Although the initial posts of R4D Review are done by IITA we really want to change our role to being facilitators of research for development ideas, initiatives, collaborations, projects, highlights and critical reviews. Your participation is essential to make this a R4D knowledge resource. In addition to posting comments on the articles we are looking for new sources of solid, useful ideas that can improve research-for-development practice. Please submit your contributions to r4dreview@iita.org.

Representatives from the banana research and industry from all over Africa had an excellent meeting in Kenya in October 2008. The ambition to develop a 10-year strategic roadmap that would harmonize and guide efforts to promote the marketing and trade of the crop in the continent has been kick-started with great contributions of key players in the Banana world and critical reviewers of this banana world. The prospects look promising and a lot of further details will be released post-conference.