Ms Isata Kamanda, a final year PhD in Plant Breeding student of the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), has been selected as a West African Research Association scholar under the Ideas Matter Fellowship. The Fellowship which focuses on women, technology and entrepreneurship, awards its scholars with a grant of $4,000.00 to support research work undertaken in their respective home countries.
Her proposal titled, “Involving women in participatory selection of biofortified cassava germplasm in Sierra Leone” emerged as one of the top three after a rigorous selection process. The grant will be used to fund Miss Kamanda’s research work on biofortified3 cassava with good nutritional background after her graduation.
Ms Issata in her research field
According to her, WACCI has played a great role in shaping and equipping her with the relevant skills for her workplace. Ms. Kamanda is currently stationed at the Department of Crop Improvement, Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute where she is responsible for developing bio-fortified cassava varieties. Miss Kamanda intends to use her research findings to enhance the nutritional efficiency and economic development of cassava in her country.
WACCI congratulates Ms Isata Kamanda on her award.