Originally published on cgiar.org by:International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on Oct 6, 2008

IITA, Nigeria— IITA launches R4D Review, a six-monthly magazine to discuss and develop the best new ideas for people creating, leading, and transforming tropical agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

For more than four decades, IITA and partners have been developing award-winning solutions to the complex problems that plague agricultural systems in Africa. However, many promising solutions remain on shelves because participation in their development and access to such knowledge have been limited.

"We launch this 6-monthly R4D Review in print and interactive online versions based upon open source principles. The free flow of information and participation in knowledge development with partners, investors, beneficiaries, and others helps to accelerate the development, dissemination, and continuous improvement of innovative solutions needed to tackle hunger and poverty," says Eric Koper, IITA head of communication.

Each R4D Review has general information and a more particular focus. The maiden issue focuses on bananas, highlighting the important work done to address problems in banana production, marketing and development. It forwards a perspective on how the current food crisis provides Africa with opportunities to turn agriculture around, and achieve food security and economic development. Insider and outsider views are given about IITA's research for development (R4D) work and partnerships, and emphasize the breadth and depth of R4D work in developing solutions and its impact on natural resource management and sustainability, producer communities, and markets.

The online R4D Review at http://www.r4dreview.org is an interactive and collaborative environment to share views, discuss ideas, and share innovations. The print version gives access to knowledge which otherwise may be very difficult to obtain but offers less opportunities for interaction.

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For more information, please contact:

Eric Koper, e.koper@cgiar.org
Head of Communication

Kathy Lopez, k.lopez@cgiar.org
Corporate Communications Consultant

Communication Office
IITA - Headquarters
Ibadan, Nigeria
URL: www.iita.org

About IITA
Africa has complex problems that plague agriculture and people's lives. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty. Our award winning research for development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We work with partners in Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is an international non-profit R4D organization since 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the CGIAR.