News Overview

Breakthrough study identifies varieties and key genes to halt sprouting before harvest in groundnut due to unseasonal rains. Unpredictable rains pose a serious threat to groundnut farmers, with pre-harvest sprouting causing significant losses. Spanish groundnut varieties, representing nearly 60% of global production, are particularly vulnerable. Premature germination triggered by early rains can reduce yields by 10–20%, and up to 50%

A new film showcases how the Crop Science Centre (CSC)’s collaboration with partners in the global south is pioneering sustainable solutions in agriculture to feed the world and improve lives. The film will be premiered at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) taking place in Belém, Brazil in November 2025. It shows how CSC’s partnerships with breeders and farmers are

In a landmark move to deepen its presence in the country, IITA–CGIAR has officially opened its Liberia Country Office in Monrovia, following the launch of the project. The new office, launched on 22 October 2025, alongside the Soils4Liberia Project, marks a major step toward enhancing agricultural research, innovation, and partnerships in the country. The establishment of the Liberia office further underscores IITA’s

As part of efforts to reinforce partnership and policy engagement, IITA–CGIAR joined the government and partners in Malawi to commemorate the joint African Day for Food and Nutrition Security and World Food Day. Exhibitions and presentations by IITA-CGIAR were tailored to promote Aflasafe to control aflatoxins – food safety and nutrition), and the consumption of alternative underutilized crops of cassava, soybean, and

The IITA–CGIAR Project Development and Administration Unit (IITA–PDAU) recently participated in the 2025 Afe Babalola Agricultural Exposition (ABAEX), held from 2 to 4 October at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). The three-day event, themed, “Harnessing the power of cooperatives for sustainable agricultural development,” brought together farmers from across the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State, alongside researchers, students, policymakers, and development

The IITA–CGIAR Director General Dr Simeon Ehui, has called for increased youth involvement in agriculture, stating that this is crucial in addressing the challenges of hunger, poverty, and youth unemployment in Africa. Speaking in Abeokuta recently at the networking conference organized by the Youth in Agribusiness, “Enabling scaling of innovative technologies for sustainable food solutions,” also known as YAS Project, Dr Ehui,

The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI) in partnership with IITA–CGIAR demonstrated the impact of cutting-edge agricultural research and innovation in national food security during this year’s World Food Day celebration, held in Kambia District recently. The two-day national event, themed “Hand in hand for better food and a better future,” brought together farmers, researchers, development partners, and policymakers to display progress

The recent IITA–CGIAR Knowledge Café seminar, held on 4 November, was an insightful session. The session featured Professor Brian Diers, a leading soybean geneticist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, who shared practical insights on “Lessons to improve African breeding success” by leveraging lessons learned from the United States soybean-breeding context. Introducing the guest speaker, Dr Abush Abebe, IITA Soybean