Training and education will remain the basis of our capacity building efforts in plant genetic resources in sub-Saharan Africa. The primary objective here is to assist countries in SSA to develop the knowledge and skills to assess and meet their needs of the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. Through training, particular skills are imparted to stakeholders involved in PGR conservation and use. This is done through on the job training and through the organization of various targeted training courses. Education, in the context of this programme, refers to the strengthening of capacities in universities and other educational establishments, and their facilitation to offer PGR relevant courses in the institutions.

To achieve this, due emphasis is placed on strengthening PGR programmes in universities and colleges, by engaging in activities geared towards curriculum development, training materials development, training of trainers (teaching staff), and institution of staff exchange programs. In addition, group training will be organized both as in country and regional activities. Our emphasis will be to support and facilitate national efforts at organization of training courses in PGR. IPGRI in SSA will also support regional courses in particular technical areas; emphasis in such courses will be given to training of trainers. Specific elements in group training will include identification of training needs for national programmes, development of training curriculum, develop training materials, and training of trainers. Last but not least, efforts will be made to build a collection of national programme scientists in the area of genetic resources conservation and management is a pre-requisite for effective national programmes in PGR conservation. This is an area of capacity building that will remain as priority in IPGRI SSA. Elements of this will include (i) Managing fellowships for degree-related training (BSc., MSc., PhD) and (ii) Staff attachments and Honorary Fellowships.

Our operational strategy in training and education focuses on establishing criteria for partnership with universities, establishing evaluation criteria for various sub-components of training, identifying and working with focal institutions at the national / regional level, working through existing networks, supporting staff mobilization and exchange, keeping up with appropriate technologies through strengthening linkages between research and education institutions. 

 A number of models are available for training and capacity building namely:

Graduate level training and 

Region-based training