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Published on
13.11.25
With one successful year down, the Yam Optimized Architecture through Gene Editing (YOAGE) project team convened in Nairobi for its annual review meeting. The gathering brought together colleagues from IITA–CGIAR and project partners from Pairwise, USA, to assess the progress made and chart the path forward. Dr Nic Bate, Senior Program Officer from the Gates Foundation, also joined in to listen to the milestones achieved so far and advise on future planning, aligning with the foundation’s strategy.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the team to present updates on ongoing work, exchange insights on technical progress, and strengthen collaborative efforts between the teams. It also featured a visit to IITA’s biotechnology facilities in Nairobi, where participants viewed ongoing gene editing research and interacted with the scientists behind the work.
Dr Leena Tripathi, IITA’s Director for Eastern Africa Hub and Leader of the Biotechnology Program, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments. “It’s inspiring to see how far we’ve come in just one year. The commitment from all the team members of IITA and Pairwise has been incredible,” she said. “Beyond the science, this project is about creating tangible solutions that will make yam farming more productive and sustainable for African farmers.”