The Seminar on Innovated Breeding Technology in Cassava, organized by CCARS, was held in Xingyi, Guizhou province from Sept. 28 to 29, 2016. The workshop focused on theissues faced byconventional breeding and molecular breeding and provided a platformfor progress reports and discussion of various technologies. Invited experts from the International Center for tropical agriculture (CIAT), CCARS scientists and core members, andother cassava researchers over a total of more than 80 representatives attended the event. On behalf of SCCB team, Prof. Peng Zhang gave an oral presentation entitled “Targeted genetic improvementin cassava using genetic engineering”. During the workshop, delegates also visitedthe National Cassava Germplasm Repository (Guizhou) Backup Base and facilitates for inbred line breeding. Due to the special geographic environment, cassava flowers well in the region, which is suitable for cassava cross breeding.

After the workshop, Peng also invited the CIAT cassava breeders Luis Augusto Becerra and Hernan Ceballos to visit SCCB for bilateral collaboration.