A partnership of scientists lead by IITA, CIRAD, and Africa Rice are studying how weaver ants, the most ancient biocontrol agent on record, can protect economically important crops, such as mango, from the invasive fruit fly.

Witchweed or Striga has cast a “spell” on millions of hectares of cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa. Discover how IITA and partners concocted a “potion” to ward off its effects on cereals using a natural enemy—a fungus!

IITA Biotechnology Lab Head Ivan Ingelbrecht describes the state of genetic transformation on cassava, and presents some of the enabling tools for biotechnology-mediated improvement, and other complementary approaches, such as conventional breeding and use of artificial mini-chromosomes.

Molecular geneticist Melaku Gedil discusses some of the genetic
engineering tools that IITA uses for improving its mandate crops.

Plants, like people, need healthcare. But in Africa, where agriculture is dominated by smallholders, farmers do not have access to reliable plant health advice and management services.

Uganda based IITA breeder Jim Lorenzen describes macropropagation as an alternative method of producing and distributing banana planting materials to help reduce the spread of pests and diseases.

A private sector partner provides insights on the partnership between AGT and IITA and emphasizes the need for demand-driven research.