COVID-19 Archives | IITA News

IITA produces basic seeds for major crops, including cassava.

IITA plays vital role in Cameroon seed system during COVID-19 crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic IITA-Cameroon is providing high-quality seeds of improved crop varieties to smallholder farmers through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER). The seed legislation in Cameroon classifies seed into basic seeds, certified seeds, and standard (commercial) seeds. IITA, in collaboration with Cameroon’s Agricultural Research Institute for Development (IRAD), has the responsibility…

IITA Agricultural Economist, Dr Shiferaw Feleke.

IITA economist: COVID-19 strengthens the need for a policy of food self-sufficiency for Africa

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on food security has revived the long-standing debate on the pathway to achieving food security in sub-Saharan Africa. There have been two divergent thoughts on how to accomplish this, with one side calling for Africa to become food self-sufficient and the other supporting international trade over self-sufficiency. Both approaches…

Adamawa State participants with training facilitators behind.

Integrated Agriculture Activity trains youth as spray service providers in Adamawa and Borno States…

The USAID-funded Feed-the-Future Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity (IAA) recently concluded the training of 30 youths as spray service providers (SSPs) in Adamawa and Borno States, in North-Eastern Nigeria. The first sessions of the training, which began in February, and held in Borno had 15 participants. The Adamawa Agriculture Development Investment Limited Farming Skills Acquisition Centre…

Participants at an Adamawa training session.

Integrated Agriculture Activity trains trainers on climate-smart and improved agricultural practices in North-Eastern Nigeria

As part of its mandate to facilitate improved agro-input and extension advisory services to serve vulnerable populations, the USAID-funded Integrated Agriculture Activity project under Feed the Future Nigeria recently conducted a training of trainers (ToT) for selected participants from Adamawa and Borno States. The training focused on climate-smart and improved agricultural practices, with trainees drawn…

The IITA team, led by Dr Kokou Kintche, IITA DRC, with Governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi at the South Kivu governor’s office.

Package delivered to fight COVID-19 crisis in South-Kivu

As part of its social responsibility activities, CGIAR-IITA, in collaboration with the Catholic University of Bukavu (UCB), delivered donations to South Kivu administrative division in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the country. The relief package, delivered on 23 June, is part of a short and long-term…

Production and distribution of Aflasafe KE01TM continue despite COVID-19 restrictions

As Kenya puts in place measures to protect the lives of its citizens from the devastating coronavirus disease, COVID-19, efforts to also protect lives by ensuring food is safe and free from the devastating aflatoxin have been going on. The team from the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the International Institute of…

Nodumax production team before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nodumax set for full production despite the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting global food systems, disrupting regional agricultural value chains, and posing risks to household food security. It has created a heightened awareness of food safety among producers, businesses, governments, and consumers. The agricultural input production and supply industry is facing many challenges around production and logistics. This affected the unit at…

IITA Cameroon lends a helping hand to farmers’ coop at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic

Cameroon, like other countries in the world, is at the moment grappling with the effect of the coronavirus, having recorded over 6,000 cases so far. Despite the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, IITA-Cameroon has collaborated with the Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) to give a helping hand to members of some…

Development partners meet to address Africa’s food security amid COVID-19

In 2018, over 200 million people in Africa were undernourished due to food shortages. The advent of coronavirus has added another dimension to this issue. An examination of these problems led to the World Bank and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convening a virtual conference to put together a response plan to address…

COVID19 – Work in shifts, researchers advise yam seed producers and farmers

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, governments all over the world have instituted specific measures such as physical distancing and staying at home. Unfortunately, for farmers, time is of the essence since the rainy season is here and it will soon end, – whether we are facing a pandemic or not. For farmers, the rains…