News Overview

When agricultural innovation endures beyond a project’s lifespan, it symbolizes true transformation. In Ogun State, Nigeria, a lead farmer’s consistent use of IITA’s AKILIMO recommendations has not only improved productivity but also earned formal recognition from the Ogun State Government and Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, Executive Director of the Rural Outreach Program and renowned advocate for women’s empowerment through agriculture. Prof.

Every year, UN climate negotiations pull together more than diplomats and ministers. They convene scientists, Indigenous leaders, civil society advocates, journalists and development practitioners — all united by a shared truth: the scale of the climate crisis demands collective action rooted in evidence and experience.

For the first time, researchers have compiled decades of resilience science research into “Nine Things Every Decision Maker Should Know About Resilience.” But what is resilience, and why should decision-makers be interested in learning from this report? The term “resilience” is widely used today in personal and socio-ecological contexts. Although it has been studied by scientists for decades, for a

Join Sandra Milach discussing the legacy of the Borlaug Dialogue in making food systems resilient. Sandra Milach at the Seeds of Insight series

by Melanie Connor, Alexis Ndayiragije, Joseph Bigirimana The Republic of Burundi lies in the center of East Africa and has emerged as a pivotal player in advancing regional food security through the strategic activities of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Since the establishment of the IRRI Regional Crop Improvement Hub in Bujumbura in 2013, it has become a center

The third cohort of the Africa Plant Breeding Academy (AfPBA) CRISPR Course has officially graduated, marking another milestone in strengthening Africa’s capacity for advanced crop improvement technologies. This cohort hosted eleven scientists from five African countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The training, hosted at the IITA–CGIAR Biotechnology Platform in Nairobi, on the ILRI campus and at CIFOR-ICRAF, is part of a

At the IITA Forest Center, sustainability goes beyond conserving trees to creating opportunities that allow forest communities to thrive. The Forest Center continues to explore innovative, profitable, and environmentally sustainable ventures that transform non-timber forest products into viable livelihoods. These efforts directly support several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Decent Work and

The world came together on 16 October 2025 to commemorate World Food Day under the theme, “Hand in hand for better foods and a better future.” The theme was a call for collective action to strengthen food systems and value chains, making food affordable, healthy, and accessible to all. In Zambia, IITA–CGIAR hosted a vibrant food fair that brought together key players