DRC Archives | IITA News

IITA takes the lead in agricultural transformation in DRC

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), IITA has continued to take a leading role in driving domestic agricultural transformation. Between 15 and 19 February, the Institute carried out multiple interventions to boost agriculture in the region. The Institute organized a regional capacity-building workshop on the management of aflatoxins under the auspices of the Integrated…

South Kivu Provincial Minister of Agriculture praises IITA contribution to food security amidst COVID-19 crisis

The city of Bukavu will produce 20 tons of tilapia per week by the end of 2020. This will be done through the Tilapia Production in Cages Project implemented by IITA and partners, financially supported by the FPI (Fond de la Promotion de l’Industrie) as part of the 100 Days program of the Democratic Republic…

Continuing to strengthen food systems in Africa

With the global food systems facing a major challenge with the outbreak of COVID-19, it has become imperative for countries to achieve a measure of self-sufficiency in their food production. CGIAR-IITA continues to work with governments in sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate this. IITA R4D Director for Central Africa, Bernard Vanlauwe, has spoken of multiple initiatives…

Is agriculture a punishment or an opportunity?

It is no longer news that in Africa, agriculture is an occupation practiced by the aged in rural areas. African youth prefer migrating to urban areas in search of white-collar jobs to pursue a career in agriculture. This is because the youth have the mindset about agriculture being difficult and having little gains. The drudgery…

IITA and DG Sanginga recognized for entrepreneurial activities in DRC

CGIAR-IITA has been honored with an excellence award for having the best entrepreneurial activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The award ceremony was part of a conference organized by the Fédération des Entreprises du Congo (FEC) and the government of DRC, which took place in Kinshasa, 11–12 March. IITA was cited in the…

Obasanjo urges industrial scale agriculture for self-sufficiency in Africa

Former Nigerian President and IITA Goodwill Ambassador, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the adoption of agriculture as a business, which when implemented on an industrial scale will generate employment, especially among youth, as well as drastically reduce national food import bills. He made the remarks in Kalambo, Democratic Republic of Congo, during the inauguration…

In front of the inauguration slab (L-R): President Felix Tshisekedi of DR Congo; Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga.

IITA names Kalambo station “The President Olusegun Obasanjo Research Campus”

IITA has named its research station in Kalambo, Democratic Republic of Congo, after former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo in an event that took place on 8 October. The IITA Board of Trustees decided to name the station after Obasanjo in recognition of his contributions to agricultural research throughout Africa. This was also an acknowledgement of…

New tissue culture laboratory launched in DR Congo

IITA Kalambo station, newly inaugurated as the President Olusegun Obasanjo Research Campus, commissioned a new tissue culture laboratory during an inauguration ceremony in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 8 October. The world-class laboratory, which is the second of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, is intended to multiply clean and disease-free planting materials of banana,…

CIALCA organizes ICT4Ag workshop to build capacity of staff and partners

The Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa (CIALCA) organized a two-day course on the use of digital tools in agriculture research. This is part of CIALCA’s efforts to build the capacity of national scientists and practitioners on innovative digital technologies, to empower research and decision-making to facilitate sustainable agri-food system transformation. Twenty CIALCA…

DRC-CBSD project holds activity planning workshop for 2019–2020

The IITA Actions to control Cassava Brown Streak Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) project (DRC-CBSD Project), held its fourth workshop and final planning for year 2019–2020 activities. The annual meeting took place in the city of Mbanza-Ngungu in Kongo-Central, DRC, from 17 to 19 September. Representatives of the United States Agency for…