With recent outbreaks in Tanzania and Uganda, banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) emerged as a significant threat to banana crops in East Africa. The disease, caused by the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), can lead to yield losses of 70 to 90% in the first season, with subsequent seasons seeing no bananas produced. Recent surveys have revealed the devastating consequences
A delegation led by Robert Bertram, USAID’s Chief Scientist at the Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security, during a recent visit to Rwanda and Burundi, has lauded the remarkable progress achieved and the early impact made by partners in fifteen months of implementing the AID-I GLR project. While witnessing the project’s early impact, Bertram stated, “The dedication and innovation
Citizen science projects are increasing globally, especially in Africa. Citizen science in ornithology employs the participation of public volunteers and nature enthusiasts to collect data about birds. Seventeen APLORI-trained researchers, including IITA Forest Center Manager Adewale Awoyemi, report the invaluable contributions of citizen science volunteers in this new scientific paper. As part of the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NiBAP), their works mitigate the lack of
On 13 May, the University of Ibadan (UI) held a public lecture titled “Recent experiences at IITA to improve the impact of research on improving food systems in Nigeria.” IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery (DDG-P4D), Kenton Dashiell, was the guest lecturer. The lecture focused on promoting food security, sustainable development, and resilience and empowering communities to build future generations. In
IITA–CGIAR Emeritus Scientist and Senior Plant Pathologist Ranajit Bandyopadhyay has been ranked the 828th Best Scientist worldwide and the 76th in the United Kingdom for 2024. This prestigious recognition is from Research.com, a leading academic platform that profiles the best researchers, scientists, schools, and papers to enhance research reach and intelligent decisions across the globe. Bandyopadhyay’s immense contribution to Plant Science and
In a move to align research activities and innovation scaling within the CGIAR in Africa, WorldFish Center Director General and CGIAR Senior Director of Aquatic Food Systems Essam Yassin Mohammed met with IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa Dr Simeon Ehui at IITA headquarters in Ibadan. With WorldFish exploring the expansion of research efforts in aquatic food systems on the continent, discussions during the
Cassava, known for its versatility and resilience, offers numerous opportunities for value addition, transforming it from a basic staple into a valuable commodity. Value addition in cassava involves processing it into various products, increasing its economic value and marketability. The IITA-Malawi Cassava Unit organized Cassava Chat every Friday to educate and enrich staff’s knowledge of cassava. Given the changing climate
The Ministry of Agriculture of Tanzania, in collaboration with the Tanzania Cassava Producers and Processors Association (TACAPPA), IITA, and AGRA – Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems, organized a cassava business and investment forum in Dodoma on 29 April. The event aimed to engage stakeholders, especially private-sector cassava producers, seed producers, researchers, and policymakers, to foster insightful discussions on promoting cassava in food systems