Technical Advisor
Dr. Kwabena Darkwa
PhD Plant Breeding (Pan-African University, University of Ibadan) · MSc Plant Science – Breeding (Hawassa University)
Research Scientist and Yam Breeder at CSIR–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, with expertise in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, genomics, seed systems and agronomic research.
Profile
About Dr. Kwabena Darkwa
Dr. Kwabena Darkwa is a Research Scientist and Yam Breeder at the CSIR–Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI), Ghana, with expertise in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, genomics, seed systems, and agronomic research. He holds a PhD in Plant Breeding from the Pan-African University, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and an MSc in Plant Science (Breeding) from Hawassa University, Ethiopia.
His research focuses on the development of productive, climate-resilient, and farmer-preferred yam varieties, with particular interests in genetic diversity, genomic prediction, genotype-by-environment interaction and quantitative trait analysis. He also works on translating breeding outputs into practical seed and production systems through collaboration with farmers, seed enterprises, research institutions, and development partners.
Dr. Darkwa has served as Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator on several collaborative research initiatives, including projects supported through PROSSIVA, JIRCAS, and RTB Breeding at CSIR-SARI. His work has contributed to varietal development, seed yam production technologies and capacity building.
In addition to his research role, he serves as Technical Advisor to AC Research Services, AgroQuoroum Limited, Logic Scientific Enterprise, and Darkwa Logic Trading Enterprise, where he provides technical guidance in agricultural research, crop production, seed systems, agribusiness development, and related scientific services.
He has authored and co-authored many peer-reviewed publications in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and crop production, with particular emphasis on yam and other important African food crops. He is also actively involved in scientific training, stakeholder engagement, and regional collaborations aimed at accelerating the delivery of research innovations to farmers and agricultural value-chain actors.
Education
- PhD Plant Breeding — Pan-African University, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
- MSc Plant Science (Breeding) — Hawassa University (Ethiopia)
Research leadership
- Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator on collaborative initiatives supported through PROSSIVA, JIRCAS and RTB Breeding at CSIR-SARI
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