Originally published on cgiar.org by:International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on Dec 8, 2006

Two scientists of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Professor Malachy Akoroda and Dr Chuma Ezedinma have been honored at an international symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC) in the State of Kerala, India. The occasion was the recent 14th triennial symposium of the ISTRC jointly organized by the Indian Society for Root Crops and Central Tuber Crops Research Institute.

Dr. Ezedinma Project Economist of the IITA Integrated Cassava Project received an award for the Best Oral Presentation, while Prof. Malachy Akoroda, the Project Agronomist received the long service award as ISTRC president, and was re-elected as Councilor for African countries of the international body. The theme of the symposium was "Global perspective to enhance production and marketing of tropical tuber crops". The symposium was attended by about 250 participants drawn from public institutions, research institutes, universities, and private industries, from over 25 countries.

Several IITA scientists who attended the symposium presented papers on the occasion. Prof. Malachy Akoroda spoke on the "Status of tuber crops production and utilization in Africa"; while Dr Lateef Sanni a post harvest specialist spoke on "Cassava postharvest systems in Africa: yesterday, today, and tomorrow"; Dr Asumugha's paper was on "Evaluation of the economic viability and sustainability of IITA's Cassava Enterprise Development Project (CEDP), cassava micro-processing centers established in Nigeria", while Dr Ezedinma's paper was titled "Domestic and cross border trade in traditional cassava food products in Nigeria".

The symposium recognized factors such as low market prices for roots and tubers, high production costs, lack of subsidy, dearth of proper policy on the part of the respective governments, pest and disease problems, poor soil conditions, and low input agriculture as the reasons for decline in production. The need to develop postharvest technologies to suit market demands as well as the local management capacity of the farmers and processors were major issues reducing the impact of postharvest technologies in Africa. The influence of climate variability in production, processing, and utilization of root crops was one of the major challenges of the future.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Nutrition Society (NNS) has presented an award to Dr Alfred Dixon, IITA Cassava Breeder for his contribution towards food security and quality in Nigeria through cassava breeding. The award was the highlight of the annual scientific conference of the society, held recently at Abeokuta. Presenting the award, the NNS President referred to Dr Dixon as the "Grandfather of Cassava" and commended him for his untiring efforts in fighting food insecurity in Africa.

The theme of the conference was "Biotechnology: a tool for solving malnutrition problems in Nigeria". The society was impressed that the quality aspect of cassava is being addressed through biofortification.