IITA researchers and breeders gain insight into GPR technology

Enhancing efforts in developing agricultural technologies is key to revolutionizing the agriculture sector. Such innovations can significantly reduce losses caused by plant diseases and empower smallholder farmers to make informed decisions throughout the production process.

Prof. Amal El-Ghazaly from Cornell University delivered a powerful seminar and valuable insights to the IITA–CGIAR breeders and scientists on “Sensing underground crops to understand the interdependence of food, agriculture, and climate.”  She introduced ground penetrating radar (GPR), an innovative technology for monitoring underground crop growth at all stages. This technology will help boost Cassava productivity and ensure food security.

While introducing this technology to participants, she noted, “I am sure you all wonder how exactly you see what is in the ground. How do you monitor a crop that is growing underneath the soil surface? And ideally, can we do that without destroying or uprooting the crop? There are many ways to detect properties in the soil, and they are used in different contexts based on their environment. But what we use is what is called ground-penetrating radar (GPR).

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