IITA is renowned for its strong partnerships with both the public and private sectors, with the aim to transform African agriculture. On 6 November, the institute had the pleasure of hosting the Head of Research and Innovation at L’Oréal, Philippe Rapold. During his visit to IITA’s headquarters, he met with experts, toured the institute’s facilities, and discussed potential areas of collaboration between
For two transformative weeks, the IITA–CGIAR Plantain Breeding Program welcomed a team from NIHORT, marking a new chapter in advancing plantain and banana production for food security across Nigeria and Africa. The training, held from 28 October to 8 November, was designed to create a skilled professional base capable of undertaking the activities in the different stages of the plantain breeding pipeline to
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and IITA co-organized a side event under the Zero Hunger Project at the 52nd Committee on World Food Security (CFS) session on 25 October at FAO headquarters in Rome. This event highlighted the crucial role of policy frameworks in facilitating technology trials, scaling innovations, and building cross-sector partnerships to address food security. Speakers included representatives from diverse
IITA-Yam Breeding Program engaged yam farmers from across southwest Nigeria in hands-on seedling and farm management training recently. This practical approach was designed to enhance smallholder farmers’ knowledge and skills on modern techniques, new technologies, and best agronomy practices to maximize land space and increase yield and income. The training, which took place between 17 and 18 October 2024, allowed
During the recent celebration of this year’s World Food Day, global leaders, researchers, and young advocates gathered at the historic Balcony Hall of Hohenheim Palace to champion the theme, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future.” This year’s event, focused on Building Sustainable and Resilient Agri-Food Systems, was hosted by the University of Hohenheim, drawing a
On 11 October, IITA–CGIAR welcomed a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the Fertilizer and Soil Health Regional Hub for West Africa and the Sahel at the Institute’s headquarters in Ibadan. The delegation was warmly received by Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D) Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General, Research for Development (DDG-R4D) Bernard Vanlauwe, and other members of
At a recent webinar organized by Images Initiative in collaboration with Carbon Offset Programme – Africa (COP-Africa), Olukunle Olasupo, Field Supervisor at IITA Forest Center, shed light on the untapped potential of Nigeria’s indigenous trees. Emphasizing these species’ economic and ecological importance, Olasupo encouraged participants to embrace native trees as cultural assets and practical resources for sustainable development. Olasupo began by highlighting
On 7 and 8 November 2024, IITA–CGIAR hosted the “Expert consultation workshop on addressing phytosanitary bottlenecks to improve germplasm exchange in Africa” at its headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including Heads of Quarantine Agencies from nine African nations (Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe), representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization Regional