Our research for development (R4D) programs

Africa has complex problems that plague agriculture and people’s lives. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty. Our award-winning research for development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We work with partners in Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and generate wealth from agriculture.

We group our R4D projects and activities under the following medium-term programs:

1. Banana & Plantain Systems
   We work on solutions to maintain banana and plantain as food, which contribute to food security and provide income for millions in East and West Africa.
2. Cereals & Legumes Systems
   We ensure that cereals and legumes continue to provide an alternative source of energy and protein to Africa’s teeming population.
3. Root & Tuber Systems
   We develop innovative solutions to secure the productivity of roots and tubers and improve their processing, marketability, and profitability.
4. Agriculture & Health
   We improve the food quality, nutrition, and health of vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
5. Agrobiodiversity
   We collect diverse plant genetic material or germplasm on major African food crops that can be mined for beneficial traits and characteristics to increase crop yields and sustain biodiversity.
6. Horticulture & Tree Systems
   We develop and promote the productivity of trees, fruit, and vegetables to enhance livelihoods and food and nutritional security in rural and peri-urban communities.
7. Opportunities & Threats
   We seek to assess risks to food security and livelihoods in the light of global economic, social, and environmental changes and their impact on societies.
8. Multicenter Program on IPM
   This program uses technological innovation and adaptation to address issues in sustainable crop pest and disease management and the production of food that is environmentally and economically safe.
9. Humidtropics
   The IITA-led CGIAR Research Program (CRP) 1.2, entitled "Humidtropics: Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics," will increase development options and strengthen the capacity of the poor and vulnerable in the humid tropics to improve their livelihoods and living environment based on promising agricultural systems’ innovations and technologies. Humidtropics fulfils a key integrative function for all 15 CRPs' research activities of relevance to the humid tropics and provides a unique balance between productivity enhancement, natural resources integrity and institutional issues.