IITA News

Photo report on the Africa RISING Program Learning Event 2019

In more than a thousand words, this collection of elegant photos taken during the Africa RISING Program Learning Event, provides a summary of how the whole meeting unfolded. The event also featured field visits to Africa RISING activity sites in Malawi, which gave participants an opportunity to interact with farmers and get first-hand feedback on…

Missed the Africa RISING Learning Event 2019? You can access all the material here

We understand, that sometimes, it is not possible to keep up with all items and discussions at meetings. But you don’t need to worry. We have got you covered. Below is a list of links to where we have archived all the presentations, discussions, and photos from the Africa RISING Learning Event 2019 for your…

The five domains of sustainable intensification.

SI toolkit helps researchers assess the sustainability of their innovations

Five years ago, Africa RISING scientists were looking for better ways to measure and assess the sustainability of sustainable intensification measures. This work led to the development of a sustainable intensification assessment framework (SIAF) to help assess and measure an innovation’s performance in terms of its direct and indirect consequences within and across five critical domains: productivity, economic,…

Dr Nteranya Sanginga delivering his keynote address at the plenary session.

IITA celebrates innovation and gender balance during 2019 International Women’s Day

Over the past few decades, the global community has made a lot of effort to inspire and engage more women and girls in science. Similar efforts are ongoing to ensure gender balance and equal access in other professional and social situations. The International Women’s Day is a worldwide movement that gives center stage to these…

SUN project participant in her maize field.

Women’s achievements celebrated

The important role of women in agricultural production is a given, with research showing that women’s contribution to farm work is as high as between 60% and 90% of the total farm tasks performed. Despite the dominant and important role women play in agricultural production, they are hardly given any attention in the area of…

Brigitte Uwimana, IITA Scientist planting a sucker.

Interview with Brigitte Uwimana, Banana Molecular Breeder

Brigitte Uwimana is IITA Banana Molecular Breeder from Rwandan based in Uganda. In this interview, she shares some of her experiences working as a researcher. Q: As an upcoming young female scientist at IITA, did you always want to do science? A: Science has fascinated me for as long as I can remember. I always…

Dr Leena Tripathi, IITA Principal Scientist observing her crop yield.

One on one with Dr Leena Tripathi, IITA’s Biotech superstar!

Dr Leena Tripathi is Principal Scientist and Deputy Director for IITA Eastern Africa Hub based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also head of IITA’s Plant Transformation Research and, in this interview, reveals what makes her tick and her inspiration for being a scientist. Q: Tell us about how you were as a kid. A: (Laughing) I…

Mercy Diebiru Ojo, IITA Scientist obsesving SAH cassava ready for transplanting.

IITA: Championing the rise of a new generation of women in research

As an equal opportunity employer and champion of gender equality in the workplace, IITA has had a good number of accomplished female scientists and researchers over the years. They have paved the way for more women to engage in agricultural research. One of the younger scientists in IITA Ibadan is Cassava Seed System Assistant Specialist…

The founder of NEWDAY Afrika, Prince Bobo Tangabanga, talking to a secondary school student on the school farm.

IITA initiates STEP to encourage participation of school children in agribusiness

At the 2018 Africa Food Prize (AFP) ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga reiterated his commitment to invest in the future of Africa’s younger generation and emphasized the importance of raising the ambition of primary and secondary school students to guarantee a food- and nutrition-secure continent. With the $100,000 AFP prize…

Muacheia Acacio Groundnut farmer applying Aflasafe in Muriaze, Nampula Province, Northern Mozambique, during field efficacy trials conducted during the 2016/2017 cropping season.

Aflasafe registration gets approval in Mozambique

After almost five years developing and field-testing an innovative but simple way to control aflatoxin in groundnut and maize in Mozambique, Mozambique’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on 20 February approved the registration of two Aflasafe products. Aflasafe is a 100% natural solution to aflatoxin contamination. Each product is composed of four native-to-Mozambique, non-poisonous…