During its virtual 2022 third quarter meeting on 16 September, the IITA Gender Science Network (GSN) highlighted some of the gender research activities that network members have carried out in the past couple of months. Members tracked progress and exchanged new ideas for better gender integration into the work that members do in the Institute. IITA Gender Specialist and GSN Coordinator, Steven Cole,
With growing concerns around food and nutrition security globally due to the Ukraine−Russia war, there is also an increased need for improving food systems through research. With a mandate to transform agriculture and increase food production sustainably, IITA–CGIAR researchers are consistently delivering technologies that impact the livelihood of smallholder farmers. Using genetic engineering and selective breeding, IITA-CGIAR is developing a wide range
Three delegates from LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited visited IITA–CGIAR on 22 September. Their goal was to explore collaboration with IITA in tree planting and agroforestry to enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The inclusive tree-planting initiative would aim to improve the livelihoods of their local beneficiaries. The team was welcomed by Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D), Kenton Dashiell; DDG Corporate Services, Hilde
A delegation from the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Nigeria, led by the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, HE Pascal Gouba, accompanied by Second Counsellor Desire Sawadogo and Head of Protocol, Zakaria Sambare, visited IITA to discuss their country’s interest in partnering with the Institute. The proposal for a collaborative partnership with IITA follows IITA’s mission trip to some government ministries in Burkina
As part of activities under the Accelerated Breeding (ABI) and Market Intelligence and Product Profiling (MIPPI) initiatives, IITA–CGIAR, in conjunction with the Accelerated Varietal Improvement and Seed Delivery of Legumes and Cereals in Africa (AVISA), AFRICA YAM and NEXTGEN Cassava Project, organized a three-day Gender-Responsive Breeding training. The training, held at IITA headquarters from 21 to 23 September, enlightened plant breeders from IITA and
The IITA-led Zero Hunger Initiative (ZHI), funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), organized a three-day, mid-term review of the Agricultural Transformation in the Nigerian Federal States and Togolese Regions towards achieving Zero Hunger Project in three states in Nigeria and two regions in Togo. The meeting took place from 22 to 24 September at IITA’s Ibadan headquarters and appraised
Cassava, a perennial woody shrub with an edible root, is one of IITA–CGIAR’s mandate crops and a major staple crop in Africa. It is available in different varieties that possess characteristics suitable for numerous food preferences and delicacies. One of the widely consumed delicacies of cassava is gari or garri as it is known in several African countries. Gari is a roasted, fermented cassava grit, soaked in
Food processors in Libreville, Gabon, recently participated in a training on the use of provitamin A rich plantain flour to alleviate Vitamin A deficiency in vulnerable groups. IITA-Cameroon Visiting Scientist Apollin Fotso Kuate led the workshop, which took place on 30 September under the framework of the project—Enhancing nutritional quality of plantain food products through improved access to endophyte primed and high provitamin