News Overview

Since 2015, Nigeria’s public cassava breeding program, led by IITA in collaboration with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), has focused on developing new cassava varieties to cater to the diverse needs of cassava users across the value chain. A key aspect of this initiative has been identifying gender-specific traits preferences, ensuring that breeding decisions optimally align with the unique priorities of

In its continued commitment to conserving Nigeria’s threatened and endangered native trees, the IITA Forest Center recently embarked on another strategic round of seed collection. This activity, part of the Center’s conservation mission, focused on enriching the live gene bank at its Tree Heritage Park, popularly known as The Noah’s Ark. It also aimed to expand the number of propagation protocols in the Manual

The ENABLE TAAT initiative is committed to equipping Kenyan youth with the tools and opportunities needed to launch and grow successful agribusinesses. ENABLE TAAT has created pathways for youth who have completed agribusiness training but lack the capital to start their ventures by linking young agripreneurs with key organizations in Makueni County and beyond. The World Food Program (WFP) has been one of the

In a significant step toward enhancing agricultural research and food security in São Tomé and Príncipe, IITA–CGIAR recently hosted four staff members from the National Research Institute of São Tomé and Príncipe (CIAT-STP) for a comprehensive one-month training program. The initiative, held at IITA headquarters in Ibadan, was part of the ongoing collaboration with the COMPRAN project formalized in August 2024, which aims to enhance crop

In a small village near Bonga, in Southwest Ethiopia, smallholder farmers rely on a mix of crop production and livestock to support their livelihoods. In this landscape, shaped by tradition, a woman in her sixties is leading change through ICARDA’s Community-Based Breeding Program (CBBP). Ayelech, whose name means “she became victorious,” has become a symbol of perseverance and possibility

The CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes (MFL) Science Program envisions landscapes that are biodiverse, productive, resilient, and low in emissions. In the 2025 season, the program is actively implementing interventions in several countries, building upon the work and successes of previous CGIAR Initiatives including Agroecology, Nature Positive Solutions, Work Package 3 of the Livestock and Climate Initiative, and the Environmental Health and

On 20 May 2025, over 100 industry experts gathered at the Hotel Golden Carthage Gammarth for the Consultation Workshop: Strengthening Tunisia’s Innovation Ecosystem for Climate-resilient Agriculture. This event showcased the pivotal role of research, technology, and entrepreneurship in driving sustainable and resilient agriculture in Tunisia.

A new WorldFish short film spotlights an innovative school feeding pilot in Assam, India. The project added powdered small fish to school meals, helping tackle child malnutrition using locally available aquatic foods. Read more