International Research

Current International Projects:

MSU GLOBAL BIOTECH POTATO PARTNERSHIP

Solving the Greatest Potato Challenge

A 200-year-old Problem - Answered

The Global Biotech Potato Partnership has developed late blight-resistant potato varieties through genetic engineering, transferring resistance genes from wild potato relatives into popular varieties in developing countries worldwide.

90% fungicide reduction
Reduced input costs
Reduced crop losses
Reduced exposure to fungicides
Higher yield
Improved livelihood

About: The Global Biotech Potato Partnership (GBPP), lead by MSU, was established in 2021. This combined previous USAID funded efforts by MSU and the International Potato Center (CIP). The goal of GBPP involves completing biosafety and regulatory requirements necessary for the deployment of our previously researched and developed 1^st generation potato varieties. Genetic engineering was used to transfer three resistance (3R) genes from wild potato species into potato varieties in high demand in our developing partner countries. Another goal involves the research and development of 2^nd generation multi-disease (late blight and virus) resistant potatoes. The partnership offers scientific, biosafety and regulatory capacity building within our developing country partner institutes and governmental agencies. Biotech potatoes will make direct impact by improving the lives of smallholder farmers and their communities, providing food security and resilience to climate change, greatly reducing pesticide/chemical use, and building enabling markets through biosafety regulatory capacity for greater acceptance of biotech crops.

Funding: The GBPP and previous MSU/CIP efforts were fully funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Due to government restructuring and the unexpected dismantling of USAID, the project was terminated abruptly in early 2025. This was a devastating loss for our GBPP team and our many trusted international partners. The GBPP is currently seeking funding sources interested in immediate global impact.

GBPP Current Collaborations:

Rwanda: In Rwanda, late blight can cause up to 75% of yield loss if not chemically controlled. Over US$ 5 million in net benefits is expected to be generated annually for the 3R-gene LBR potato. Thousands of small shareholder farmers, along with their families and communities will be lifted out of poverty. In partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), a general release deployment of two GBPP 3R-gene potato varieties will undergo general release and deployment starting Oct. 2026.

Kenya. Potato supports around 3.5 million actors along the value chain in Kenya. Yet average yields have fallen by about 51% since 2005, with late blight accounting for an estimated 23% of production losses. 3R-gene LBR is projected to generate US$ 8.2 million in net benefits annually. In partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), two varieties are currently undergoing National Performance Trials for variety registration in Kenya and recently AATF, CIP and GBPP launched a new effort “LBR Potato: A Global North-South Demonstration for Low Chemical Agriculture Using New Genomic Techniques”.

Nigeria: Potato yields in Nigeria remain among the lowest globally at under 4 tons per hectare compared to a global average in developed countries of 35-45 tons per hectare. The 3R-gene LBR potato offers a way to mitigate yield losses and provides yield stability and reduces fungicide dependency. In Nigeria, regulatory dossiers for three varieties area currently under review by biosafety authorities. Funding is urgently needed for farmer participatory trial, general release and deployment. The MSU Potato Program and MSU AgBioResearch are funding a 2^nd generation field trial for 2027.

Indonesia: Late blight in Indonesia can cause yield losses of up to 84% with farmers spraying fungicides 20-30 times per 100-day cropping cycle. 3R-gene LBR potato is expected to generate annual net benefits of over US$ 17 million annually for the country. The regulatory dossier is completed and will be submitted soon. Funding is urgently needed for farmer participatory trials, general release, and deployment.

Bangladesh: Potato is the second most important food crop in Bangladesh after rice. Late blight is a major constraint for the estimated 2 million smallholder farmers that grow potatoes. The high cost of pesticide inputs, unstable yields and storage constraints all contribute to low yields/acre. The 3R-gene LBR potato will reduce input costs, increase yield/acre and improve the lives of many of those farmers. Regulatory dossier for the 3R-Gene potato has been completed and awaiting submission. Funding is urgently needed for farmer participatory trials, general release, and deployment.