Bulletin no. 2356 Archives

Picture of Seed yam tubers in aeroponics system.

Initiative announced to improve and make high quality seed yam available

The availability and accessibility of high quality seed yam of improved varieties are the focus of a new US$12 million project aimed at revolutionizing the yam production system. This is intended to transform the formal seed systems in Ghana and Nigeria, Africa’s largest exporter and largest producer of yam, respectively. The flagship yam project, Yam…

Stakeholders advocate multisectoral engagement to tackle malnutrition, boost economy

To reverse the trend of Nigeria’s declining economy, engage the teeming unemployed youth population, and tackle malnutrition, government and private sector stakeholders in the health, agriculture, and beverage sectors must encourage and take part in the local production of more nutritious foods. This was according to experts, including researchers, policy and decision makers, food processors,…

Picture of Awardees of the 2016 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers pose with officials and award organizers

Former IITA scientist receives prestigious award from MAFF

For his efforts in characterizing yam germplasm held in conservation at the IITA Genebank, Gezahegn Girma Tessema, former visiting scientist/DNA Fingerprinting Specialist in the Bioscience Center of IITA based in Ibadan received the 2016 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers. The award was presented to Tessema on 1 December at the U Thant International…

Efforts launched to save 6.8 million soybean growing households in Africa from rust disease

While soybean is increasingly becoming an important commercial and food crop in many countries in Africa, its production is greatly threatened by factors such as lack of access to improved varieties and inputs; abiotic factors such as poor soil fertility and unpredictable weather changes; and biotic factors such as diseases, weeds, and insect pests. However,…

Did you know: The start of IITA’s Research Program

IITA’s first research scientist was entomologist W. Keith Whitney, who accepted the position in 1968. The following year, he was joined by nematologist Fields Caveness and a host of others. By April 1969, these scientists had established experiments at the Ibadan site organized along disciplinary lines. Soon afterwards, a research committee was established to coordinate…

Picture of Mukulu making a presentation at one of the IP workshops.

PASIC study findings and Humidtropics’ Innovation Platforms factored in Uganda’s newly passed National

The approval of the National Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) and its strategy (NAES) in October 2016 by the Cabinet of the Government of Uganda was a major milestone for IITA and partners in their efforts to push for wide consultation with stakeholders in policy formulation. The policy incorporated findings from a study on Policy and…

Picture of Alejandro Ortega-Beltran explains about aflatoxin contamination and aflasafe development to DSU visitors.

US university explores areas of collaboration with IITA

Delegates from Delaware State University (DSU) in the United States of America visited IITA on 17 November to explore possible areas of partnership that will provide its students with opportunities of acquiring the global experiences needed to enable them to face the world after graduation. The delegates, led by the University’s President Harry Williams were…

WAAPP/PPAAO visit IITA-Abuja Station

A 156-member international delegation from 13 ECOWAS countries was at the IITA-Abuja Station on 18 November as part of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP/PPAAO) wrap-up meeting in Nigeria. The delegation was received in IITA by Alfred Dixon, Head, Development and Delivery Unit; Michael Abberton, Deputy Director, IITA West Africa Hub; and Gbassey Tarawali,…