News Overview

IITA continues to play an important role in alleviating poverty and ensuring food security for millions of farm families in sub-Saharan Africa. As part of its commitment to fostering research-driven agricultural innovations and strengthening public-private partnerships, IITA hosted His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone at its headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, from 3 to 6 March. This visit marked a significant

by Tanu Kumari, Kranthi Kumar Challa, Shweta, Amit Kumar Srivastava In a world where food demand is soaring, yet arable land is shrinking, technology is redefining how we monitor and manage crops. One of the most promising innovations in precision agriculture is the use of drones—Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)—to detect crop stress and predict yields with enhanced accuracy. Unpredictable Crop

In a landmark move to drive agricultural innovation and food security, IITA–CGIAR and the government of Sierra Leone have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen the partnership. The signing, which took place during the official visit of H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, to IITA’s headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, marks a significant step toward strengthening agricultural research, technology

The recently held annual review and planning meeting by the IITA BSF for Bio Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability (BBEST) Project in Accra, recognized the support of the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) by creating an enabling environment for implementing the project activities in the country. The IITA-BBEST, an environmentally friendly project addresses the issue of

The enduring partnership between IITA–CGIAR and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), is a testament to the power of strategic collaboration. By aligning their shared vision and expertise, both institutions have demonstrated how impactful partnerships can drive meaningful outcomes in agricultural research, technological advancements, and youth empowerment. To further strengthen this collaboration, ABUAD’s delegation visited IITA headquarters in Ibadan on 21 February. The

Following a week-long exhibition from 1 to 8 March, IITA–CGIAR participated in the national celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) held on 8 March 2025 in Arusha, Tanzania. This year’s national theme, “Wanawake na wasichana 2025: Tuimarishe haki, usawa na uwezeshaji,” translates to “Women and girls 2025: Strengthening justice, equality, and empowerment.” The exhibitions were organized by the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, and Children

IITA–CGIAR reaffirms its commitment to recognizing and applauding women and girls for their resilience, impact, and contributions to agriculture, research, and food security. On 10 March, IITA celebrated International Women’s Day with the theme: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” The event commenced with a commemorative walk to honor the invaluable contributions of women in agriculture and development. This

Cowpea, a vital legume crop in sub-Saharan Africa, nourishes millions and supports rural economies. Yet, its productivity is under siege by a persistent enemy: cowpea anthracnose disease (CAD). Recent research has identified the causal agents of CAD in Nigeria, challenging previous understanding of the disease in the country. Historically, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and C. destructivum were considered the primary pathogens responsible for CAD in Nigeria.