ABOUT US
Science, partnerships, and innovation
IITA improves food security and livelihoods in Africa by developing practical agricultural solutions that help farmers and communities thrive.
IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) is a leading research-for-development organization working to address Africa’s most pressing agricultural challenges. We generate science-based solutions that improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and protect natural resources across the continent.
OUR VISION
Through science, innovation, and partnerships, IITA is building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that improve nutrition, productivity, incomes, and livelihoods across Africa.
We put farmers and communities at the heart of transformation, advancing inclusive solutions that create opportunities while protecting natural resources for future generations.
OUR MISSION
Our Strategy
IITA’s R4D strategy integrates cutting-edge science, partnerships, and delivery models to generate scalable agricultural solutions.
HOW WE WORK
Transforming African Agriculture
IITA works at the intersection of science, partnerships, and delivery—ensuring that research moves beyond discovery to real-world adoption and impact.
We follow a research-for-development approach that integrates scientific excellence with strong partnerships, capacity sharing, and locally grounded delivery models. By co-designing solutions with farmers, institutions, and the private sector, we ensure innovations are relevant, scalable, and sustainable.
Research
Generating cutting-edge knowledge and technologies through rigorous science.
Innovation
Transforming research outputs into practical tools, products, and services.
Scaling
Working with partners to enable adoption, policy uptake, and impact at scale.
Our Values
Our values shape how we collaborate, innovate, and deliver impact anchoring our work in integrity, inclusiveness, excellence, and respect for the communities we serve.
- Originality
- Inclusiveness
- Multiculturalism
- Professionalism
- Multidisciplinarity
- Respect
- Collaboration
- Equity
- Integrity
- Excellence
Our Focus
Nutrition and Health
Advancing genetic innovation with a strong focus on building innovative and inclusive seed systems. This work ensures farmers have reliable access to high-quality, improved planting materials that enhance productivity, resilience, and food security.
Plant Health
Strengthening plant health management for major staple crops, horticultural crops, and fruit trees to reduce losses, improve yields, and enhance food quality across farming systems.
Natural Resource Management
Researching arthropod biodiversity to better understand pest dynamics, beneficial insects, and ecosystem services, supporting sustainable pest management and biodiversity conservation.
Mechanization
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Biotechnology
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Seed system
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Genebank
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Resilient Climate Adaptaion
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Gender, youth, and social inclusion (GYSI)
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Foresight, Impact assessment and Scaling (FIAS)
Promoting integrated Agro-Eco-Health approaches that link agriculture, environment, and human well-being, including the development of circular bio-economy solutions that reduce waste and improve sustainability.
Value-chains, Markets, and agribusiness (VCMA)
Leadership
FINANCIALS AND RESOURCES
IITA 2024 – 2030 Refreshed Strategy
Publications
Financial Statement 2024
Recent News

How science at IITA is transforming Africa’s food systems
When people think of agricultural research, they often picture scientists in white coats working quietly in laboratories, surrounded by microscopes, and test tubes or researchers on the field under the scorching sun collecting data from field trials.

How science at IITA is transforming Africa’s food systems
When people think of agricultural research, they often picture scientists in white coats working quietly

When citizen science strengthens breeding: Award-winning research provides new evidence of tricot’s social impact
When farmers participate in crop breeding as citizen scientists, their knowledge and experience can shape