April 2016 - Page 3 of 4

Picture of TAAT is focused on ensuring that Africa ia able to feed itself through agricultural transformation

International and national partners convene to discuss AfDB’s initiative to transform African agriculture

More than 200 research and development partners and experts will meet at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, in a three-day workshop to discuss a new initiative known as “Africa Feeding Africa”, or the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program. The TAAT program is a critical strategy for transforming agriculture on the continent that would ensure that…

Picture of Cassava breeders in East Africa hub.

IITA cassava breeders mull new strategy to step up efforts and embrace technology for quicker delivery

All the IITA cassava breeders convened at the Institute’s Eastern Africa hub in Dar es Salaam to develop a strategy to guide and shape IITA’s efforts to develop improved cassava varieties suited to mechanized production that are high yielding and resistant to the major diseases and pests affecting the crop’s production in sub-Saharan Africa in…

Picture of Youth Agripreneurs undergo training in agribusiness management in IITA

IITA, Ekimiks conduct training on Agripreneurial and Business Management

The 2nd phase of the Agripreneurial and Business Management in Agribusiness training workshop was held from 29 March to 2 April, for the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA). The training, tagged “Developing Strategic Skills in Agribusiness,” was sponsored by Ekimiks Nigeria Limited, in collaboration with IITA and LA Consult. The workshop, held at the Conference Center,…

Picture of From left to right: Drs Ntawuruhunga, Chikoye, and Chigeza having a hearty laugh in front of the main science and admin block.

IITA-Zambia moves to new home

The 11th of March marks a major milestone in the history of IITA-Zambia as the day that the institute’s regional headquarters for southern Africa is finally “home” – moving to its new, permanent research and administration facility in Kabangwe, Chongwe District in Lusaka Province, some 15 km north of downtown Lusaka City. The facility is…

Picture of Women farmers benefit from legume production and technologies.

Legumes change fortunes of farmers and empower women in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

While it is the number one cash crop for most farmers in Tanzania, maize is getting a serious run for its money from legumes such as beans, groundnut, and soybean which are becoming commercial crops in the cool and hilly terrain of the Southern Highlands. In addition, legumes are also good for tackling malnutrition and…

Project helps farmers gain access to markets and agroinputs, and women get into business

In northern Nigeria, a project is helping legume farmers gain access to markets and a more sustained supply of agroinputs. The Putting Nitrogen Fixation to Work for Smallholder Farmers in Africa (N2Africa) Project is providing these farmers and value chain actors with technologies and options that they can use to improve productivity and ensure the…

Picture of Baijukya giving a briefing on the long-term trials

What are the long-term effects of fertilizers and inoculants? N2Africa project tries to find out

“We are asking farmers to use inoculants and fertilizers while growing their soybean. We know some of the applied nutrients such as P and K remain in the soil as not all is taken up by the crop. We also ask farmers to rotate soybean and other crops such as maize and they also use…

Picture of Borno youth undergo training.

Borno State Youth Agripreneurs get start-up grant

Following the workshops organized by the IITA Youth Agripreneurs for 40 youth in Borno State in September 2014 and 2015, N2Africa has approved grants for the trained Agripreneurs to kick-start their agribusiness enterprises. After selecting 20 potential agribusinesses from the identified crops, the youth chose the following: production and marketing for soybean, cowpea, and groundnut;…

Picture of IITA’s Alfred Dixon (in hat) briefing the CATAS delegation from China.

China seeks to deepen relations with Africa in agricultural development

China has stepped up efforts to deepen collaboration with Africa in the area of agricultural development with the exploration of cooperation with IITA. China’s Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), the agency that is promoting the collaboration with IITA, sees the partnership as a win-win situation for both China and Africa, as the latter seeks…

Picture of David Chikoye (right) briefing Chiji Ojukwu (AfDB) as they walk around the SARAH campus.

AfDB delegation visits new IITA-Zambia research facility

On 11 March, a delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) led by Dr Chiji Ojukwu, Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, conducted a site visit to IITA-Zambia’s new regional hub office and research facility at its Southern Africa Research and Administration Hub (SARAH) campus in Kabangwe, Chongwe District in Lusaka Province, some 15 km north…