Bridging continents with yam: Australian delegates visit IITA for knowledge exchange

A spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and cultural connection defined the recent visit of four Australian delegates to IITA from 7-11 July. The team, led by Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Director of Scientific Nutrition and Food Systems, University of Queensland, Australia, enjoyed a weeklong interactive exchange focused on deepening understanding of yam research and exploring innovative strategies to enhance yam production and utilization within Australia, particularly among Indigenous communities.

What began as initial conversations between research colleagues across continents became robust interactions across multiple IITA teams, offering the Australian delegation a rich, firsthand exploration of yam breeding, production, and value addition at IITA.

The IITA Director for Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff, Ibnou Dieng, and the Acting Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery, Dr Tahirou Abdoulaye, welcomed the delegates on behalf of IITA Management. They stressed the economic importance and the opportunities to explore yam breeding at IITA. “The objective is really to take yams to higher heights. Let’s make this happen together,” said Dr Abdoulaye, emphasizing yams’ role in regional economies and their untapped potential globally.

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