IITA News

Picture of Dennis Rangi, CABI; and May-Guri Saethre, IITA, in a panel discussion

Fall armyworm: Forum advocates cocktail of solutions before the next outbreak

Farmers across Africa are reeling under huge losses linked to the devastation by the invasive species called fall armyworm (FAW) or Spodoptera frugiperda.

Picture of the communication team sharing a historic moment with the DG

IITA’s work and progress on display

The communication team together with the Agripreneurs and different projects of the Institute based in Abuja showcased outputs of ongoing research.

Controlling the twin viral cassava diseases in East Africa through breeding—major victories, but fight is far from over

Cassava farmers in Eastern Africa have been watching in despair as two viral diseases―cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD)―ravage their valuable crop. Edward Kanju, IITA cassava breeder based in Tanzania, has spent the last 11 years at the Institute leading regional efforts to develop improved cassava varieties with tolerance or resistance…

Picture of quest of honor, Prof Siza Tumbo, giving the opening remarks

Stakeholders in Tanzania plan cassava transformation to support agriculture-led socioeconomic development

The Cassava Compact of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) led by IITA and funded by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) has initiated activities in Tanzania, with a three-day national stakeholders’ workshop.

IITA to name research station in Kalambo after longtime collaborator and Goodwill Ambassador

On 8 October, IITA will officially inaugurate the Institute’s research station in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The event will also serve as the naming ceremony where the Kalambo station will be designated The President Olusegun Obasanjo Research Campus, in honor of the former Nigerian President and IITA Goodwill Ambassador. Read more

Aflasafe KE01: Biocontrol measure for Aflatoxin

Aflatoxins are a family of secondary toxins produced by certain fungi found on a wide range of commodities, including maize and groundnut. The primary fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus found in warm and humid regions of the world. Aflatoxin-producing fungi can contaminate crops in the field during harvest and storage,…

Charismatic root and tuber champion passes on

Professor Felix Nweke, whose work on cassava and other tropical root and tuber crop like yam left a lasting impact on agricultural value chains in multiple African countries, passed away last month, August, in the US. A forerunner of value chain research and transformation in Africa, former IITA senior economist, and Michigan State University professor,…

Picture of PPSMV identified by Lava Kumar during his graduate research. The discovery was recognized for its overall contribution in controlling the destructive Sterility Mosiac Disease.

IITA scientist presents to IARSAF members

There is no substitute for self-motivation. No one can put success in your pocket,” IITA Virologist Lava Kumar said at the IARSAF journal club, held 10 June, at IITA, Ibadan, where he chronicled his graduate research experience and advised the student researchers to remain zealous in their academic pursuits. Kumar’s presentation, titled “Chasing unknown viruses─recounting…

Picture of US Ambassador H.E. Lucy Tamlyn (2nd from right) with IITA Biodiversity Center curator Georg Goergen, and US Embassy Political and Economic Section Chief Marisa N. Cohrs, IITA Emeritus Scientist Peter Neuenschwander, and USAID-Benin General Development Officer Geoffrey Minott.

US Ambassador to Benin visits IITA to learn more about the fall armyworm and the biodiversity center

On 7 May, the US Ambassador to Benin, H.E. Lucy Tamlyn, visited the IITA-Benin station accompanied by the US Embassy Political and Economic Section Chief Marisa N. Cohrs and USAID-Benin General Development Officer Geoffrey Minott.

Hon. Kayitesi (centre) during her visit to IITA-Burundi.

Former Burundi minister lauds IITA’s significant support

To mark the end of her term in office, Hon. Kayitesi Odette, the immediate past Minister of Agriculture in Burundi visited IITA, and thanked the Institute and staff for their support during her tenure. She also urged the Institute to extend the same gesture to the new minister. During the commendation visit on 25 September,…