Addis Ababa, September 29, 2026 (Ministry of Agriculture): The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), in collaboration with CIMMYT, successfully hosted an international wheat pathology training workshop in Addis Ababa under the theme โUnderstanding and Managing Wheat Diseases.โ
The program brought together 35 early- and mid-career wheat researchers from Africa and South Asia, including plant pathologists, wheat breeders, molecular breeders, national wheat program scientists, and graduate students.
The training focused on strengthening technical expertise in identifying, phenotyping, managing, and breeding for resistance against major wheat diseases, including Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), Septoria Tritici Blotch (STB), wheat blast, and rust diseases. It also promoted knowledge exchange, South-South collaboration, and hands-on learning through Ethiopiaโs advanced disease screening, laboratory, breeding, and field research platforms.
In his welcome remarks, Adefris Teklewold (PhD), CIMMYT-Ethiopia Representative, emphasized the importance of strengthening national research systems and building networks that will foster future scientific collaboration and innovation.
Representing the Director General of EIAR, Chilot Yirga (PhD), Deputy Director General, highlighted wheatโs critical role in food security, livelihoods, and agricultural development across Africa and South Asia. He noted Ethiopiaโs remarkable progress in expanding wheat production through strong research support and enabling agricultural policies.
Opening the event on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture Ethiopia, Mr. Yalew Mazengya, Advisor to the Minister, described the workshop as more than a training program, calling it a vital platform for knowledge exchange and collective action toward improving wheat production, food security, and sustainable agricultural systems.
The training combined expert lectures, laboratory practicals, field demonstrations, interactive discussions, group exercises, networking sessions, and visits to national research facilities. Participants also explored innovations in plant breeding modernization, disease diagnostics, and emerging technologies supporting wheat research
This initiative marks another important step toward strengthening regional and international partnerships, building scientific capacity, and enhancing wheat productivity and food security across Ethiopia, Africa, and South Asia.
