In a significant breakthrough for groundnut improvement, scientists at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have unraveled the genetic basis of blanchability—the ability to easily remove the seed coat—a critical trait that determines processing efficiency and product quality for food industry.
Nigeria’s dominance in global yam production may soon translate into economic leadership, following a decisive National Yam Advocacy Summit convened by IITA–CGIAR under the PROSSIVA program in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja recently.
ICRISAT, in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through the All India Coordinated Research Project on Pearl Millet (AICRP) centre at the Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute (RARI) has developed the multifunctional, world’s first three-way pearl millet hybrid, RHB 273.
IITA–CGIAR in Kenya recently hosted a delegation from Madagascar for a learning visit aimed at deepening collaboration and sharing practical experiences across key areas of crop improvement. The visit brought together partners across the agricultural research ecosystem, with stops at IITA-supported facilities and collaborating institutions.
IITA–CGIAR, in partnership with the Ecological Project Office (EPO) under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has engaged key stakeholders to advance sustainable irrigation and dry-season farming to boost agricultural productivity under the project “Community-based engagement on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity restoration for the Kano irrigation scheme,” in the Kano South Senatorial District in Kano State.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria has reiterated its continued support for initiatives that place young people at the center of agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
In Uganda, value addition and product development are crucial for enhancing agribusiness competitiveness and sustainability. However, many youths and women in agri-food enterprises face challenges in processing, product formulation, and quality assurance, limiting their ability to meet market standards and scale their businesses.
The IITA–CGIAR in Liberia, through the EU-funded Soils4Liberia Project, successfully concluded a three-day intensive digital data management training for 14 laboratory staff of the University of Liberia (UL) and one representative from the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), and three representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).