News Overview

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.

Over the years, IITA has played a vital role in empowering women and girls, particularly in science. Through extensive training and mentorship programs for MSc and PhD research students, the Institute has significantly shaped the career paths of many young women in science. These efforts have amplified their voices in scientific research and contributed meaningfully to food security in Africa. To celebrate

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Director of Agriculture and Agro-Industry, Dr Martin Fregene, paid a working visit to IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, at the institute’s headquarters in Ibadan recently. He also visited the Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub for West Africa and the Sahel, launched in June 2024. The Regional Hub for

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

By Carlo Azzarri, Beliyou Haile, and Sedi-Anne Boukaka February 24, 2025 Sustainable agricultural development has long been heralded as a vital pathway to alleviating poverty and hunger in Africa, where smallholder farming predominates across diverse landscapes and local conditions changing due to climate impacts and other factors. Sustainable intensification (SI) approaches—tailored to local conditions—offer a range of farming techniques designed