Testimonial
Principles of Plant Breeding participant German Chaves Mendez
This program provides essential knowledge for plant breeders at all levels. It gives you the foundation, practical tools, and confidence to excel in the field.
German Chaves, an agronomist from Costa Rica, works at PanAmerican Seed, specializing in ornamental plant breeding. With no formal plant breeding programs available in Costa Rica, he sought a way to deepen his scientific understanding of the field.
The Principles of Plant Breeding course at Wageningen University & Research (WUR) provided the perfect opportunity to enhance his knowledge and refine his decision-making process.
Before the course, German made breeding decisions based on experience but often lacked the scientific rationale behind them. Engaging in discussions with plant breeders with strong academic backgrounds was challenging due to the technical language and theoretical concepts they used.
"You know the crop, and you make decisions based on intuition. But without the scientific foundation, you're missing the reasoning behind those choices. This course helped me bridge that gap."
One of the most valuable aspects of the course was the opportunity to interact directly with professors from Wageningen University & Research, the world’s leading agricultural university. Being able to ask questions, discuss real-world applications, and gain insights from top experts in the field made the learning experience much more engaging and practical.
Through the training, German gained a structured approach to plant breeding. He learned how to evaluate different breeding methods, select the most suitable approach for his crops, and apply scientific principles to hybrid selection.
"For example, I now understand why mass selection is a better fit for my crops than bulk selection. That’s a decision I can now justify with confidence."
Beyond technical skills, the course boosted his professional confidence. With a recognized certificate from the world’s leading agricultural university, German now engages in technical discussions with greater authority, strengthening his career prospects.