News Overview

A group of production managers from Rwandan seed companies recently embarked on a transformative journey to Nigeria, seeking to revolutionize seed production in their home country. With the pressing need for high-quality, climate-resilient maize seeds, IITA–CGIAR, in collaboration with Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Board (RAB) and the National Seed Consortium, facilitated an immersive training program to bridge the gap between research outputs

The session, moderated by IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa Dr Simeon Ehui, spotlighted successful strategies implemented during Dr Jonathan’s administration to address food insecurity and strengthen agrifood systems in Nigeria. Organized by CGIAR in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Science Week aims to catalyze global action on food security and climate resilience. It brings

LOS BAÑOS, PHILIPPINES (March 12, 2025) – Bacterial panicle blight (BPB), caused by the seed-borne and seed-transmitted pathogen Burkholderia glumae , is an emerging threat to rice production. Aside from yield losses, which can result in up to 70%, BPB also poses significant risks to seed production, international seed trade, and biodiversity. Although its prevalence remained low for many

In transforming African agriculture, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is tapping into cutting-edge genome editing tools to fast-track crop improvement. With technologies like CRISPR at its core, IITA is pioneering a new era in plant breeding—where precision, speed, and innovation are driving the development of resilient, high-yielding crops tailored for the continent’s toughest challenges. For decades, conventional breeding

In this opinion editorial for IRRI’s 65th Anniversary, IRRI Regional Director for Africa Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail and IRRI Country Representative for Uganda and Gender and Livelihoods Research Leader Dr. Jummai Yila explain that sub-Saharan Africa is capable of being rice self-sufficient, but it necessitates continued partnerships with both public and private sectors, a bold and targeted policy reform, and investment

CGIAR is delighted to announce that CGIAR Executive Managing Director, Ismahane Elouafi has been named on the 2025  TIME100 list of the worlds 100 most influential people. Each year TIME100 celebrates activists, leaders, science experts, and artists shaping the future of our world and transforming lives. This prestigious distinction celebrates how Elouafi’s visionary leadership in shaping agricultural innovation strengthens the livelihoods

Stronger institutional partnerships and knowledge co-creation will accelerate the digital agricultural revolution towards global food security, according to speakers at a side event on digital agriculture during the inaugural CGIAR Science Week that took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 7–11 April 2025. Digital agriculture is the use of digital tools to collect, analyze, and share data and information in agriculture

Nairobi, Kenya – March 26, 2025 – Dr. Hugo Campos from the International Potato Center (CIP), a CGIAR research center, has been recognized by the International Society for Tropical Root and Tuber Crops – Africa Branch (ISTRC-AB) at its Symposium 2025 held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for its outstanding contributions to the development and promotion of root, tuber, and banana