CIRAD is hosting training for two Ugandan PhD candidates, Mildred Julian Nakanwagi and Ali Mitlon, from Makerere University and the National Coffee Research Institute. The training, running from November 4 to December 15, 2024, focuses on genetic diversity research for Robusta coffee, addressing global agriculture challenges like pests, diseases, and drought.
Mildred’s training, supervised by Dr. Valerie Poncet at IRD, focuses on “Population Structure and Diversity: How to Make Sense of Single Nuclear Polymorphisms.” She will learn techniques to analyze genetic variability within populations, enhancing her ability to assess genetic diversity in various coffee genotypes.
Ali’s training, under Dr. Boris Delahaie, concentrates on “Genetic Analysis of Coffea Canephora for Drought Tolerance.” He will explore genetic traits linked to drought resistance, with potential long-term benefits for Uganda’s coffee industry.
Both candidates aim to contribute valuable insights into biodiversity, conservation, and sustainable agriculture, supporting efforts to improve climate resilience in coffee production.