The region of Behara, located in the district of Amboasary Sud, faces considerable challenges due to inconsistent rainfall. The Grand South region of Madagascar, is experiencing one of the worst droughts in the last 40 years, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Crop failures have left about 75% of the population of Amboasary Atsimo – a town of almost 50.000 people
TraceFoodChain is a pioneering tool designed to help farmers, cooperatives, and supply chain actors—working across their own data and information systems—trace agricultural products from farm to market. The software provides a cost-effective option for smallholder farmers, supporting their access to global markets, with a special focus on enabling compliance with the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) by the end
Since 2002, the Rwandan government, with support from partners like the World Food Program (WFP), has been providing school meals school going children through the national school feeding program. This initiative aims to improve nutrition, combat hunger, and enhance educational outcomes for children across the country. However, despite its success, challenges remain—particularly in ensuring that schools have the knowledge
The effort to transform the value chains received a boost following the launch of Growing Together – Value Chain Transformation Program, Ethiopia at a colorful ceremony held at Haile Grand Hotel, Addis Ababa Ethiopia, on Thursday 20 February 2025. The launch of the Ethiopia Program follows a similar launch of the Tanzania component in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania in November
Since 2022, the implementation of STIBs in Nakuru county through collaboration between CGIAR initiatives, KALRI, the County Department of Agriculture and local farmer organizations has enhanced climate resilience, improved crop productivity, and gender equality. Men and women who adopted STIBs reported greater decision-making roles and household food security. Specifically, HER+ integration of increased women’s decision-making in Ukama Ustawi farm demonstration
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) joins the global agricultural and development community in mourning the passing of Dr Kanayo F. Nwanze, former President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and a towering figure in Africa’s agricultural transformation. Dr Nwanze dedicated his life to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, advocating for sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering youth engagement in agribusiness.
Aflatoxin contamination remains a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), threatening food and feed safety, public health, and trade. Farmers, industries, and policymakers need effective, scalable solutions to protect staple crops such as maize, groundnut, and sorghum from aflatoxin. One of the most promising innovations is biocontrol using native, atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains—applied in the field to outcompete toxin-producing fungi. While small-scale
The IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, recently embarked on a strategic mission to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, reinforcing partnerships and fostering collaboration to drive agrifood transformation across Africa. During his visit, Dr Ehui engaged in high-level discussions with key stakeholders in agriculture and food security. He met with the Sierra Leone Ambassador to Nigeria, H.