Scientists based in Nigeria and Kenya started an initiative against two parasitic weeds that have spread across much of sub-Saharan Africa. The project, coordinated by IITA, will introduce technologies for fighting Striga (witchweed), and Alectra.

IITA and partners recently launched a project that will provide farmers in Nigeria and Kenya with a natural, safe, and cost-effective solution to prevent the contamination of maize and groundnut by a cancer-causing poison, aflatoxin.

People affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Africa will benefit from a health and livelihoods initiative based on agriculture launched by IITA. MIRACLE aims at improving the health and nutrition status, food security, and incomes of people affected by HIV/AIDS in the subregion.

IITA has a new Director General: Dr Nteranya E. Sanginga. Dr Sanginga has more than 21 years of experience in agricultural research and development, particularly in the fields of applied microbial ecology, plant nutrition, and integrated natural resources management in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

A new book, titled Protection de la Nature en Afrique de l’Ouest: Une Liste Rouge pour le Bénin (Nature Conservation in West Africa: Red List for Benin) is now available at IITA.

Ghana and the Republic of Liberia have agreed to jointly develop, promote, and implement research activities to improve their agricultural sectors.

Cassava value addition is helping African farmers increase their income, and improve livelihoods and food security through the USAID-funded project Unleashing the Power of Cassava (UPoCA).

CIALCA and the CGIAR Consortium Research Program on the Humid Tropics led by IITA will convene an international conference on ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural Intensification of the Humid-Highland Systems of sub-Saharan Africa’, in Kigali, Rwanda, on 24-27 October 2011.

Malawi and Nigeria have released three improved soybean varieties that can enhance the productivity of the crop and offer farmers better opportunities.

Nigeria has released four improved cassava varieties that would strengthen its lead in cassava production, increase farmers’ incomes, and guarantee food security.