Science, research, and innovation are essential to accelerate the transformation to healthier, more sustainable, more equitable, and more resilient food systems. What scientific innovations are needed and how they can inform related policies were among the issues discussed at the recent Science Days, a virtual conference organized by the Scientific Group as a prelude to the UN Food Systems Summit.
Malnutrition is a challenge in Africa, and the limited availability of data about its severity makes it more difficult to address. Data gathering methods and frameworks are demonstrably inadequate, and failing infrastructure hinders effective data collection logistics. Researchers from IITA, the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, University of California, Davis (UC-Davis), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the
The Modified Relative Dose Response (MRDR) test is being conducted as part of the ongoing national nutritional survey organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria in conjunction with IITA and other partners. The MRDR test assesses the vitamin A status of people. Participants from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones were trained to carry out the test on the field during a
IITA has commenced a 3-year participatory research project to identify transformative approaches to indigenous women and young people’s engagement in integrated livelihood and conservation initiatives. The project titled “Transformative approaches to livelihood and conservation: Learning from indigenous women and youth—IWY (TALC)” aims to investigate the impact of existing livelihood and conservation efforts on indigenous forest-dependent women and youth (Baka and Bagyeli)
The Assistant Director for Technical Cooperation at the President’s Office, Public Service Management (POPSM), Mr Msafiri Marwa, has commended IITA Tanzania for its research efforts in transforming agriculture in Tanzania. Msafiri said this when he led a POPSM delegation to IITA-Eastern Africa hub offices in July in Mikocheni, Dar es salaam. The objective of the visit was to familiarize themselves with IITA
In improving banana production in East Africa countries, researchers are multiplying and testing for the adoption of NARITA hybrid varieties that are high yielding and resistant to Black Sigatoka disease in Kenya. Banana is the third most important food after maize and rice, with an annual production of 1.5 million tons, lower than the 4.4 million in Uganda and 4
Crop Trust and the CGIAR Genebank Platform have recognized four staff from the IITA Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) and Virology Unit with the “Outstanding Genebank Team” award for 2021. This accolade acknowledges the overall achievements and contributions of GHU and, specifically, the “Legume Seed Health Testing and Phytosanitation” Team that ensured the genebank operations were uninhibited during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period in 2020.
The Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigeria Universities (ADAN) has honored IITA Director General Dr Nteranya Sanginga with an Award of Excellence for successfully pioneering the IITA Youth in Agribusiness program. The award was presented during the 64th annual general meeting of ADAN held recently in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. “We are proud of the impact of the work that IITA has been doing,