AI-Powered Global Partnership GAIN-RT Aims to Revolutionize Potato and Sweet Potato Breeding
A new international initiative named GAIN-RT (Genetic Acceleration through Artificial Intelligence for Root and Tuber Crops) has been launched to fast-track innovation in potato and sweet potato production, bridging the gap between laboratory research and farm-level application. The partnership brings together leading institutions such as the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) hosted by The James Hutton Institute, the International Potato Centre (CIP), and African partners including KALRO and Egerton University. With climate change, evolving pests, and emerging diseases outpacing traditional breeding methods, the initiative leverages advanced AI models to predict high-performing crop varieties under climate stress, identify durable disease resistance, and significantly shorten breeding timelines—critical for safeguarding food security in vulnerable regions like sub-Saharan Africa.
Beyond technological advances, GAIN-RT emphasizes capacity building by training scientists—particularly women and early-career researchers—in AI-driven breeding and gene editing. This focus ensures that innovation capacity is developed locally and sustained over time, strengthening national research systems. According to Professor Ingo Hein and CIP director general Simon Heck, the integration of AI with gene editing offers a transformative opportunity to develop more resilient crops, reduce risks for farmers, and support a sustainable agricultural future. Building on initial successes, the project is expected to expand to include sweet potatoes and other root crops, reinforcing its global impact on food systems.
