Facilities Upgrade

The repair costs for the rain shelter included re-roofing, restoration of wheel rails, and painting to ensure effective and efficient operation for drought stress–simulation trials, water stress breeding trials, and controlled soil fertility experiments across crops, as well as other controlled experimental needs.

The refurbishing of the glasshouse included replacing the broken glass, malfunctioning thermal and water control systems. The glasshouse had not been used for last 3years due to breakage and lack of replacement of broken parts, hence its refurbishing will enhance screening of germplasm, pathology studies, Early generation seed multiplication, population advancement from breeding of wheat, chickpea, maize, potatoes, pigeon peas etc for researchers, Postgraduate and under graduate research project work from Egerton University.

The BREEDTECH evaluation center consists of a refurbished greenhouse, 2 breeding cages, open field and an irrigation facility. The greenhouse upgrade included replacement of the torn polyethylene cover and partioning of the structure to accommodate multiple users. In addition, solar-powered exhaust fans and shade nets were installed to improve ventilation and temperature regulation.

General laboratory maintenance, was done including benches, walls, ceilings, and sinks, was carried out to support molecular, plant breeding, and crop protection research activities. In addition, essential chemicals and reagents were procured, enabling students to actively conduct their research. To enhance security, a new perimeter fence was installed around the facility.

The acquisitions at Laikipia University include a variety of equipment and resources aimed at enhancing the institution’s molecular and general laboratory capacities. Among the items procured are one greenhouse dedicated to acclimatization and the cultivation of plants, as well as the ongoing refurbishment of the rain shelter to provide a screen shade for raising plants under controlled sunlight, thereby improving water retention and environmental protection. The University purchased key molecular biology equipment, including a greenhouse, incubator with shaker, water bath, centrifuge, gel imaging system, vortex mixer, pipettes, and basic lab reagents.  The installed molecular equipment is now in use by undergraduate students studying molecular biology and genetics, and will be utilized by incoming MSc. Plant Pathology postgraduates in September 2025.

This center includes the Greenhouse and refurbished rain shelter which will support plant propagation, acclimatization, and controlled experiments, enabling year-round practical training and research. The screened shading will regulate sunlight exposure, improve water retention, and protect plants from harsh environmental conditions.

This equipment forms the backbone of hands-on molecular biology training and basic research activities. The other items include an incubator with a shaker, a water bath, and a refrigerated centrifuge. Additional equipment comprises a gel electrophoresis system, a gel imaging system, and a vortex mixer. The laboratory is also equipped with a 20 kg liquid nitrogen jar, pipettes with a volume range of 1–1000 µl, and racks for DNA and PCR tubes. These are pending delivery.

Laboratory consumables were also purchased to kick-start laboratory operations and ensure the facility remains fully functional and capable of delivering practical training. These included assorted PCR kits, as well as agarose gels and stains for routine molecular analyses and sample preparation.

Following Items have been proposed for purchase under the BREEDTECH project to equip the Biotechnology lab at Haramaya University. These include a Gel Imaging System, as the existing gel documentation system is outdated and malfunctioning, necessitating a new unit. The expansion of the Biotechnology lab and the establishment of a genetic engineering lab also require a dedicated laminar airflow system. To meet the storage needs for molecular reagents and cell cultures, a vertical refrigerator, currently unavailable in the lab, has been proposed. Additionally, high-configuration laptops are needed for researcher involved in computational work. The genetic engineering lab is to be further equipped with a thermocycler (PCR machine) for molecular activities, as well as a microcentrifuge, which is essential for working with DNA, RNA, and proteins. A separate -20°C refrigerator is also required for the new lab. Finally, mini and midi electrophoresis units are needed to support simultaneous research activities for multiple students in both the existing biotechnology lab and the new facility.

Oda Bultum University has proposed to purchase Seven-laboratory equipment’s planned on BREEDTECH Project. The materials were proposed to upgrade the facility of the plant science laboratory that can support postgraduate, undergraduate and research in the areas of Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology and Biotechnology related disciplines. As Oda Bultum University,  have been purchased some of the planned equipment such as Biological Safety (Laminar Flow Cabinet), Mini Centrifuge with 6 Slot Rotor – 6000 RPM, Laptops, Mini Portable Flake Ice Maker.

An-Najah Na:onal University has procured a complete suite of as part of the BREEDTECH initiative. This includes VR headsets (Meta Quest 3) and immersive VR soPware tailored to biotechnology and plant breeding simulations, interactive digital display panels, and networking infrastructure. The purpose of this equipment is to create an advanced VR lab to support education and research in plant breeding and biotechnology. The lab allows students to visualize and interact with complex biological and genetic concepts in a simulated environment, reducing reliance on physical lab resources. This immersive experience enhances comprehension and engagement while providing a safe, cost effective, and scalable method for training. The VR lab supports remote learning, promotes collaboration among consortium partners, and prepares students with digital competencies essential for future careers in agri-tech and biosciences.

With the VR lab fully installed and operational, the next phase focuses on expanding its integration into teaching, research, and cross-institutional collaboration under BREEDTECH. The lab will be embedded  into undergraduate and postgraduate courses in plant breeding, molecular biology, and biotechnology.

Planned uses include virtual simulations of gene editing, remote collaboration with partner universities, and capacity building workshops for faculty and students. It will also support thesis research and development of virtual training modules for regional use. The VR lab will play a central role in supporting innovative education and will help position An-Najah Na:onal University as a leader in applying immersive technologies in agricultural sciences.

Al-Quds Open University (QOU) has identified the need for equipment such as a gel electrophoresis apparatus, nano-spectrophotometer, water distillation system, liquid nitrogen jar, reagents, chemicals, and other instruments to primarily support the research activities of its researchers and thesis students. These resources will enhance the capacity of QOU researchers in molecular breeding and biotechnology. Additionally, equipment like a grain seed thresher and seed counter will bolster ongoing classical breeding research. All items will be accessible for educational purposes, enabling students to conduct small-scale experiments in the laboratory. Some students will also have the opportunity to undertake research thesis projects using these facilities. As a result, the research and educational capacities of students, researchers, and faculty members will be significantly strengthened.

The equipment will be integrated into the educational process for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Agriculture. These resources will support practical sessions across various courses, including genetics and principles of plant breeding. Additionally, students will have the Opportunity to conduct thesis research in molecular genetics, breeding, or molecular breeding—Opportunities that were not previously available. Furthermore, the equipment will be accessible to QOU researchers, significantly enhancing research quality and enabling advanced studies in molecular genetics and breeding.