Eric Magembe

I am a Biotechnologist at the International Potato Potato Center (CIP) using modern breeding tecghnologies for crop improvement

[CIP Rwanda @CipotatoRW]

The difference is becoming clearer every day! At 45 days after planting, biotech potato varieties are showing remarkable resistance to potato late blight compared to conventional varieties under the same field conditions. Promising step to resilient potato production.

[CIP Rwanda @CipotatoRW]

A milestone in our biotech journey: We completed an Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) audit of our biotech potato program with @RAB_Rwanda facilities, covering field trials, seed multiplication, biosafety compliance, traceability, containment, & responsible lifecycle mgt.

[International Potato Center @Cipotato]

At the @ILRI campus, Renaud Seligmann, Director at @WorldBank, engaged with CIP innovations shaping Africa’s food systems.

From biotech potato 🥔 to biofortification & stronger seed systems 🌱, partnerships are scaling solutions for nutrition, resilience, and farmer livelihoods.

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

Excited to welcome the first cohort of trainees from the @RwandaAgriBoard under the @RwandaBioCap BioCap Program! 🎉

For the next 3 months, they’ll gain hands-on experience in potato transformation at @Cipotato and banana gene editing at @IITA_CGIAR in Nairobi, kenya. 🔬🌱

[Rwanda Biotech Capacity Building @RwandaBioCap]

Day 2 Wrap-up: The @ScienceAlly_Rw Communication Induction Workshop united key Impl partners, including @RMC_Rwanda and @Musekeweya_Rw, to align comm priorities, co-develop Rwanda’s Biotechnology Comm Strategy, and gather insights for stronger outreach and public engagement.

[OFABKenya @OFABKenya]

The safety of the people is at the top of the priorities/agenda for researchers every time they step inside that lab, as agricultural biotechnology continues to create a pathway towards a food secure Africa, says Dr @ericmagembe of the @Cipotato.

[Annonciata BYUKUSENGE @AnnonciataB]

Happening now!
The government of 🇷🇼 in partnership with @Cipotato through the @RwandaAgriBoard launches the #BioCap project will support the #technology in the #agriculture sector in different programs:
- Plant and Microbial Biotechnology program:
*Generating and disseminating enhanced tools for high yield crops.
* Tissue culture laboratories have a mandate of research in tissue culture and mass production of clean planting materials.
Currently, @RwandaAgriBoard has full optimize tissues culture protocols of #Banana, #Cassava, #Coffee, #Irish and #Sweetpotato.
*Plant Pathology and molecular laboratory: Identification and characterization of plant pathologens.
The @olivikam PS at @RwandaAgri
Says that "this technology will fill the gap in seeds disseminating to the farmers, because it has capacity of producing enough seeds." No worries about safety and environment, because it standardized.
#Biotech
#GenesisEditing
#GMCrops @Agronomme_ @EmmyGisa3 @alexnyandwii @ShimoYvette @Pacifiquens @nduwath @@Gaetan @Gaetan NZ

[Citizen TV Kenya @citizentvkenya]

Kilimo Biashara:

Viazi vya kisaki kuwapunguzia wakulima gharama

Viazi hivyo vina uwezo wa kustahimili ugonjwa wa kuvu

KALRO yaendeleza upanzi wa viazi vya kisaki muguga

Kilimo hicho kuwaongezea wakulima mazao na mapato

#CitizenNipashe

[International Potato Center @Cipotato]

@Cipotato welcomed Dr. Dianah Horvath of @2blades to @kalromkulima biotech potato 🥔 project sites.

The visit highlighted progress in breeding late blight–resistant potatoes—critical to reducing farmer losses & strengthening climate-resilient food systems in Africa 🌍.

🔸 @CGIAR

[International Potato Center @Cipotato]

Dr. Eric Magembe represented @Cipotato at #ACAT2025 in Kigali, spotlighting CIP’s biotech potato 🥔 varieties that combat late blight and reduce pesticide use.

His work is helping scale climate-smart solutions for African smallholders and making potato farming more resilient and sustainable 🌱.

🔸 @aatfafrica

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

https://t.co/NRvZiz9kcY Impressive results from our biotech potato field trials at RAB Musanze, Rwanda! 🥔🌿
The late blight resistant varieties are showing complete resistance under field conditions—no fungicides, no disease. A game changer for farmers and food security.

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

🎥 Rooted in innovation, thriving through partnership! 🌱💡
From field to future, @Cipotato proud to stand with @RwandaAgri & @RwandaAgriBoard at #ACAT2025 — advancing agri-biotech for resilient food systems in Africa.
📍 Innovation in action
#AgTech #FoodSecurity

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

A major milestone! 🎉 We’ve signed a licensing agreement for the late blight resistant biotech potato by @Cipotato with @kalrokenya at the #CGIARScienceWeek. A big step for #biotech in Africa—toward food security, farmer resilience & tech transfer. 🔗https://t.co/707XdN9bal

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

Excited to speak at the #CGIARScienceWeek. I'll share insights from @Cipotato work on late blight resistant biotech potatoes & how partnerships are shaping Africa’s biotech future.

🔗 https://t.co/707XdN9bal
#Biotech #FoodSecurity #CIP #CGIAR #Africa #Agriculture

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

Excited to speak at #CGIARScienceweek Transformative Partnerships for Sustainable Development on unlocking agricultural biotech in Africa 🌱🤝
Partnerships are key to driving innovation, food security & sustainability.
🔗 https://t.co/IYCBmzcuYU
@Cipotato @CGIAR

[International Potato Center @Cipotato]

🔊 | @JRSimplotCompany visit to CIP Kenya

The discussions focused on strengthening Kenya’s potato sector through key areas of partnership, including the expansion of high-quality seed 🌱 potato production under the Global Biotech Potato Partnership, the evaluation of potential sites for a Simplot apical cutting lab, and the introduction and testing of processing potato 🥔 varieties for chips, crisps, and other value-added products.

Additionally, plans for variety testing trials were outlined to identify the most suitable varieties for Kenya’s local conditions and market needs. This engagement represents a significant step in advancing crop improvement, innovation, and sustainability within Kenya’s potato value chain.

[Biotech Potato @Biotechpotatoes]

Great read in NewScientist on the merits of genetic technology
https://t.co/AMTGfWOwm2

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

@WorldEdServices 3rd month and my evaluation is still in progress. All required documents sent
but nothing. I am so frustrated

[Biotech Potato @Biotechpotatoes]

Time to plant potatoes! @KMonjero @Kalromkulima High School youths learn how to plant potatoes in the school field @Fftpotatopjt happy to be a part of youth initiative in Kenya

[Eric Magembe @ericmagembe]

International Potato Center - CGIAR is hiring for Research Associate – Molecular Biology. Know more about the job opening here: https://t.co/UfRMRAJBgX #InternationalPotatoCenter-CGIAR via @International Potato Center - CGIAR