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More Nigerian farmers to get improved cassava planting materials

Farmers in seven states of Nigeria including Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Benue will benefit from the distribution of free improved cassava varieties, thanks to the IITA-implemented “Unleashing the Power of Cassava in Africa” (UPoCA) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

IITA advances biocontrol of whitefly to stop spread of deadly viral cassava diseases

Researchers of the the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) are intensifying efforts to find a sustainable and natural solution to control populations of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. These tiny insects transmit the viruses that cause the Cassava Mosaic Disease and the Cassava Brown Streak Disease that are wreaking havoc on Africa’s cassava production, causing an estimated damage of more than US$ 1 billion annually.

Thailand taps IITA expertise as cassava mealybug invades country

The Government of Thailand, through its Department of Agriculture based at Chatuchak, Bangkok, has requested the assistance of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to help in the biological control of the cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti, which had recently invaded country and possibly also Laos and Cambodia.

Private sector firms join forces to combat weeds

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and private multinationals in weed control are tying up a model that would tackle the menace of weeds in Africa, thanks to the United State Agency for International Development- MARKETS project.

New varieties to boost maize output in West and Central Africa

Maize production in West and Central Africa is set to get a much-needed boost with the release of improved varieties by the Nigeria National Variety Release Committee. The varieties address many of the major constraints to maize production such as drought, low soil fertility, pests, diseases, and parasitic weeds.

Moderate fertilizer use could double African banana yields, IITA study shows

An IITA-led fertilizer-use study on East African highland bananas has shown that moderate application of mineral fertilizers could double the production of the crop. However, the study also found that majority of the banana growers in the region do not use fertilizers, missing out on the opportunity to maximize the crop’s food security and economic potentials…

Yam research in West and Central Africa gets EU funding support

Research to improve and promote yam in West and Central Africa (WCA) has received a €750,000 (about US$1 million) grant from the European Union-African, Caribbean and Pacific Science and Technology Program (EU-ACP). The program will benefit six WCA countries: Cameroon, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.