About 20 scientists from FENALCE learned how to use Fieldbookāsoftware for managing maize breeding activitiesāat CIMMYT-Colombia from 10-12 June 2009. FENALCE, Colombiaās National Federation of Cereal and Legume Breeders, has been one of CIMMYTās main partners for the past 20 years, and has supported the centerās research, capacity-building, and technology transfer activities. The course was set up to support the Federationās newly created maize improvement program.
CIMMYT technician NĆ©stor Romero presented the course material along with colleagues Alba LucĆa Arcos, breeder; and Luis Narro, senior scientist. Participants learned about inventory management, preparation of seed for international trials, taking data in the field and in the lab, and analysis and interpretation of experiment data. The course covered Fieldbook use for maize cultivation and participants practiced compiling field data and analyzing it with the program. CIMMYT-Colombia staff showed researchers a new printer for creating labels for station experimental plots and envelopes for seed shipments. Participants were also interested in a new machine that quickly and accurately counts seed.
Katherine GirĆ³n, technical director of FENALCE, coordinated the training which also marked Henry Vanegasā beginning as the federationās general manager. Our best wishes to Henry in his new position!
