News Overview

Yet, for many small-scale producers – especially those cultivating neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as moringa, okra, roselle, sweet potato and Bambara groundnut – this information has long been missing. Traditional market monitoring systems in Niger and across West Africa typically focus on major staple crops. As a result, local and underutilized species remain invisible in market data, limiting opportunities for informed production and investment decisions. A recent

For scientists, joining the IPCC is a rare opportunity. Every few years, thousands of researchers are nominated, but only a select few are invited to serve as Lead Authors, responsible for distilling the latest scientific evidence from across the world into findings that can steer international policy. The reports shape everything from the Paris Agreement to national climate strategies, influencing

When you picture the Mediterranean’s blue economy—encompassing its vibrant fisheries and aquaculture—what’s the first image that springs to mind? For most, it’s a classic scene of fishermen hauling nets on a weathered boat. But if we widen the lens, a more complex narrative comes into focus. From the lively fish markets of Egypt to the extensive coastlines of Morocco, it

In a renewed effort to combat post-harvest losses and ensure safe food systems, IITA-CGIAR, and the TAAT Clearinghouse in collaboration with SASAKAWA Africa Association, has trained extension agents and maize lead farmers on improved post-harvest handling, grain quality, and aflatoxin management. The two-day workshop, held on 9–10 October 2025, at the Agricultural Development Program (ADP) office in Lafia, Nasarawa state,

At the 4th African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) Conference, held from October 6th to 8th, 2025, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Omotola Dorcas Olaoye, a doctoral research fellow at the IITA-CGIAR, and a member of the International Association of Research Scholars and Fellows (IARSAF), was honored with the prestigious National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB), African Plant Breeders Association (APBA), Norman

On  4 October 2025, the IITA Research Farm in Shika, Samaru, Zaria, came alive with activities as researchers, seed company representatives (Premier Seeds, EcoBasics Seed, Value Seed, Techni Seeds, and other partners like Olam, Nigeria Flour Mills, gathered for a field walk to experience the impact of research first-hand. Rows of lush soybean, maize, and cowpea plants stretched across the

In an era when the challenges of food security, climate change, and sustainable agriculture continue to define global priorities, stakeholders in the plant science space gathered for an engaging mini-symposium that offered deep insights into how innovation in plant science and research can shape the future of agriculture and food systems in Africa and beyond. The hybrid mini-symposium themed; “Plant

by Mahesh Jampani, Karthikeyan Matheswaran, Dipaka Ranjan Sena, Manoranjan Mondal, Shreya Chakraborthy, Deepa Joshi As part of CGIAR’s Scaling for Impact program and Area of Work 2- scaling pathways in agrifood systems, the effort supports the water management practices at the landscape level and scaling of adaptive and data-driven irrigation advisory services for managing salinity in polders towards resilient agriculture