IITA–CGIAR welcomed a US congressional delegation led by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey to the IITA Eastern Africa Hub offices in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The visit highlighted the impactful work of US government-funded projects, particularly focusing on combating the Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and managing aflatoxin using the biocontrol Aflasafe.
The visit provided firsthand learning of the efforts dedicated to enhancing food security, ensuring food safety, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Tanzania. The delegation had the opportunity to witness innovative solutions being developed to address these challenges.
George Mahuku, IITA Plant Pathologist and the lead of the two projects, noted that IITA, with other research institutes and development organizations, is working to understand the emerging and invasive diseases that affect plants and cause food insecurity in the region.