Across Ghana’s cocoa belt, the rhythm of the rains is no longer reliable. Once-predictable wet and dry seasons have given way to longer dry spells, hotter harmattan months, and sudden, intense downpours. For cocoa farmers, this “climate whiplash” is not just an inconvenience; it is a direct threat to their yields, which are projected to decline by 5% in the
Nigeria, Africa’s fourth-largest economy and a key food producer, is launching the Presidential Soil Health Initiative to strengthen the sustainable development of agriculture. Spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and backed by technical partners like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the initiative aims to revolutionize soil fertility management and boost national sustainable food
In September 2025, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) showcased its latest innovations and strategies at Tropentag 2025 conference in Bonn (Germany) under the theme “IITA Innovating for Resilience and Impact: Scaling Solutions for Sustainable African Agriculture.” The event featured IITA expert presentations addressing critical challenges African agriculture faces from climate change, pests, soil degradation, and the urgent need
Scientists from The James Hutton Institute have introduced two new potato varieties to Kenya, which are now included in Kenya’s National Variety List. The project was a collaboration with the University of St Andrews, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Potato Center (CIP), and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), as well as the Kenya Plant
Togo’s farmers struggle with poor soils and declining yields. The reason: low awareness of nutrients status of soils and inefficient fertilizer use. A regional initiative is helping smallholder farmers in Togo farm fertile ground again. The Regional Hub in West Africa and the Sahel is driving a fresh initiative to improve fertility and soil health by promoting efficient fertilizer use
Lomé hosted a three-day workshop to advance and promote Togo’s Soil Information System (SIS), known as FertiTogo. The SIS provides information on soil fertility maps, which is valuable for ensuring sustainable farming and boosting food security. The Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel organized the workshop from June 17 to 19, 2025. They
Nairobi, 21 July 2025 (IITA) – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is deploying advanced data and AI driven modelling to boost soil nutrient management, soil health and improve farmer productivity in West Africa, a region experiencing recurrent nutrient depletion due to unsustainable farming practices and injudicious fertilizer use. Crops remove essential nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium
Nairobi, 27 June 2025 (IITA) – As it marks its first anniversary, the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel is set to roll out game-changing digital soil maps and tools to transform smallholder farming, build climate resilience and bolster food security. Most African farming systems are characterised by poor crop yields as a