IITA News

Using video to promote improved potato seed quality in southwestern Uganda – Preliminary results from a randomized intervention

In Uganda, low quality of potato seed is a major contributor to low potato yields among smallholder farmers. This finding was one of the main conclusions from an ongoing policy research project (PASIC). The research, led by the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) with support from IITA, IFPRI and EPRC, collected…

IITA Cameroon hosts meeting of international organizations on REDD+ activities

Member institutions of the CCPM CCPM (Consultation Circle of Partners of Ministry of Forests and Wildlife and Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development) REDD+ came together in Cameroon on 10 March to identify bottlenecks, discuss best practices, and exchange knowledge on solutions and pathways for moving the REDD+ agenda forward.

Showing off Aflasafe products: (L-R) MISST Project Advisor, Dr Patrick Okori; US Deputy Chief of Mission, Andrew Hirrup; Controller of Agriculture Services, Dr Alexander Bulirani; and DG Sanginga.

DG Sanginga graces handover of aflatoxin laboratory and launch of Aflasafe in Malawi

During the recent handover of the Aflatoxin Research and Training laboratory in Malawi on 10 April, IITA Director General Nteranya Sanginga challenged players in the agricultural industry to vigorously fight aflatoxin, which contaminates up to 30% of groundnut and maize in Malawi. Dr Sanginga was joined by the Deputy Chief of Mission for the US…

IITA launches International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) 2020 at R4D Week

With decades of research contributing to the improvement of plant health globally and across Africa in particular, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is joining the plant science community on 22 November to launch the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH) 2020. The IYPH 2020 is a year long observance with the theme, “Protecting…

Scientists reveal the hybrid origin of the white Guinea yam

An international team of scientists has revealed the origin of the most popular food staple in Africa, the white Guinea yam. Yam is a major staple widely consumed in West Africa. This starchy tuber is an important food crop that contributes to the sustenance and sociocultural lives of over 300 million people in the region….

Picture of DG Sanginga meeting with P4D directorate staff in the IITA Boardroom

DG Sanginga sees P4D as the next driver of IITA growth

On 2 March, IITA Director General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga shared his vison for the Institute for the next 3 years, noting that the new drivers of IITA’s growth are projects with development and delivery components.

Picture of participants at the CBSD Workshop, DR Congo.

IITA hosts workshop on CBSD

The project tagged “Preventive actions against the propagation and expansion of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo”, has successfully organized a work plan development workshop on 20—21 April, at Mbanza-Ngungu, 150 km West of Kinshasa.

Picture of Dr David Shearer, WorldFish Director, International Partnership, giving a presentation during a visit to IITA.

WorldFish seeks collaboration on hosting agreement and TAAT initiative

As a follow-up on the stakeholder workshop on the development of the WorldFish Nigeria program with the Nigerian Government, representatives from WorldFish visited IITA Ibadan, on 22 March, to seek collaboration to move their agenda forward.

Picture of Sougrynoma Zainatou Sore, Head of IITA Capacity Development Office, giving a presentation on IITA’s activities from inception to date.

Ivorian delegates visit IITA; acquire knowledge for ENABLE Youth implementation

As a sequel to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between IITA and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire to replicate the ENABLE (Empowering Novel Agri-Business-Led Employment) Youth program in the country, 10 delegates from the Ivorian government visited IITA Headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria on 27–31 August

“Let’s train more youth in agribusiness,” Senator of Oyo South calls

On 1 November, Senator Kola Balogun of Oyo South senatorial district visited IITA to explore partnership opportunities in the agricultural development of Oyo South senatorial district, Oyo State. He was welcomed by Kenton Dashiell, IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery who said, “We have partnerships with federal and state governments, and private organizations.” Senator…