IITA Press Releases

President of Tanzania inaugurates new science building

Mon, 13 May 2013 20:48:39 +0100

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency, Dr Mrisho Jakaya Kikwete, inaugurated today the new science building of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in a ceremony which brought together stakeholders in agricultural research, coming from the public and private sectors, and research, development, and academic backgrounds.

Tanzanian President, H.E. Dr Mrisho Jakaya Kikwete to inaugurate IITA Science Building

Wed, 8 May 2013 20:47:48 +0100

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency, Dr Mrisho Jakaya Kikwete, will, on 13 May, inaugurate the IITA Science Building in Dar es Salaam.

Scientists Alarmed by the Rapid Spread of CBSD, a Crop that Sustains 300 Million Africans

Tue, 7 May 2013 17:21:18 +0100

Cassava experts are reporting new outbreaks and the increased spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease or CBSD, warning that the rapidly proliferating plant virus could cause a 50 percent drop in production of a crop that provides a significant source of food and income for 300 million Africans.

NEXTGEN Cassava project sets precedent for open access data sharing in agricultural research

Wed, 1 May 2013 09:55:36 +0100

Six months after the launch of the $25.2M NEXTGEN Cassava project at Cornell University, scientists on the project have released Cassavabase, a database that promotes open access data sharing.

Zambia Agric Minister to SARD-SC stakeholders - Lets make a real difference in farmers lives

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 09:54:35 +0100

“If we are going to make a real difference in farmers’ lives, agricultural research must not only be responsive to the needs of the times but more importantly it should be able to find its way into farmers’ fields and their families’ homes. Research should never stay on the shelves – it should result in concrete outputs that would benefit farmers in Africa wherever they may be. This is my vision and sincere hope for this project.”

IITA welcomes Board Member Ibukun Odusote

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:30:58 +0100

ITA warmly welcomed Board of Trustees (BoT) member, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, who visited IITA headquarters this week. Board Member Odusote, a Nigerian and also the country’s Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, thumbed up recent efforts at IITA, particularly the upgrade of infrastructure at the headquarters in Ibadan.

Early maturing maize lines at IITA hold drought tolerance that could save farmers in Africa

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:46:12 +0100

Researchers have identified maize parental lines and hybrids with high levels of drought tolerance among the early and the extra-early maturing maize genotypes developed and conserved by IITA.

Twenty African countries to benefit from maize, cassava, wheat and rice intervention

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 17:15:00 +0100

Nigeria and 19 other African countries will directly benefit from the African Development Bank- funded initiative known as the Support for Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops (SARD-SC), but the multiplier effect of the project is expected to affect other regional member countries in the continent.

Japan, IITA, and ABUAD in joint efforts to help farmers

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:54:55 +0100

The Japanese Embassy in Nigeria has agreed to join efforts with IITA and the Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) to help farmers. To demonstrate their commitment, the three institutions signed a memorandum of understanding to improve cassava production and processing for Agbekoya farmers in Ekiti state.

Of women and miracles

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 12:09:44 +0100

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we pay tribute to the women who, despite staggering odds, were able to raise themselves up and become productive members of society. We feature one such amazing woman who was able to take her life back from the scourge of HIV/AIDS given the right incentive and a nudge in the right direction.

IITA-MIRACLE inaugurates processing centers to serve as 'nucleus of development'

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 12:08:08 +0100

The “Making Agricultural Innovations Work for Smallholder Farmers Affected by HIV/AIDS” – or MIRACLE – a project funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and implemented by IITA has commissioned four small-scale cassava processing centers in Luapula Province in the northern part of Zambia. The symbolic commissioning of the centers was held on 21 February at the Sencil General Suppliers in Mibenge Agricultural Camp, one of the four established under the project. The other three processing centers are located at the Kale Agricultural Camp, Mansa Resettlement Scheme, and Mabumba Agricultural Camp.

Biocontrol product developed by IITA reduces mortality in poultry by 43.9 %

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:12:44 +0100

Poultry fed with maize that had been treated with aflasafeTM experienced reduced mortality in addition to other benefits, according to a new study by scientists from IITA and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Researchers begin activities to make cassava work for the poor

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 17:24:09 +0100

Researchers and key partners working under the Support for Agricultural Research and Development for Strategic Crops (SARD-SC) have kicked off activities to improve the productivity of cassava by at least 20 percent in project sites, increase household incomes and food security, and make the root crop work for the poor.

Zambian farmers excited about prospects of safer crops with aflasafeTM

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:32:26 +0100

Farmers in Zambia are in high spirits as IITA and partners develop and distribute the first-ever batch of aflasafeTM that is tailor-made for the country, giving hope of crops that are safe from deadly aflatoxins.

Farmers commend IITA for improved cassava varieties

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 09:43:11 +0100

Nigerian farmers have commended the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for giving them improved cassava planting materials. The dissemination of the improved varieties is part of efforts by the Nigerian government under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda to boost cassava production and the incomes of farmers.

Key international forum on plant viral diseases kicks off today in Arusha, Tanzania

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:12:27 +0100

The 12th International Plant Virus Epidemiology (IPVE) symposium with the theme “Evolution, Ecology and Control of Plant Viruses,” started today, bringing together over 200 scientists and leading experts on plant viruses from 40 countries all around the world.

Farmers in Burkina Faso get IITA improved cowpea varieties

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:27:15 +0100

Burkina Faso has released two improved cowpea varieties to help advance better nutrition for women and children, and boost the incomes of farmers.

L'IITA améliore des variétés de niébé pour les producteurs du Burkina Faso

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:26:17 +0100

Le Burkina Faso a mis a disposition deux variétés de niébé pour une meilleure nutrition des femmes et des enfants et pour augmenter le revenu des paysans.

Nigeria releases improved cassava varieties to boost productivity

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:35:39 +0100

Nigeria has released two improved cassava varieties in an effort to maintain its lead as the world’s largest producer of the root crop and improve incomes of farmers. The varieties were developed through a collaborative effort between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Nigerian Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike.

School children raise funds for IITA Forest Project

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 19:31:37 +0100

School children between 3 and 12 years from the Ibadan International School (IIS) have raised about three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N0.35 million or $2,000) to support the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture’s Forest Project. The donation is part of the school’s efforts towards supporting good causes in the society.