Maize breeding at IITA was initiated around 1970. The program has resulted in the development of a large number of inbred lines, open-pollinated varieties, and hybrids with resistance to Striga, stem borers, and aflatoxin contamination, with tolerance for drought, efficient nitrogen use, and enhanced contents of lysine, tryptophan, and pro-vitamin A.

IITA recognizes that close collaboration with partner organizations is essential for the optimum use of resources and knowledge; access to cutting-edge science and technologies; mutual learning; and for making a positive impact on the livelihoods of poor farmers.

A simple and low-cost test for estimating aflatoxin in crops and commodities has been developed by IITA. This test offers a sustainable solution to the problem of ever-increasing demand for monitoring programs related to food safety and trade, and has the potential to enhance aflatoxin monitoring capacity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nteranya Sanginga talks about his journey to becoming the top man of one of the biggest international agricultural R4D institutions in Africa, and some of Africa’s most pressing issues regarding agriculture and food security.

Valerie Bemo of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shares her dreams for Africa: to see Africans leading the strategies and efforts to reduce poverty, and having access to basic health, education, clean drinking water, and able to feed themselves.

The application of new technology in R4D programs at IITA is accelerating the discovery of genes and closely linked molecular markers underlying important traits that leads to the rapid accumulation of genomic resources for devising an efficient and effective breeding strategy.