IITA News

Atser, presenting the findings of the extension study in China

Study finds gaps in Nigeria’s extension system

A study on the training needs assessment of extension agents in Nigeria has revealed several gaps and constraints that have limited the effectiveness of the extension service in the country. While presenting a paper on “The capacity of extension staff in managing weeds in cassava systems in Nigeria” in Nanning, China, during the World Congress…

Polish investors went around the IITA-Abuja station.

Polish investors visit IITA-Abuja

Agricultural investors from Poland have indicated interest in partnering with IITA to help in improving Nigeria’s agricultural development. This was announced during the visit of a three-person team of Polish investors led by Ewa Olszewska, the International Project Manager, Poland−Africa Partnership and Cooperation, to IITA Abuja station on 3 February. The visitors expressed satisfaction with…

Off the press: New book on chocolate

Oxford University Press book has recently released a new book on Chocolate entitled The Economics of Chocolate. This innovative book is the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive economic overview on chocolate. The book has a worldwide appeal with chapters on Europe, the US, China, India, the former Soviet Union, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire,…

Chrys Akem reiterates the importance of promoting soybean at the workshop.

Enhancing soybean production in Nigeria through the SARD-SC maize system

The IITA/SARD-SC maize system soybean production enhancement planning workshop was held 1–4 February in Abuja to promote soybean cultivation and utilization in Nigeria. The workshop became imperative because of the huge deficit in the annual demand for the crop. Demand is currently estimated at 2.2 million tons; the annual production of 600,000 tons is grossly…

Stakeholders at Kongwa prepare to be shown how to apply the aflasafe in the field.

IITA builds capacity of staff and partners in Tanzania on aflatoxin control

IITA recently trained its staff, partners, and farmers in Kongwa District, Tanzania, on how to control aflatoxin using Aflasafe, an effective and safe biological control product developed by researchers at the Institute and partners. Kongwa is a major maize and groundnut growing and consuming area. Both are important basic ingredients in complementary weaning foods in…

New partnership celebrates scientific innovations shaping global agriculture today

The global agriculture coalition Farming First and the CGIAR have joined forces to highlight the powerful impact that investments in science and innovation can make on global development. A new interactive essay compiled by the partnership demonstrates how these investments can go beyond simply meeting food security needs, but contribute to broader interlinked goals such…

New cassava processing facilities in Kwembe, Tanzania.

IITA gets new training facilities for cassava processing in Tanzania

IITA’s efforts to promote the processing of cassava in Tanzania have received a major boost with the completion and handing over of newly constructed facilities for a training center on cassava processing on 27 January. Facilities included an equipment fabrication workshop, a cassava processing center, and offices. The construction of the buildings, which are on…

CRI-Ghana scientists visit YIIFSWA yam aeroponics facility at NRCRI Umudike

Scientists from the Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Ghana, visited the newly established Aeroponics Facility at the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike last December to view some of the progress being made by their Nigerian counterparts on pre-basic and basic seed production. The scientists, Emmanuel Otoo, Deputy Director, CRI; Braima Haruna, YIIFSWA Country Manager,…

Participants in front of the gate to the ‘Sanctuaire des singes de Drabo Gbo’.

IITA-Benin hosts training workshop for the sustainable conservation of endangered primates of Benin and Togo

A workshop was organized at IITA-Benin on 7-14 January to strengthen the research capacities of 14 young researchers already active in nature conservation from universities and NGOs in Benin and Togo. The workshop also aimed to demonstrate the standardized procedures for observing monkeys and empower the participants to launch new projects in national and international…

A big male red-belly holds court and protects his female and young, who sit in the trees above the well looking back at the trainees.

Study details measures for conserving rainforests in Africa

Reporting on the strategies employed in rehabilitating and conserving four rainforests in Benin and southwestern Nigeria, Deni Bown, Head, IITA Forest Unit; Peter Neuenschwander, IITA Benin; and partners from CREDI-ONG demonstrated that a combination of closed-off reserves, clear and secure land ownership, donor support, education for and engaging with locals as well as strong government…