Dr John Derera
Honorary Associate Professor
- +27 83 954 3616
- dereraj@gmail.com
- PhD (Plant Breeding, University of KwaZulu-Natal), M.Phil (Plant Breeding & Entomology), BSc Agric Hons (Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe), Diploma in Marketing (LCCI) MBA
- Plant Breeding & African Centre for Crop Improvement
- Pietermaritzburg Campus
Heading of Breeding at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. A specialist in plant breeding, quantitative & biometrical genetics. He inspires development through leadership Plant Breeding, Food Security & Capacity Building. Published many papers and graduated many PhD & MSc students. Formerly Global Head of R&D at Seed Co Group. Served on many boards including Science & Impact Executive Board of the International Wheat Yield Partnership. Makerere University Regional Centre for Crop Improvement, African Plant Breeders Association, Soybean Innovation Lab, AGRA’S Improved MSc for Cultivar Development, Seed Co’s Business Units & Executive Committee.
Research interests
- Breeding for stress tolerance including foliar disease resistance and drought tolerance
- Maize and popcorn germplasm development and enhancement
- Breeding for Vitamin A in maize
- Breeding for Aflatoxin resistance in maize
- Plant breeding process improvement and seed systems