IITA–CGIAR joined national and international partners in Rwanda for the official launch of the Rwanda Biotechnology Capacity Building (BioCap) Project and the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for a Centre of Excellence for Crop Biotechnology.
In a major step toward strengthening sustainable agriculture and national food security, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance soil health, improve fertilizer efficiency, and boost farm productivity in Nigeria.
The Plateau State Government has taken a strategic step toward vitalizing its agricultural sector with a two-day working visit to IITA–CGIAR on 2–3 March. The seven-member delegation, led by the Technical Adviser to the State Government, Dr Haggai Gutap, explored cutting-edge agricultural innovations to boost productivity across the stat
Agriculture is increasingly recognized as the cornerstone of sustainable development across Africa, where it is significantly reshaping livelihoods, economies, and food systems. Across the continent, governments, development institutions, and research partners are aligning efforts to ensure food and nutritional self-sufficiency, reduce dependence on costly imports, and position African nations more competitively in global trade. What was once a long-term aspiration is now unfolding as a coordinated movement – with key actors drawn from research, academia, and governments, driven by innovation, policy reform, and investment, quietly transforming the lives of millions.
The CGIAR has launched the Policy Innovation hub in Lilongwe, highlighting the pivotal role researchers play in informing policymakers through evidence-based research. The country policy hub is expected to articulate future research needs to support Malawi’s food systems transformation to 2030 and to raise awareness of how existing evidence can inform national decision-making. The launch attracted the attendance of academicians, researchers, communication experts, government officials, and farmers, among other stakeholders.
A two-member delegation from India’s National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) visited the IITA–CGIAR headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, from 12 to 13 March 2026. During the visit, both teams held intensive technical discussions on aflatoxin mitigation and advanced preparations for a joint initiative to create an India-specific Aflasafe product.
IITA–CGIAR has formalized its presence in Madagascar following the signing of a Host Country Agreement (HCA) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE) on 27 February 2026 in the capital city. The agreement grants IITA legal status in the country and sets the stage for long-term, science-driven agricultural investment.
A high-level delegation from IITA Kenya paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Director General of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Dr Patrick Ketiem, at KALRO Headquarters, as part of efforts to reaffirm institutional collaboration and discuss new areas of strategic partnership.