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.

Social science research is one of the major disciplinary areas supporting innovation processes at IITA for achieving a sustainable reduction in food security and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

On 31 October 2011, Dr Hartmann completed his tenure as the sixth Director General of IITA. In this interview, Hartmann shares his experience on his 10-year stay at IITA.

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akin Adesina, talks about his strategy for a Green Revolution in Nigeria.

Climate change and plant health
Healthy banana TC industry
Safe exchange of germplasm
Germ-free germplasm
In Kanti Rawal’s footsteps
Restoring the IITA forest
Investing in aflasafe™
Sustainable production and distribution of clean banana

Plant health is an important concern for all. IITA believes that ensuring plant health is pivotal to improve agricultural productivity and food security, and reduce poverty. It is also a key element in IITA’s strategy of intensifying sustainable agriculture. Containing biological threats, among other things, to food security is the real national defense, says IITA DG Hartmann.

IITA has adopted a multipronged strategy to tackle Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), a serious threat to cassava production, to reduce its effects on cassava in epidemic areas, and prevent its further spread.