News Overview

The IITA Youth in Agribusiness Unit (IYA) won the esteemed Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) in the ‘Best Communication Programme Supporting Emerging Projects & Youth’ category recently. The award event held on September 11 at the United Arab Emirates, is organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau. The IYA emerged winner along other strong contenders, including the Sharjah Media City — Shams (UAE), and the Ministry of

A high-level delegation from Madagascar visited IITA–CGIAR during 8 – 12 September, on an immersion mission to explore the Institute’s cutting-edge agricultural technologies, research programs, and innovations. The delegation identified innovative technologies suitable to support the country’s agricultural transformation agenda. The mission reflects the country’s vision to transform its agricultural systems to become the “Breadbasket of the Indian Ocean.” The 9-member delegation

In a prestigious recognition of his expertise in banana, Professor Rony Swennen, a scientist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)/CGIAR, has been appointed as a visiting professor at the Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China. This honorary title was conferred upon Rony during a recent visit to China upon invitation by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural

In today’s world, data is everywhere, but finding the right information is often a challenge. Production statistics, trade data and research outputs are scattered across multiple platforms, making the search process time-consuming and challenging. To address this, the Alliance Crop Observatories were created as a platform to integrate as much official data as possible. The observatories collect, process, and

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas ICARDA and its national partners in Tunisia engaged in a comprehensive dialogue with private sector entities specializing in manufacturing and trade of small mechanization, along with farmers’ organizations and representatives, to explore potential pathways and identify priority actions necessary to formulate national strategic plans. A high-level national workshop titled “Petite

By Eliot Jones-Garcia, Kristin Davis, and Niyati Singaraju October 7, 2025 Generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) is gaining traction in agriculture. Conversational agents such as chatbots and voice assistants are being explored as digital extension solutions, promising scalable, personalized advice for farmers that can supplement and support the work of human extension agents. Yet designing and deploying such AI tools presents many

(Image generated by AI) By Varunseelan Murugaiyan and Glenn Concepcion  The global food system is facing unprecedented pressures. Rising production costs, chronic labor shortages, dwindling natural resources, and accelerating climate change are forcing agriculture to adapt. Many scientists and policymakers look to the Fourth Agricultural Revolution, called Agriculture 4.0, which aims to integrate digital technologies into farming. Agriculture 3.0, the

More than half of the world’s population could be living with overweight or obesity by 2035, with a rapidly growing share in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is also estimated that the global economic impact could top US$4 trillion by that time. These trends are closely tied to the rise of obesogenic food environments; settings where unhealthy food options are cheap,