COVID-19 Archives - Page 3 of 3

Turn waste into wealth during and after the COVID-19 lockdown

The current COVID 19 lockdown is forcing us to look within for sufficiency. At the beginning of the pandemic, people rushed to buy and stock up on essential commodities such as food and toiletries. Stocking up on essentials is one battle won; the next frontier of survival is being frugal and getting the most out…

GLFLive on gene banks and COVID-19

Head of IITA Germplasm Health Unit, Lava Kumar, will be participating at the next GLF Live, which will take place on 13 May. Landscape News of the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) is organizing this series of live interviews with experts examining the linkages between COVID-19 and climate change. This edition of GLF Live will focus on the relationship between COVID-19, genebanks,…

Continuing to strengthen food systems in Africa

With the global food systems facing a major challenge with the outbreak of COVID-19, it has become imperative for countries to achieve a measure of self-sufficiency in their food production. CGIAR-IITA continues to work with governments in sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate this. IITA R4D Director for Central Africa, Bernard Vanlauwe, has spoken of multiple initiatives…

STEP trains five as Oyo commissioners of agriculture and education visit IITA

The CGIAR-IITA Start Them Early Program (STEP) has trained five students of Fasola Grammar School (FGS) on the use of machines for agricultural productivity. The training took place at FGS and coincided with the visit of Oyo State commissioners for agriculture and education. The global outbreak of COVID-19 has affected school and STEP activities due…

Maize project supports partners in COVID-19 response

As the world continues the fight to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, food production, employment, income and welfare of people in Africa, as well as in other parts of the world, need to be given extra attention. More than 70% of the rural population in West and Central Africa depend on subsistence farming, and this is…

Human activities are the No.1 contributors for the globalization of plant pests

Human activities are the no. 1 contributors to globalizing plant pests

If there is anything the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it is that diseases do not know boundaries and humans are responsible for carrying and spreading diseases from person to person. This is also true for several plant pests. Humans are the leading carriers of the intercontinental spread of plant pests and diseases –…

IITA identifies opportunities to make a difference amidst COVID-19 spread across Africa

COVID-19 Update: Extension of lockdown measures

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IITA has announced that the Institute will be extending the temporary lockdown measures in its different locations until further notice. Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, Hilde Koper-Limbourg announced this on 9 April, in an email communique to all staff. She noted that there might be further announcements if the governments…

Meet CGIAR-IITA’s women fighting plant pests and diseases

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a heart-wrenching example of how viruses can quickly spread from one continent to the next. The way human diseases spread is not any different from how plant pests and diseases spread. Lava Kumar, a virologist and head of the Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) at IITA, says, “Humans are the number…

IITA prepares to provide strategic support to governments during COVID-19 pandemic

IITA Director-General, Dr Nteranya Sanginga has said that the Institute is strategically working towards providing support for the federal and state governments in Nigeria as well as the other countries where IITA hubs are situated, during this trying time across the world. Sanginga said this at a meeting of staff and management to announce Institute-wide…

IITA identifies opportunities to make a difference amidst COVID-19 spread across Africa

As COVID-19 or coronavirus gets closer to home—Africa, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has announced some opportunities for the Institute to undertake some quick-win projects that would help the continent address food security and poverty alleviation goals. IITA Director-General Nteranya Sanginga announced these and health and safety measures to prevent the spread of…