Global Partnership Launches AI Project To Accelerate Development Of Climate-Resilient Potato And Sweetpotato Varieties

A global partnership has launched a new international research initiative, GAIN-RT (Genetic Acceleration through Artificial Intelligence for Root and Tuber Crops), to accelerate the delivery of improved crop varieties to farmers facing climate change, pests, and disease pressure.

The initiative unites the International Potato Center (CIP), The James Hutton Institute (JHI) in the UK, and key African partners, including the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and Egerton University. By combining world-leading expertise in crop breeding, artificial intelligence, and field-based research, the partnership aims to accelerate innovation from lab to farm.

A race against a changing climate
Climate change, evolving pests, and emerging diseases advance faster than conventional crop breeding can keep up. This growing gap threatens farmer livelihoods, food security, and nutrition, especially in vulnerable regions such as sub-Saharan Africa.

GAIN-RT works to close that gap.
“Breeding has traditionally taken many years to deliver improved varieties,” said CIP Director General Simon Heck. “But climate change and pests do not wait. They evolve rapidly. Artificial intelligence gives us the tools to catch up, helping breeders identify better varieties faster and reduce the risks farmers face.”

Using AI to speed up solutions for farmers
The initiative will use advanced AI models to predict which crop varieties will perform best under climate stress, identify stronger, more durable disease resistance, and improve breeding efficiency while reducing development timelines. By unlocking insights from large genomic, environmental, and field datasets, AI can significantly shorten the time required to develop and release improved varieties, ensuring farmers have access to better crops sooner.

The strength of GAIN-RT lies in its integrated partnership. CIP brings global leadership in potato and sweetpotato breeding along with strong links to farmers and national programs. JHI contributes cutting-edge expertise in artificial intelligence, genomics, and plant science. KALRO and Egerton University provide critical regional knowledge, field validation, and pathways for adoption in Africa. Together, these partners combine scientific innovation, real-world testing, and local delivery systems, increasing the likelihood that research results translate into tangible benefits for farmers.

Beyond technology, the initiative will invest in training scientists, particularly women and early-career researchers, in AI-driven breeding. This will help ensure that innovation capacity is built locally and sustained over time, strengthening national research systems and enabling long-term impact.

Initially focused on potato, the project aims to speed up climate-resilient varieties, boost yields and reliability for smallholders, reduce chemical use through stronger resistance, and enhance food and nutrition security. Building on the success of this first phase, sweetpotato and other crops will follow.

“By combining AI with strong partnerships and local expertise, we can accelerate the delivery of better crops to the farmers who need them most,” said Hannele Lindqvist-Kreuze, GAIN-RT principal investigator from CIP.

“This collaboration harnesses the potential of AI and emerging technologies to help accelerate the development of more resilient potatoes and other strategically important crops, supporting a more sustainable future and strengthening food security,” said Ingo Hein, GAIN-RT principal investigator from The James Hutton Institute.

This project was commissioned by the UK-CGIAR Centre, an initiative created to strengthen ties between UK science institutes, CGIAR, and local partners by forming impact-focused partnerships. CABI serves as the Centre’s secretariat.

This project is funded by UK International Development.

About The International Potato Center (CIP)
The International Potato Center (CIP), a CGIAR research center, develops and delivers science-based solutions that harness the potential of potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. CIP works with partners globally, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices, climate resilience, and inclusive innovation to benefit smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.

About The James Hutton Institute
The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific organisation integrating a distinctive range of strengths in land, crop, waters, environmental and socio-economic science. It undertakes research for customers including the Scottish and UK Governments, the EU and other organisations worldwide. The institute has a staff of nearly 500 and 100 PhD students.

The Institute takes its name from the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment scientist, James Hutton, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern geology, climate scientist and an agricultural innovator. For more information, visit www.hutton.ac.uk.