News Overview

Researchers from the J. Craig Venter Institute, the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have developed a reverse genetics system for the African swine fever virus. This new system will aid researchers in developing vaccines and in studying the pathogenesis and biology of African swine fever, a highly contagious, deadly viral disease affecting domesticated and wild pigs, especially

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is pleased to announce that Steven Were Omamo has been appointed IFPRI’s Director for Africa. Dr. Omamo will also continue to serve as IFPRI’s Director of the Development Strategies and Governance Unit (DSG). Based in IFPRI’s Nairobi, Kenya office, Omamo joined IFPRI in October 2024. “We are delighted that Were has been appointed to

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam (12 March 2025) – A highlight of the AGRITECHNICA ASIA 2025, a seminar on Viet Green, High Quality, and Low Emission Rice Value Chain was organized by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with the Department of International Cooperation (ICD) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA),

Dodoma, Tanzania, December 10 to 12, 2024 — The Accelerated Variety Turnover for Open-pollinated Crops project (ACCELERATE) held its annual planning meeting from December 10-12, 2024, at the Nashera Hotel in Dodoma, Tanzania. This event brought together key stakeholders to review progress and strategize for the upcoming year. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), ACCELERATE is a four-year

A study by UPLB, IRRI, and DA-BAR explored alternative dissemination actors to expand the reach of Rice Crop Manager, a web-based application that guides farmers with crop management practices best suited for their rice fields. The project’s key findings were recently featured in a seminar hosted by IRRI’s Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS) Department. The Rice Crop Manager’s

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, conducted a two-week international training on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) from 17-29 March 2025. The program fostered South-South collaboration and cross-learning among 33 professionals from 16 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin

By Gabriela Fretes and Jef L. Leroy April 3, 2025 What do children and teens see when they scroll through Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube? Beyond viral videos, livestreams, and influencer content, food and beverage marketing has become increasingly common on social media. Unlike traditional print or television advertisements, digital marketing is highly personalized, allowing brands to create interactive experiences that are especially

Every harvest season in Malawi, the impact of crop losses is felt by farmers, who rely on their harvests for survival. The floors of grain warehouses tell a grim tale: mountains of maize, beans or groundnuts devoured by tiny, relentless pests. At the national level, the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) loses millions of Malawian Kwachas in food reserves. Whilst