CIMMYT Basic Wheat Improvement Course impacts lives after training
Mahammad Eldarov, a fellow CIMMYT Trainee, and Dr. Ravi Singh
Jamala Mursalova and Mahammad Eldarov of Azerbaijan are a dynamic duo if there ever was one. When they are not busy researching, writing, or in the field, the couple is constantly entangled in genetics.
They both participated in the annual Basic Wheat Improvement Course (BWIC) at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Obregon, Mexico. The primary goal of the program is to train plant breeders in the field. However, the relationships built during this 3-month course last far beyond the field.
The BWIC consists of 12 people from different countries on average. These intimate groups would run 3 hours of lectures and 4 hours of field activity per day. Each week, the group took trips to other CIMMYT centers and geographically interesting places, like nearby beaches.
Mursalova studied in Dr. Matthew Reynold’s research group in 2012. The group consisted of 4 trainees, including Mursalova. Focused on wheat physiology, Mursalova worked primarily with durum and spring wheat. She also learned how to utilize physiological tools like infrared thermometers, chlorophyll meters, and spectral radiometers.
Jamala Mursalova in the research plot
“This training course was a great beginning for my future career,” said Mursalova, “I gained a lot of precious information about wheat physiology, disease, and practical fieldwork. During this course, I met great scientists and made good friends from different countries.”
Eldarov studied in Dr. Ravi Singh’s research group. Starting in 2018, Eldarov participated in 4 different programs: bread wheat, durum wheat, wheat physiology, and hybrid wheat.
“Bread wheat is very important to our country,” said Eldarov, “in Azerbaijan, we cultivate mostly bread wheat. This course has taught me so many new methods of growing bread wheat.”
Eldarov encountered a common challenge among international trainees – the language barrier. “When I got to Mexico, the only Spanish words I knew were ‘Muchacha Bonita’, and now I know more than 150 words.”
The annual CIMMYT Field Day is a clear memory for Mahammad and Jamala, where they met with scientists and mentors from around the globe. “The CIMMYT training experience still plays an important role in our career and life. After the training course, we realized how blessed we are to have the opportunities we have, and this comes many responsibilities. It was a true honor to work with CIMMYT scientists who also participated in the training course at the Dr. Norman Borlaug Experimental Station. We will forever be grateful to FAO and CIMMYT for supporting our involvement.” said Eldarov and Mursalova.
Jamala Mursalova analyzing wheat
Today, Mursalova is doing research at Colorado State University as part of the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. Eldarov also joined research activities in the Soil and Crop Sciences Department as a visiting scientist. Both of them are participating in the wheat breeding and genetics research group under Dr. Scott Haley.
Mahammad and Jamala still keep in touch with scientists from CIMMYT and are busy doing molecular genetics, wheat breeding, and raising a son together.
Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram, 2014 World Food Prize Winner and Mahammad Eldarov