http://r4dreview.org Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:51:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Biocontrol offers benefits to Africa From traditional to science based Amazing maize Local seeds and social networks What sustains productivity? Cassava processing research Impact of R4D on farmers Funding agricultural R&D Outcome mapping IITA's new social science research agenda Download PDF http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/issue-7-september-2011/ [caption id="attachment_2822" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Woman peeling cassava. Photo by IITA."][/caption] Agricultural research is the key to achieving IITA’s mission of enhancing food security and reducing poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, IITA undertakes research with and for the people and engages a whole range of partners along the research-to-development continuum. The effectiveness ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/the-benefits-of-social-science/ [caption id="attachment_2803" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Maize is a major food staple in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo by IITA."][/caption] Researchers have shown that investment in maize research in West and Central Africa pays off. A study by IITA’s agricultural economists reveals that the generation and diffusion of modern maize varieties in the last three ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/amazing-maize-investment-in-agricultural-research-pays-off/ A study carried out to measure productivity trends and the effects of research and development (R&D) in African agriculture shows that, over the period 1970–2004, African agricultural productivity grew at an annual rate of 1.8%. Agricultural R&D, improved weather, and policy reforms were found to be the principal drivers of ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/what-sustains-the-productivity-of-african-agriculture/ Including seeds of local crop varieties in the relief seed packages distributed to small-scale farmers after natural calamities could help indigenous crop diversity to recover faster. In addition, existing social networks which act as vital channels for seed distribution hasten the recovery of diversity in disaster-affected communities. These are among ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/local-seeds-and-social-networks/ In recent times discussions on deforestation in the tropics more often than not have pointed to agricultural expansion as one major factor behind the depletion of forests. [caption id="attachment_2801" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Forests are crucial to life on earth: IITA forest. Photo by IITA."][/caption] This argument has been underpinned by the fact that ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/from-traditional-to-science-based-transforming-agricultral-practices/ [caption id="attachment_2814" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Women making gari. Photo by IITA."][/caption] Between 2002 and 2010, IITA implemented the Integrated Cassava Project (ICP) to support the Presidential Initiative on Cassava. Under ICP, IITA and its partners successfully introduced and promoted more than 40 cassava varieties to Nigerian farmers, and facilitated the establishment of ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/cassava-processing-research-in-nigeria/ Biological control programs implemented by IITA and partners on cassava green mite have brought benefits worth more than $1.7 billion to Nigeria, Bénin, and Ghana in the last 18 years. [caption id="attachment_2807" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Diseased plant. Photo by IITA."][/caption] Ousmane Coulibaly, IITA Agricultural Economist, describes the figure as “a conservative estimate.” “The figure ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/biocontrol-offers-benefits-to-africa/ [caption id="attachment_2788" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Banana is an important staple food in sub-Saharan Africa. Photo by IITA."][/caption] The Banana 2008 Conference held in Mombasa, Kenya, provided the opportunity for developing a strategy to help propel the banana industry as an important engine of growth in Africa. It was attended by more than 300 ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/a-10-year-strategy-for-the-banana-sector-in-africa/ Does research-for-development (R4D) have an impact on small-scale farmers? The answer is a resounding 'yes' based on a series of impact studies on IITA’s cassava R4D work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Malawi. [caption id="attachment_2792" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Cassava harvest. Photo by E. Kanju, IITA."][/caption] Democratic Republic of Congo In ... http://r4dreview.org/2011/11/impact-of-cassava-r4d-on-smallholder-farmers/