August 2019 - Page 2 of 3

IITA yam breeders trained on Yamcross, a mobile application for data management

From 5 to 9 August, IITA yam breeders were trained on the use of Yamcross, a mobile application for data management in yam breeding. The application manages the activities of seed and tubers in yam breeding programs. The training was held in IITA Ibadan and was facilitated by Margaret Karanja, Research Assistant and Associate at…

IITA participates in 2019 National Micronutrient Conference

IITA participated in a two-day National Micronutrient Conference organized by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in Abuja. The conference took place on 1–2 August and aimed to create an interface and generate discussions among multiple stakeholders representing different sectors on leveraging strengths to scale up micronutrient interventions within the country and contribute to…

Scientists call for new Striga-resistant and drought-tolerant genes in bi-parental maize populations

R4D Special Scientists say that genomic selection is effective for yield improvement in bi-parental maize populations infested by Striga and drought. This conclusion was made in a study titled “Yield gains and associated changes in an early yellow bi-parental maize population following genomic selection for Striga resistance and drought tolerance.” The study was carried out…

A double-digit investment in the agricultural sector is needed to transform agriculture, Dr. Sanginga says

A double-digit investment in the agricultural backed by a vibrant rural infrastructural network will help states in Nigeria to accelerate the transformation of agriculture, says Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, Director General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). “No matter our good intentions, we cannot see a transformation in agriculture if we continue to invest…

External evaluation commends IITA’s efforts in transforming agriculture

In a bid to position IITA strategically for the future, the IITA Board of Trustees commissioned an institute-wide external evaluation as part of efforts to achieve the goal of transforming African agriculture. The Center-Commissioned External Review (CCER) is part of a long-term plan to provide the Institute and its collaborators with indicators of areas to…

“STEP” identifies school for training in agribusiness

Fasola Grammar School (FGS) in Oyo, Oyo State, has been identified as a training center for the Start Them Early Program (STEP). The program, which is designed with the objective of erasing the bad perception about agriculture among secondary school students, aims to raise a generation of young leaders with education in agribusiness. IITA Director…

Sasakawa Global 2000 appreciates collaboration with IITA

“Sasakawa Global 2000 (SG 2000) recognizes the relevance and importance of IITA to its extension service delivery and appreciates the continued positive partnership with IITA.” A senior management team of Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) stated this on 5 July, during a visit to the IITA Kano Station in Northern Nigeria. Mr Osaka Katsuhiro, Senior Executive…

R4D Special: Scientists discover factors influencing FAW damage in African maize fields in Eastern Zimbabwe

Since the presence of the fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) was reported in Central and Western Africa in early 2016, and later in most of sub-Saharan Africa, it has become a serious threat to food security in the region. Although the immediate reaction of governments was to invest in chemical pesticides and their…

Radio IITA launched

More than a thousand listeners tuned in to the Radio IITA launch and Communication Open House held yesterday at the IITA Conference Center. The launch program featured a live talk show called “Good morning, IITA!” during which the IITA Director General Nteranya Sanginga and Director of Development and Delivery, Dr Alfred Dixon were interviewed. Sanginga…

World Bank to work with IITA in DRC

On 8 August, World Bank Country Director in Africa, Dr Jean-Christophe Carret, embarked on a successful tour of the IITA Kalambo Station in the Democratic Republic of Congo. IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, accompanied Dr Carret as he was given an overview of IITA’s work on the African continent in general and DRC in…