IITA News no. 2535 Archives

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…

Government of Zambia keen to support development of agricultural value chain

The Finance Minister of Zambia, Dr Bwalya Ng’andu, announced that the government is keen to support any initiative that targets the development of the agriculture value chain because of its substantial benefits to farmers and other players in the chain. The Minister said this during a courtesy call by IITA Director General Nteranya Sanginga, in…

STEP trains five as Oyo commissioners of agriculture and education visit IITA

The CGIAR-IITA Start Them Early Program (STEP) has trained five students of Fasola Grammar School (FGS) on the use of machines for agricultural productivity. The training took place at FGS and coincided with the visit of Oyo State commissioners for agriculture and education. The global outbreak of COVID-19 has affected school and STEP activities due…

Combating food waste due to postharvest diseases

Food waste has become a scourge with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimating that 45% (about 1.3 billion tons) of harvested fruits, vegetables, roots, and tubers are lost annually. These postharvest losses may involve a loss in quantity over time or quality losses of important nutrients, which may be due to contamination, such as…