IITA News

Team of IITA BoT members embark on IITA Rwanda visit

On 9 October, the IITA Board Chair, Dr Amos Namanga Ngongi, and the Programs Committee Chair Dr Christian Borgemeister, paid a courtesy visit to the IITA Rwanda offices. They were transiting through Kigali from Bukavu where they attended the inauguration of the President Olusegun Obasanjo Research Campus at IITA Kalambo. “The purpose is to see…

“Pay attention to nematodes, they have adverse effects on African food security”, scientists warn

Although the world has fully turned its attention to climate change and is continually looking for ways of slowing down its effects on humans, plants, and animals, there is another consequence sneaking up—and no one seems to notice. This consequence is nematodes! Africa’s high population growth rate and rapid urbanization, coupled with climate change, has…

African agriculture needs more nematologists

Researchers from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kenya in partnership with the Nematology Research Unit of Ghent University, Belgium carried out the first-ever structured survey on nematology in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study which was published in July 2019, in the journal Nematology, aimed at promoting nematology as a training and research discipline in SSA. Read…

IITA-Mozambique provides relief for victims of cyclone Idai

Staff of IITA-Mozambique have delivered relief materials to The National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) office in response to those who had been affected by cyclone Idai that devastated parts of Mozambique on 14 and 15 March 2019. Some provinces were severely affected and some locations, such as the cities of Beira and Buzi in…

IITA rejoices with AfDB President on honoris causa

IITA celebrates with its ardent supporter and champion, HE Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of African Development Bank (AfDB) as he receives an honorary award of Doctor of Entrepreneurship from Bowen University, Nigeria. This award is recognition for his commitment to youth empowerment, contribution to subsistence farming, publications on agriculture and policy development as well as…

Scientists prepped for nutrition survey

A team of scientists have been trained to carry out a nutrition survey in selected communities throughout Nigeria. The week-long training workshop, which took place from 27 October to 2 November, focused on preparing the scientists for the field and designing a good survey. IITA Head of Administration, West Africa Hub, Sylvia Oyinlola, welcomed the…

Going Digital! IITA holds Promo day for digital technologies

IITA and partners gathered today, 1 November, to launch IITA applications designed to promote productivity. With the theme “Smart tools for smart farming”, the meeting demonstrated the linkages between IITA’s products and our applications. Agricultural productivity in Africa has a number of challenges, including “lousy seeds”, lack of professionalism, insufficient capacity, low adoption of improved…

IITA GoSeed set to launch first e-commerce site for breeder & foundation seed in Nigeria

IITA GoSeed, a unit of the IITA Business Incubation Platform (BIP), is launching the first e-commerce website in Nigeria soon, making breeder and foundation seed of the best varieties of important food crops available. Buyers can now order online at www.iitagoseed.com. Read more

IITA Nematology/Striga laboratory undergoes facelift in Ibadan campus

On 4 October, IITA West Africa Hub Director, Robert Asiedu, inaugurated the newly refurbished Nematology and Striga laboratory at the Ibadan campus of the Institute. Project leaders and a GRC representative were among those present at the ceremony. In his remarks, Asiedu congratulated the staff and commended them for their persistence and hard work in…

Open for whom? Equity in Open Access

As the world observes Open Access week between 21 and 27 October 2019 with the theme, “Open for whom? Equity in Open Access”, it is important to consider the various users of open access data and publications as well as the usage of such open access materials or data. In simple terms Open Access means making your…