Molecular geneticist Sarah Hearne emphasizes the importance of characterizing genebank collections for use in selecting the best materials for crop improvement. One such study confirmed the robustness of the Institute’s collection on cowpea.

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.

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

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.

Conserving the genetic resources of important African food crops is a huge responsibility, but Dominique Dumet enjoys the challenges and demands at work. See what she plans to do during this International Year of Biodiversity.

Robert Asiedu, IITA’s R4D director for West Africa and program director for agrobiodiversity and root and tuber systems programs, has been with IITA for 20 years now. Discover what inspires him at work.

The Deputy Undersecretary for Science at the Smithsonian Institution, Scott Miller, discusses the importance of biodiversity conservation and what the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) is doing in this area.