News Overview

Rwanda’s agricultural transformation has prioritized improving seed systems to enhance food security and farmer livelihoods. The reliance on seed importation is gradually decreasing, with more efforts focusing on local seed production. The Rwanda hybrid maize seed industry is still young, facing challenges, like limited skills, land scarcity, climate change, outbreaks of pests and diseases, and low farmers’ awareness about the

For decades, coffee has been more than just a crop in Liberia, it has been part of the country’s heritage and an important contributor to rural livelihoods. Once a key export commodity, coffee production has dwindled over the years due to weak extension services, outdated farming practices, and limited access to improved technologies. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of

On the sidelines of the Nigerian Plant Breeders Association (NPBA) Conference held in Abuja recently, IITA-CGIAR hosted a press conference to celebrate the recent recognition of Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, who won the 2025 Africa Food Prize (AFP) for her work on Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH). The press conference brought together journalists, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders to highlight the significance of the

IITA–CGIAR continues to drive efforts to improve the nutritional content of staple crops, ensuring that communities that depend on them for food have access to a wider range of essential nutrients. In collaboration with its partners, the Institute has already released more than 200 improved crop varieties with significant impact on food security and nutrition. From 22 to 24 September, IITA

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, His Excellency Bengt van Loosdrecht, recently visited the IITA–CGIAR headquarters in Ibadan on a courtesy visit aimed at deepening collaborations between IITA and the Netherlands government. IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Dr Simeon Ehui, alongside IITA’s Senior Management team and scientists received the Ambassador and his team, comprising

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