IITA News

Extract from "Gender in the workplace" flyer

IITA gender program gets boost with release of factsheet on “Gender in the workplace”

IITA continuing efforts to mainstream gender across the institute received a boost with the release of the first factsheet on “Gender in the Workplace”. The factsheet provides information about the Institute’s commitment to the promotion of gender equality and equity. It essentially presents what has happened, what is happening, and what will be happening. The…

Picture of agricultural produce displayed at the IITA stand

IITA work featured at Cameroon exhibition

IITA-Cameroon was very active and visible at the recently organized exhibition day of the Center for Scientific Research and Innovations (JERSIC) in Ebolowa, Cameroon. The event, which was held on 28-29 June, was organized by the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovations and was chaired by the South Region Governor, Felix Nguele…

Picture of participants receive training on testing for aflatoxins

Experts convene to deliberate how to make food and feed safe from aflatoxins in Africa

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with support and in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture- Foreign Agricultural Service ( USDA-ARS ) organized the second networking workshop for Biocontrol experts from 13 African nations and beyond this week in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of efforts to improve the health of Africans…

Picture of Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB president (left) and Nteranya Sanginga, IITA DG (right) discuss.

IITA/AfDB host pre-appraisal meeting for TAAT, a new mega-agricultural initiative in Africa

IITA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) are hosting a pre-appraisal meeting for the Bank’s new initiative, Feeding Africa or Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, 18-30 July at IITA headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. The TAAT program is a critical strategy for transforming agriculture on the continent that would ensure that Africa is able…

Listening to what women don’t say

What women don’t say can be as important as what they do say. I learned this recently in Nigeria. Villagers love cassava because of its flexibility. People can harvest the plants one or few at a time, as the household needs food. But cassava can also be tricky. Once the roots are harvested they are…

Stakeholders discuss biopesticide registration in Malawi

A two-day stakeholders’ review meeting was held at the Sunbird Capital Hotel in Lilongwe. The aim was to discuss the existing policies and regulations on biopesticide registration with relevant stakeholders and solicit their input on a ‘Guidance Document’ for streamlining registration in Malawi. The document was developed by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and…

Picture of ZIYA youth trainees at a cassava seed multiplication site in Kaoma.

Zambia IITA Youth Agripreneurs complete training on seed production as business

From 20 to 24 June, the Zambia IITA Youth Agripreneurs (ZIYA) arranged for and underwent a training course on “Seed production for business” in Kaoma District in the Western Province of Zambia. Youth in Kaoma are actively involved with the cassava Innovation Platform set up by IITA in the district. The training was conducted by…

Picture of IYAKIN Agripreneur presenting white mushrooms.

IITA-DRC Youth Agripreneurs promote “Oyster” mushrooms

Youth agripreneurs from the IITA, Kinshasha, DRC station are producing and marketing edible mushrooms called “Oysters”. “Oysters”, scientifically known as Pleurotus sajor-caju, offer important business opportunities in Congo. Although they are in high demanded and appreciated by the Congolese market, they are hard to find. Mushrooms offer significant nutritional benefits. They are rich in proteins,…

Picture of the participants interact with one another.

IITA strengthens capacity of graduate students

The IITA Ibadan station is hosting a 4-week training course from 27 June to 22 July, to strengthen the capacity of selected graduate students in the various areas of their research. The 16 participating students are from Chad, Togo, DR Congo, and Sierra-Leone. The training falls under the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) CORAF/WECARD research…

This week in history: IITA hoists national and institutional flag for the first time

16 July 1973, IITA raised the Nigerian and institutional flag for the first time. John Nickel, IITA acting Director at the time, stated the raising of the Nigerian flag alongside the IITA flag was symbolic. “Such togetherness marks the goodwill that exists between the government and the people of Nigeria and the efforts of IITA…