In line with IITA’s public-private sector engagement agenda to improve the livelihood of millions of Africans, strengthen food and nutrition security, and transform the agricultural sector, the institute received the former Minister of Agriculture in Equatorial Guinea (2016-2018), H.E. Victor Grange at the headquarters in Ibadan from 9 to 10 January. His visit was centered on exploring potential partnerships with IITA to
In alignment with IITA’s longstanding vision of transforming agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, the institute recently hosted a delegation from the Food System Resilience Project (FSRP), based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The delegation, comprising farmers’ representatives from various districts in Sierra Leone, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, project leads, and FSRP technical staff, visited IITA on January 16 to explore potential areas
In the heart of southwestern Nigeria, cassava farming remains a cornerstone of agriculture, supporting livelihoods and ensuring food security. A recent study delved into the practices of cassava farmers in Wasimi, a community in Ogun State revealing a fascinating blend of traditional knowledge and scientific parallels in assessing soil quality and predicting crop yield. The study carried out by researchers from IITA–CGIAR and the Federal
Aquatic foods, sourced from inland and marine fisheries or cultivated through aquaculture, are vital pillars for global food security, poverty alleviation, and economic development. Across the world, millions of people depend on these aquatic food systems (AFS) for their livelihoods and sustenance. However, these systems are facing growing threats from human activities. Overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and the worsening impacts
IITA–CGIAR, in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, is making significant strides in agricultural development through the Ogun State Farmer Information Management System (OGFIMS) initiative. This initiative, funded by the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) sponsored by the World Bank, aims to modernize the agricultural sector by leveraging technology and data-driven strategies. On 13 December, a review retreat
The IITA Youth in Agribusiness (YAS) project has donated various farming equipment and inputs to no fewer than 400 young farmers in Kano State. These donations were additional support to the participants, who had previously been trained in the value chain of various agricultural commodities, including poultry, horticulture, and aquaculture. With funding support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of
The Food and Nutrition Science Laboratory (FNSL) unit of IITA–CGIAR commits to ensuring food and nutrition security on the continent by harnessing the potential of IITA mandate crops and underutilized legumes. This is coming at a critical time, as Africa’s wheat imports have been rising at an annual rate of 9%, with East and West Africa being the highest importers. The continent’s
The Embassy of Ireland in Malawi has stressed the need for strengthened collaboration to improve seed systems, technology development, market linkages, value addition, and food and nutrition activities in the ongoing phase of the RTC-MARKET Project in Malawi. The embassy and various project partners were visiting IITA–CGIAR in Malawi on a joint field visit to appreciate cassava activities under the Root and