Jamaican research organization seeks collaboration with IITA for food security

A representative of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) of Jamaica, is on a visit to IITA to discuss possible areas of collaboration with the Institute.

The representative, Ryan Francis who is the team leader of the Biotechnology Department at SRC said the institution seeks to collaborate with other institutes engaged in similar activities.

Francis’ visit, which spans from 15 to 27 July, is purposely to seek collaboration with IITA to improve breeding of Dioscorea alata, known as water yam in Nigeria, for disease resistance. This is due to the high demand but limited availability of D. alata in Jamaica due to anthracnose, a yam disease which leads to yield losses of up to 95%.