IITA News

Project supports teaching on Climate-smart Agriculture in agricultural training institutes in Tanzania

Tanzania Agriculture PS acknowledges and lauds IITA research work

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Tanzania, has recognized the importance of research conducted by IITA and partners to address challenges in the horticulture sector as well as the presence and work done by IITA in Tanzania in general. The PS said he was well aware of the Institute’s work in the country and termed it excellent work toward transforming the agricultural sector. The PS, Mr Gerald Kusaya, said this while…

CBSD control project for Rwanda and Burundi launched

IITA in partnership with the Institute of Agricultural Science of Burundi (ISABU) and Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) have launched a new project titled “Fighting Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) through the deployment of new resistant germplasm and clean seed in Rwanda and Burundi”.

ENABLE-TAAT provides youths networking platform at Tanzania open day

Improved eating: Healthy benefits of fortified snacks

Eating healthy snacks is one way to combat poor nutrition, while legumes can replace animal-based proteins in various preparations. Snacks fortified with legumes, particularly soybean, are nutritious enough for household consumption. They are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals such as iron and zinc, and are satiating. Researchers carried out a recent study to evaluate…

Picture of Cowpea is both a delicacy and livelihood crop for many African households.

Scientists say new spacing could guarantee more yield for cowpea

CGIAR scientists are recommending a new spacing regime for cowpea that could give farmers up to 79% more yield if adopted. The new spacing is a result of a study on the Effects of plant density on the performance of cowpea in Nigerian savannas, conducted during the 2013 and 2014 growing seasons at the IITA…

Delivery of cassava cuttings of biofortified yellow cassava varieties rich in provitamin A.

INERA and HarvestPlus organize joint sensitization program

The WAVE project of the Environmental Institute for Agricultural Research (INERA), Mvuazi station and HarvestPlus organized a joint awareness day on brown streak, a viral disease recently observed on cassava, and the production and use of biofortified yellow cassava rich in provitamin A.

IITA partners in launch of Tanzania’s national cassava strategy

IITA and other cassava stakeholders came together for the official launch of the National Cassava Development Strategy by Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture on 7 May in the country’s capital, Dodoma. IITA was also among the main sponsors and played a key role in organizing the event, which provided a forum for stakeholders to discuss how…

Picture of Katherine Lopez giving a presentation at the skills development training

IARSAF training: Enhanced communication skills and data management for better research

Research fellows under the auspices of International Association of Research Scholars and Fellows (IARSAF) underwent two different training sessions to enhance skills necessary for their development as researchers.

Tracking adoption of improved varieties in informal seed systems using GBS markers: A case study using cassava

Assessing the impact of crop improvement has been a concern for agricultural researchers as varieties tend to look alike. Improved varieties of cassava, a clonally propagated crop, were mostly disseminated through informal seed systems, making the task of variety tracking difficult. However, researchers from IITA, Michigan State University, and Ghana’s Council for Scientific and Industrial…

Data Focus: Equity in Open Access

The world observed Open Access week 2019 from 21 to 27 October. The theme, “Open for whom? Equity in Open Access” raised important considerations about the various users of open access data and publications as well as the usage of such open access materials or data. According to Opensource.com, Open Access means making your work…

IITA to work with Osun State in raising agribusiness ambassadors

On 23 January, the Osun State Commissioner for Education, Hon Folarunsho Oladoyin visited IITA Ibadan campus with his Assistant, Bukola Elufisan and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Jamiu Olawumi. The purpose of their visit was to collaborate with IITA through the IITA Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) and Start Them Early Program (STEP) platforms,…