IITA News

IITA scientist joins advisory panel of Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development

IITA’s Director for Eastern Africa Hub and leader for Biotechnology research, Leena Tripathi, has been selected to be part of the External Advisory Panel of the newly launched Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development (NISD), UK. NISD is a world-leading institute that fosters sustainable development through transdisciplinary research and innovation. It is a partnership of leading…

NextGen Cassava project develops new gari product for consumers in Benue, Imo, and Osun states

Traditionally, the cassava mash used for gari production in Nigeria is left to ferment between 48 and 96 hours, depending on its quality. Thus, there is high variability in the sensory attributes and consumer acceptability of the gari Additionally, the fermentation process takes longer in some communities where highly sour gari is preferred, reducing the…

Young Africa Works-IITA Project trains over a thousand youth in three centers across Nigeria

The Young Africa Works-IITA Project has concluded the first cohort of its training program, which commenced on 1 February in Lagos, Kaduna, and Kano states. The six-week training program targeted young people between 18 and 35 years. It introduced the participants to agribusiness through classroom training, practical sessions, excursions to successful agribusiness firms, mentorship, sharing…

TAAT Cassava Compact: Rebranding the cassava value chain in the Central Africa Republic

IITA, through the TAAT Cassava Compact, in partnership with The Savannah-based Agricultural Value Chains Development Support Project (PADECAS), has launched an initiative to strengthen the technical and organizational capacities of seed multiplier farmers and seed companies in the Central African Republic (CAR). The Project, funded by the Central African Republic government through a grant from…

BASICS-II kicks off partnership to promote improved cassava varieties cultivation and consumption

SANO Foods Limited and IITA, through the Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) project, have embarked on a public-private sector partnership to promote the cultivation of improved cassava varieties and the consumption of locally processed products in Nigeria. The initiative recently kicked off with a “Joint public exhibition of fortified…

Nigeria’s broadcast body assures IITA of continued support

The Acting Director-General Armstrong Idachaba of Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has assured IITA of continued support and collaboration. He said this as he received a delegation from the Institute led by IITA Abuja Station Head, Gbassey Tarawali. In his welcome address, the Acting DG acknowledged that IITA is a well-funded and organized international institute…

Sensitizing Nigerian youth on the opportunities in agribusiness

ENABLE-TAAT is conducting sensitization programs at 11 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camps in Nigeria. The aim is to help graduate youth see and experience more significant agriculture opportunities that can generate income and develop the skills they need to succeed in this sector. ENABLE-TAAT is an arm of IITA’s Youth-in-Agribusiness office (IYA) and…

Achieving Zero Hunger: New project to transform agriculture in Nigeria and Togo

To facilitate agricultural solutions to overcome hunger and poverty in Nigeria and Togo, IITA, in partnership with AfricaRice, is implementing the “Agricultural transformation in Nigerian federal states and Togolese regions towards achieving Zero Hunger” project. The 3-year project will contribute to the zero hunger initiatives within the rice and cassava value chains in both countries….

Women in leadership: Promoting an equal future

The month of March hosts several gender-based celebrations, including International Women’s Day (IWD). IITA is a gender-inclusive Institute that sees gender equality as very important in improving livelihoods in society and creating an enabling work environment for staff. Knowing that achieving this goal is improbable in unequal, marginalized, and vulnerable groups, IITA developed a policy…

CGIAR promotes enabling environment that empowers women scientists

Women scientists represent 29% of CGIAR’s workforce. These scientists, including women researchers from IITA, play an indispensable role at the forefront of CGIAR’s mission to deliver science and innovation that advance the transformation of food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Despite the significant role women play in powering innovation, they still require…