As the world celebrates the International Year of Biodiversity, R4D Review interviews local conservationists to get their take on how to stem the loss of biodiversity.

What makes yam so important to the people of West Africa and some countries in the Pacific? Read about the legend of how yam and cocoyam became important crops to the Ibo peopple of Nigeria, and how the festival is celebrated.

Butterfly expert Robert Warren explains why it is important to conduct a survey of butterflies in the IITA forest, one of the last remaining patches of protected areas in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s forests are all but gone. David Ladipo, CEO of CENRAD, calls for immediate action.

Biodiversity and NRM
Biodiversity conservation is key
Insect biodiversity for NRM
Why manage noncrop biodiversity
A research park for Africa
Unlocking the diversity of yam
Cassava: improver of soils
Participatory yam conservation strategies
Smart NRM approaches
DNA barcodes for pathogens
A new food security crop?

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IITA scientists explain about the exciting new work in diagnostics using a combination of conventional biology, biotechnology, and bioinformatics.

An underutilized leguminous species has huge potentials for food security in Africa. Read about IITA’s ongoing research on African yam bean.

The average crop yield in sub-Saharan Africa is very low compared with other parts of the world. This article details a dynamic natural resource management approach being used to increase the yield of banana and coffee.

The perception of farmers in East Africa that cassava maintains soil fertility was confirmed in a study that looked at the roles and production constraints of cassava using model simulations.

A partner explains a strategic and innovative model for conserving existing genetic diversity in yam in the African yam belt through farmer exchanges and use.