global policy alignment (e.g., SDGs, CAADP)
Case Study: Policy-driven millet revival in Kenya and Senegal

Training Methodology

Interactive lectures with expert facilitators
Hands-on lab and field simulations
Case study analysis and group discussions
Role-playing for participatory breeding activities
Use of digital tools: modeling software, genetic databases
Action plan development and feedback sessions

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Skills & Software Covered

Climate-Resilient Varieties Crop Breeding Basics Variety Evaluation

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Oct 26 2026

26 Oct — 30 Oct 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000