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.

The president of one of the strongest crop networks in Nigeria, Pastor O.A. Adenola, talks about the need for stakeholders to join forces against aflatoxin spread and other issues.

Sunday Ekesi is a research entomologist from Nigeria working at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). He is currently leading a continent-wide initiative on the African fruit flies that threaten the production and export of fruits and vegetables.

This commentary presents a comprehensive review of IITA’s past and present efforts, and future initiatives on biocontrol. It also forwards some insights on how biocontrol efforts could be more successful.

Jacob Mignouna is the Technical Operations Manager of the AATF, one of IITA’s partners. He identifies opportunities for agricultural technology interventions, identifies sources of appropriate technologies, and provides overall leadership in implementing AATF’s project portfolio.

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