Plant Health Archives - Page 12 of 15

MEDA, IITA, and Agriculture Ministry to build an economically sustainable seed system for cassava in Tanzania

Cassava farmers and processors in Tanzania have another reason to smile as a new project to address one of their major challenges―the lack of access to clean planting material of new improved, disease-resistant varieties―is launched.

Picture of different varieties of banana abound.

IITA scientists debunk misconceptions about imminent global banana shortage

In an article entitled “Why we should all get off the banana shortage bandwagon” published in the Adjacent Open Access journal of 9 February, IITA researchers Rony Swennen and James Legg said the recent reports of an imminent global banana shortage are overblown and self-serving. According to the report, Panama disease may be a threat…

Picture of The regional commissioner (wearing cream colored pants) visiting project partners in Tanzania.

Kigoma Regional Commissioner applauds SARD-SC project for improved cassava productivity

The newly appointed executives of Tanzanian Kigoma region, Brigadier General Emmanuel Maganga and Charles Pallangyo, visited one of the SARD-SC project sites in the Kibondo. About 105 officials from five districts of Kigoma Region were on the entourage of the executives who visited the Kibondo Big Power Group—a cassava farmers and processors’ group involved in…

Picture of Chikoye breaking ground at the future site of the maize seed storage and warehouse facility at SARAH campus as IITA staff and construction representatives look on.

IITA-Zambia to get new modern maize seed storage facility

On 6 February, IITA-Zambia formally signed a contract with a local construction firm for the establishment of a modern maize seed storage and warehouse facility within the IITA Southern Africa Research and Administration (SARAH) campus in Kabangwe, Zambia, in the next 3 months. The construction of the facility is being funded by the African Development…

Controlling the twin viral cassava diseases in East Africa through breeding—major victories, but fight is far from over

Cassava farmers in Eastern Africa have been watching in despair as two viral diseases―cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD)―ravage their valuable crop. Edward Kanju, IITA cassava breeder based in Tanzania, has spent the last 11 years at the Institute leading regional efforts to develop improved cassava varieties with tolerance or resistance…

IITA moves to commercialize and disseminate aflatoxin biocontrol products to Africa’s farmers

…flags off project to ensure aflasafe products reach farmers’ hands. African farmers will soon have a product that would ensure safer food for their families and communities. A natural product called aflasafe that can reduce contamination from aflatoxin, a silent killer, would soon be made available in at least 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Following…

Picture of Dr Ranajit Bandyopadhyay addresses participants at the aTTC project launch in IITA, Ibadan.

aTTC project set to multiply yields and income of smallholder farmers

Triple yields with a better income await maize and groundnut smallholder farmers, thanks to a project—aflasafe Technology Transfer and Commercialization (aTTC)—that will facilitate farmers’ access to aflasafeTM, an innovative solution for the control of aflatoxin. The aTTC project was launched at IITA, Ibadan, on 1 December to create awareness about the technology, and look for…

Picture of a wild banana used in the IITA banana breeding program

IITA scientists cited for their work on battling pests and diseases to save the banana

Two IITA scientists have been cited for their work in helping to eradicate the tropical race 4 disease (TR4) that threatens to destroy the Cavendish banana and the multibillion dollar industry associated with it. In an article entitled Can the Banana be Saved published by the NOVANEXT journal on 3 November, IITA scientists Rony Swennen…

Plant Production and Health Management team review project

Scientists from all IITA hubs working on Plant Production and Health Management (PPHM) convened at IITA Ibadan, for a 3-day Implementation Review Workshop, 16-18 November.

Picture of participants at the high table

aflasafe KE01TM launched in Kenya; private sector asked to invest in the technology

Good news for maize farmers in Kenya and indeed Africa! The biocontrol product aflasafe KE01™, an innovative, safe, and effective technology for controlling aflatoxin contamination, was launched on 4 October at a ceremony at the Kenyan Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO). aflasafe KE01TM has proven effective in reducing aflatoxin contamination by 70–80% in trials…