The debate continues: food or biodiversity conservation? Scientist Emeritus Peter Neuenschwander stresses that natural resources management offers the intellectual platform to integrate the different disciplines in a sustainable manner. He suggests ways in which the CGIAR and IITA can help meet the twin goals of conserving biodiversity while feeding the human population.

Three decades of R4D at IITA have shown the effectiveness and sustainability of biological control combined with other approaches for managing insect pests. These biocontrol practices and technologies provide subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa with solutions that are sometimes their only safety net.

IITA uses all available scientific tools and approaches in its attempt to address hunger and poverty, but the decision to reject or approve and adopt any GM products is the domain and responsibility of the respective national governments.” —Hartmann, IITA Director General

Many promising solutions remain on shelves because participation in their development and access to such knowledge have been limited. We launch this 6-monthly R4D Review in print and interactive online versions based upon open source principles…

Grown by smallholder farmers, bananas and plantains are major food staples and two of the leading cash crops, both in the East African Great Lakes zone and the West African humid lowlands. Diverse banana cultivars are grown for a number of uses, including brewing (juice bananas), cooking and roasting, as well as sweet dessert bananas.