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IITA Postdoctoral Fellow and Plantain Breeder, Moses Nyine, sharing his achievements.

As part of its commitment to accountability, performance excellence, and impact-driven research, IITA–CGIAR routinely convenes contract review seminars through which heads of units and project leaders assess progress, demonstrate achievements, and align outcomes with institutional priorities.

Within this framework, IITA-CGIAR hosted a contract review presentation on 28 January, themed “Innovations to Accelerate Genetic Gain in Banana and Plantain Breeding,” delivered by IITA Postdoctoral Fellow and Plantain Breeder, Moses Nyine. The session, moderated by IITA Banana Crop Lead, Rony Swennen, brought together researchers and stakeholders dedicated to advancing crop improvement across Africa.

Nyine is leading efforts to integrate conventional breeding with modern genomics and quantitative genetics tools to accelerate the development of improved plantain varieties that meet both farmer and consumer needs. His research also advances understanding of banana floral biology to enhance seed set and hybrid recovery, which are longstanding constraints in plantain breeding.

Reflecting on his professional trajectory, Nyine highlighted how his transition from banana research to wheat breeding in the United States broadened his scientific perspective. At the Wheat Genetic Resource Center, Kansas State University, he established innovative breeding pipelines integrating genotyping and phenotyping to track beneficial traits from wild relatives into elite wheat cultivars, particularly those associated with climate resilience and grain quality.

“Introgression populations are like a black box; you must open them through genotyping and phenotyping to understand where beneficial traits are and how they perform,” he noted.

This experience, he explained, reinforced his commitment to deploying advanced breeding technologies within African crop improvement systems.

Upon returning to Africa, Nyine prioritized building a future-oriented plantain breeding program that combines robust conventional methods with cutting-edge innovations. His research encompasses reproductive biology, introgression and mapping of domestication genes, and in-depth analysis of the banana genome, ensuring the preservation of essential quality traits while improving productivity. He further contextualized current progress within historical breeding trends, referencing the “breeding bubble” that has influenced plantain improvement since the late 1980s and noting the need for renewed scientific momentum.

Highlighting key accomplishments, Nyine reported the introduction of enhanced genetic diversity into plantain breeding pipelines, the development of standard operating procedures for tracking pollen tube growth, the establishment of new pollination blocks, and the refinement of crossing schemes. His team also strengthened agronomic practices, including irrigation, mulching, fertilizer management, and the application of pollen germination media alongside the full digitalization of the breeding workflow.

In capacity development, Nyine actively engaged IITA staff, researchers from the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Nigeria and the Crop Research Institute (CRI), Ghana, RadioIITA plantain farmers’ outreach, and supervision of postgraduate students between 2024 and 2025. These efforts promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and sustained knowledge exchange across the breeding ecosystem.

He also highlighted strategic investments in infrastructure, including a pathology screenhouse with a dedicated sample processing facility, upgraded irrigation systems, and expanded drip irrigation networks. In resource mobilization, Nyine contributed to several grant proposals that successfully secured approximately USD 11 million between 2024 and 2025, out of which about USD 6 million was targeted for banana-focused projects.

Looking ahead, Nyine outlined strategic priorities centered on strengthening pre-breeding and parental pool improvement, advancing reproductive biology research to enhance hybrid recovery, and leveraging modern tools such as genomic selection and gene editing to further accelerate genetic gains.

He concluded by expressing appreciation to IITA’s management for sustained leadership support and to the plantain breeding team for their dedication and collaboration. He shared a commitment to transforming banana and plantain production systems across Africa.

Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola

A virtual cross-section of participants and the presenters during the training.

As part of its commitment to continuous capacity building and promoting gender equity, the IITA Gender team continues to invest in upskilling its members to deliver high-quality research that advances food security and improves livelihoods across the continent.

On 10 and 11 November, the IITA Gender, Youth and Social Science team organised an intensive two-day virtual training on the Africa Agricultural Adaptation Atlas (AAA ATLAS).

The training was held in collaboration with the Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF) team at the University of Ibadan, and moderated by IITA Senior Research Associate Olamide Nwanze.

The AAA ATLAS enables access to specialized datasets on gender, socio-economy, nutrition, climate risks, and adaptation organised per region, to inform and strengthen agricultural research and development. The AAA ATLAS aggregates scientific data with the aim to accelerate effective climate change adaptation as well as social and gender inclusion in African agriculture. Through interactive data visualizations, interactive stories and research-ready tools, it offers researchers, policymakers, and investors’ insights into climate risks, vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation strategies—bridging the gap between multidisciplinary scientific evidence and practical action.

The AAA Atlas is particularly relevant within the scope of IITA’s mission to address the current nexus of challenges: rapidly changing socio-economic contexts, the need to enhance agricultural productivity, climate change mitigation, and the prevention of environmental degradation associated with intensification—such as soil depletion, water stress, and biodiversity loss. At the same time, agricultural interventions must be responsive to socio-cultural diversity, differentiated preferences, working conditions, and diverse livelihood strategies along agricultural value chains. This nexus calls for well-thought-through and prioritised cost-effective bundles that combine technical and social innovations tailored to specific regional contexts.

As a platform widely used by key funders such as the African Development Bank (AFDB), mastery of the AAA ATLAS is expected to strengthen the quality, reach, and impact of research proposals, foresight work, and adaptation planning across Africa. In addition, it is also expected to foster Strategic Collaboration to facilitate knowledge exchange between CGIAR centers and initiatives, and partners at regional and national level, fostering a unified and integrated approach to CGIAR Systems Transformation agenda.

The training aimed to strengthen participants’ analytical skills to use the AAA Atlas’ historic, baseline, and foresight datasets for informed decision-making, and build their capacity to systematically integrate gender, climate, and nutrition considerations into research using the Atlas’s data-driven tools.

In his welcome address, IITA Gender Lead, Béla Teeken, outlined the purpose of the training and presented key highlights of IITA’s ongoing work at the intersection of gender, climate change, breeding, and nutrition. Additional opening remarks were delivered by IITA Climate Lead, John Choptiany, and PiLAF Lead, Iredele Ogunbayo. Choptiany mentioned that the ATLAS is a good way to showcase IITA’s work and the work of others, especially on the resilient solutions that can be used to adapt and combat the effects of climate change in agriculture. IITA will be more actively involved in the ATLAS going forward in 2026 to ensure that our research feeds into the tool.

The technical sessions on Day 1 began with an overview of the Atlas, facilitated by Lecturer, Research Associate at PiLAF, Oladele Osanyinlusi, who guided participants through the platform’s navigation and demonstrated how its data-rich tools support climate investment and policy planning.

This was followed by an in-depth practical session led by PiLAF Policy Researcher, Peace Aburime, who focused on analysing women’s exposure to climate hazards and exploring gender-responsive adaptation strategies. The session highlighted how climate actions that intentionally incorporate gender equality considerations can improve women’s empowerment and ensure more inclusive and equitable outcomes.

Participants worked through multiple interactive notebooks on the Atlas platform, including:

Understanding Heat Stress on Producers
Evaluating Climate Risks
Prioritizing Livestock Investments
Estimating Economic Returns on Adaptation
Formulating a Climate Rationale for Projects

These exercises facilitated by Oreoluwa Akano, Nathaniel Olutegbe and Benjamin Oyelami, allowed participants to apply their learning directly to real-world climate adaptation challenges. A Question-and-Answer session and a group discussion provided space for reflection, clarification, and experience sharing.

Participants shared some feedback and suggestions to inform strategic actions to enhance the AAA ATLAS platform and maximize its utility:

ATLAS developers should collaborate more closely with agricultural research institutions such as IITA, which can contribute relevant datasets, enabling continuous improvement of the platform’s usefulness for research-for-development. IITA researchers and partners should jointly identify data and insight gaps and engage the ATLAS team to integrate new contributions that enhance platform relevance.

The platform should expand to include youth-specific data, complementing existing gender data and enabling funders to assess the impact of investments in youth agribusiness.

Institutions like IITA are encouraged to integrate AAA ATLAS into the early stages of project conceptualisation and design.

Future webinars should highlight user stories

Overall, strengthened collaboration and coordinated data contributions across all CGIAR centres will enhance the effectiveness and value of the AAA ATLAS platform

In closing, Teeken expressed appreciation to the PiLAF team for their collaboration and efforts towards the training and commended the participants for their active engagement throughout the training. He acknowledged the diverse insights shared during the discussions, noting that such exchanges strengthen the collective capacity to generate impactful data and research that addresses Africa’s most pressing agricultural, social and climate challenges.

Contributed by Ochuwa Favour Daramola

Livestock (pigs and chickens) feeding on high-quality cassava peel (HQCP) mash in Nyamiyaga, Kamonyi District, Southern Province.

In an effort to alleviate the burden faced by livestock entrepreneurs in Rwanda, IITA–CGIAR has introduced the FeedCalculator app—a digital tool designed to improve animal feed formulation while addressing the growing challenges of feed affordability, availability, and accessibility.

In November 2025, Dr Okike Iheanacho, an IITA-CGIAR consultant, conducted a comprehensive three-day training for animal feed and livestock entrepreneurs. The training introduced participants to the FeedCalculator, a digital solution that enables effective feed formulation using cost-effective and locally available ingredients.

The FeedCalculator is designed to help small-scale livestock farmers optimize feed mixes by considering several critical factors. First, it identifies the nutritional requirements of specific animals. It then analyses available ingredients and their nutritional composition before determining the most efficient combination to meet animal needs. This app can formulate feed recipes for broilers, layers, pigs, catfish and tilapia. The tool also takes into account cost and availability, enabling farmers to produce affordable, nutritionally balanced feed. As a result, the free FeedCalculator generates the least-cost and high-quality feed recipes based on locally available ingredients.

Dr Okike Iheanacho and trainees holding their certificates after the FeedCalculator training.

A key focus of the training was the use of locally available resources, particularly cassava peels, as a major feed ingredient. Dr Iheanacho trained animal feed producers and livestock owners on the use of high-quality cassava peels (HQCP) in feed formulation as an important source of carbohydrates. Often discarded as waste, cassava peels are a cost-effective and sustainable resource that promotes both affordability and resource efficiency in livestock production.

For participants, the tool-FeedCalculator represents a shift from traditional, experience-based feed formulation to a more precise, data-driven approach that improves efficiency, feed quality, and business performance. Participants shared how the training is already influencing their practices and plans.

“I sell animal feed and work as a pig farmer. In addition, I produce animal feed using high-quality cassava peels (HQCP). Thanks to this training, from now onwards, we will use the FeedCalculator to better understand our clients’ needs and provide properly formulated rations that improve livestock growth and performance, ultimately benefiting farmers,” said Mutoni Noella, Manager of Livestock Solution Company Ltd.

Similarly, Mahoro Olivier from Cooperative Ruhango Young Innovators (CORYI), an animal feed production company, highlighted the impact of the training. “We used to formulate animal feed in a traditional way with limited skills. After being trained on the FeedCalculator, I can now automatically produce nutritious feed. It makes calculating rations much easier for us as livestock farmers,” he said.

However, participants also identified areas for improvement. Mahoro noted that some commonly used local ingredients are not yet included in the app. He suggested that developers engage directly with farmers in the field to collect data on locally used ingredients, thereby enhancing the tool’s relevance and effectiveness.

This initiative marks a significant step forward for Rwanda’s livestock sector. By equipping farmers and feed producers with practical digital tools and knowledge, IITA is supporting more efficient, affordable, and sustainable animal feed production, contributing to improved livelihoods and a more resilient agricultural future.

Contributed by Ritha Bumwe

IITA Forest Center welcomes the community to the first Tree Heritage Park Open Day — IITA Forest Center Patron, Dr David Ladipo, with IITA Forest Center Field Supervisors telling the story of the Tree Heritage Park.

IITA Forest Center hosted its inaugural Tree Heritage Park (THP) Open Day recently, bringing together students, researchers, conservationists, and nature lovers for a day dedicated to celebrating Nigeria’s native tree species and strengthening public commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Open Day supports the Center’s continuous mandate to conserve Nigeria’s threatened tree species and upholds the ArbNet Level II accreditation the Park received in January 2022—Nigeria’s first internationally accredited arboretum, the 11th in Africa, and the 500th worldwide.

Located within the 350-hectare IITA Forest Reserve, the five-hectare THP, fondly called the “Noah’s Ark,” hosts more than 100 indigenous species. These include culturally important and endangered trees such as Iroko (Milicia excelsa), African Baobab (Adansonia digitata), African Locust Bean (Parkia biglobosa), and Araba (Ceiba pentandra), where the shy, yellow-billed kite often nests. Many other species in the park were recalled from landscapes affected by urban expansion, illegal logging, storms, and the growing pressures of climate change.

IITA Forest Center Patron, Dr David Ladipo, with IITA Forest Center Field Supervisors telling the story of the Tree Heritage Park. — Students, researchers, and conservationists in different training sessions during the guided tour at the Tree Heritage Park.

Dr David Ladipo, IITA Forest Center patron, who has contributed to conservation work in the Reserve since the 1990s, introduced the participants to the Park’s evolution through a documentary and a presentation. He emphasized the THP’s significance, noting, “This living gene bank is more than a collection of trees; it is a rescue mission. Many of these species would have disappeared without the decades of deliberate conservation efforts here.”

Following the classroom session, participants embarked on a guided tour of the Park. Led by IITA Forest Center staff, the tour highlighted the ecological, cultural, and scientific value of the species conserved in this living genebank, as well as the foundational work of conservation champions such as Phil Hall, Prof Shiwuwa Manu, Dr David Ladipo, Dr John Peacock, Deni Bown, and, more recently, Dr Adewale Awoyemi, the IITA Forest Center Manager.

Speaking on behalf of the Forest Center Manager, Ademola Ajayi underscored the urgency of protecting Nigeria’s native biodiversity. “Our trees are linked to our food. Our food is linked to our health. Many native trees support the growth of indigenous vegetables, fruits, and leaves,” he said. “Destroying our natural forests affects our economy, our food systems, our health, and our cultural heritage. What began as the conversion of an old arboretum into a Tree Heritage Park has now grown into a rallying point for conservation, tourism, and adventure in Ibadan—creating new opportunities for awareness and income generation.”

Professor of Pediatric Hematology and Guest Speaker, Prof. Adekunle Adekile, a passionate naturalist and photographer, encouraged participants to take personal responsibility for environmental protection. “This Park shows how passion-backed science can transform conservation. When communities, students, and experts come together, we create a future where nature and people thrive together,” he said, adding that greater public awareness is vital to addressing myths and deepening appreciation for biodiversity.

Younger participants shared enthusiasm. Adesina Abdul Rahman from Amao College said, “I enjoyed the tour around the THP. I now understand the value of trees and how to plant them. With this knowledge, I plan to become an advocate for conservation among my schoolmates.”

Aderonke Oyewumi from Ibadan International School added, “Today I learnt that every small effort makes a difference. We can protect our environment by joining conservation clubs, recycling plastics, and planting more trees.”

The event also emphasized the Forest Center’s broader impact, including raising seedlings for the restoration of nearly 1,000 hectares of degraded landscapes in Olokemeji, supporting reforestation projects across Nigeria, and nurturing more than 63 Schools Conservation Clubs that groom young environmental stewards.

As visitors departed, many expressed renewed optimism for the future of Nigeria’s forests. The IITA Forest Center remains committed to documenting endangered species, collecting seeds and wildlings, and producing training resources to guide ecological restoration nationwide ensuring that Africa’s native trees continue to stand as symbols of identity, resilience, and pride.

Contributed by Folake Oduntan

The Ivorian delegates, led by the President of the Association of International Civil Servants of Cote d'Ivoire, Madame Ursule Tape, commending IITA DG, Dr Simeon Ehui and IITA staff for their professionalism and warm reception. — The Ivorian delegates, led by the President of the Association of International Civil Servants of Cote d’Ivoire, Madame Ursule Tape, commending IITA DG, Dr Simeon Ehui and IITA staff for their professionalism and warm reception.

Delegates from the Association of International Civil Servants of Côte d’Ivoire paid a study visit to IITA–CGIAR on 15 December, marking a significant step toward deepening collaboration in agricultural development, youth empowerment, and technology-driven solutions across West Africa.

The delegation was warmly received by Dr Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, who welcomed the team and encouraged them to fully explore IITA’s wide-ranging research, innovations, and partnerships aimed at transforming African agriculture. The visit provided an opportunity for the delegates to familiarize themselves with IITA’s mandate, crops, institutional structure, and scalable technologies that could complement existing agricultural systems in Côte d’Ivoire.

During an interactive session, Abdoulaye Tahirou, Acting Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, presented an overview of IITA’s organizational structure and its 2024–2030 Strategy, highlighting the Institute’s focus on impact at scale, partnerships, and sustainable food systems. He also shared insights into IITA’s work with young people through the IITA Youth in Agribusiness (IYA) program, which equips youth with agribusiness skills, market-ready technologies, and pathways to profitable enterprises.

Ivorian civil servants explore agricultural innovations to strengthen development partnerships — The Ivorian delegation and IITA team following boardroom discussions and interactive engagements on IITA’s innovations, systems, and technologies.

The delegates were introduced to IITA’s innovations and digital tools, including the Seed Tracker, which enhances transparency and efficiency in seed systems, as well as ongoing solutions in banana research and other mandate crops critical to food security and livelihoods in Africa. These discussions sparked strong interest from the delegation, particularly around opportunities for joint partnerships in youth training, leveraging the reach and proven successes of the IYA model.

A guided tour of IITA’s facilities further enriched the visit. At the Cassava Semi-Autotrophic Screenhouse, the delegation learned about IITA’s rapidly growing community-based seed systems for cassava, designed to ensure the availability of high-quality planting materials for farmers. The team also visited the Cassava Processing Unit, where they gained insights into IITA’s innovations in cassava processing, utilization, and mechanization—key areas for value addition and agribusiness development.

The tour continued to the vegetable screenhouses managed by IITA Youth in Agribusiness, where the delegates explored practical, market-oriented agribusiness models that generate quick returns for young entrepreneurs. Overall, the tour showcased innovative, scalable investment options with strong potential for adoption in Côte d’Ivoire.

Expressing her appreciation, Ursule Tape, President of the Association of International Civil Servants of Côte d’Ivoire, commended IITA for the warm reception and the professionalism of the staff engaged throughout the visit. She noted that the experience offered valuable lessons and practical ideas that could support agricultural transformation initiatives back home.

In his closing remarks, Dr Ehui encouraged the delegation to take advantage of the full range of opportunities available during their visit, including an engagement with IITA’s Sage Ambassador and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as they continue to explore pathways for impactful collaboration.

Contributed by Folake Oduntan

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Dr Jaindra demonstrating IITA's research work to the delegates. — Dr Jaindra demonstrating IITA’s research work to the delegates.

IITA–CGIAR in Kenya recently hosted a delegation from Madagascar for a learning visit aimed at deepening collaboration and sharing practical experiences across key areas of crop improvement. The visit brought together partners across the agricultural research ecosystem, with stops at IITA-supported facilities and collaborating institutions.

The delegation began their tour at the KALRO–Njoro Cassava Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) Facility, where IITA provided the training, technical support, and backstopping that enabled the successful establishment of the SAH system. The team observed firsthand how SAH is accelerating the production of clean cassava planting materials, improving efficiency, and supporting the strengthening of Kenya’s seed system.

Delegates from Madagascar visiting IITA labs at ILRI in Kenya.

At the IITA Biotechnology Laboratory, located at the ILRI Campus, the visitors were introduced to IITA’s integrated approach to crop improvement. Scientists showcased how genetic transformation, genome editing, tissue culture, and SAH propagation complement each other to develop resilient crop varieties. Discussions emphasized how these technologies can be adapted to address Madagascar’s agricultural challenges, particularly those related to pests, diseases, and climate pressures.

The delegation also visited the IITA Nematology Laboratory located at the ICIPE Campus, where they learned about the institute’s research on plant-parasitic nematodes, diagnostic tools, and integrated management strategies that help safeguard crop productivity. The hands-on demonstrations provided valuable insights into managing one of agriculture’s most persistent but often under-recognized threats.

In addition to IITA-led sessions, the delegation spent time with the International Potato Center (CIP) team, exploring potato breeding, seed production systems, and phytosanitary diagnostics. This engagement provided a broader understanding of root and tuber crop research and the complementary roles of CGIAR centers in strengthening seed systems across the region.

Reflecting on the visit, IITA Eastern Africa Hub Director, Dr Leena Tripathi, noted:

“Partnerships like this are central to building stronger, more resilient agricultural systems across Africa. We are proud to share our science, our innovations, and our experiences with Madagascar as we work together toward sustainable crop improvement and food security.”

The delegation expressed appreciation for the comprehensive exposure to research, diagnostics, and seed system innovations, marking the visit as a key step toward future collaboration in technology adoption and capacity building.

Contributed by Rose-Harriet Okech

Women in a superior banana variety, FHIA field in Kagera. (Photo credit: G.Ndibalema/IITA)

Tanzania is the second-largest banana producer in Eastern Africa, after Uganda. Kagera is the leading banana-producing region in the country, accounting for over half of the country’s banana production. Most banana varieties in Kagera are Highland Cooking bananas, commonly known as matooke, next to beer bananas and some dessert bananas. Smallholder farmers in the region have been highly vulnerable to food and income insecurity for decades, as all varieties are susceptible to major diseases and pests that cause significant yield losses.

Smallholder farmers, governmental and non-governmental organizations have made efforts to address the disease and pest challenges by introducing, propagating, and disseminating new varieties known as “Superior Banana Varieties” (SBVs), including FHIA hybrids and exotic landraces. However, adequate, systematic, and organized information on the uptake, adoption rates, determinants of adoption, and socioeconomic impacts was lacking, causing difficulty in determining the socioeconomic success of banana improvement initiatives and planning future interventions with new matooke hybrids.

SBVs shipped to big markets in Mwanza, Shinyanga, and Dar-Es-Salaam via Lake Victoria. (Photo credit: IITA)

In 2024, the agricultural economists and banana experts from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) explored the adoption and impact of SBVs in that region. Its results were bundled in a study entitled “Adoption and Impact of Superior Banana Varieties in Kagera, Tanzania: A guide for future distribution of banana breakthrough products”. It was concluded that the adoption rate of SBVs was 48% two decades after the first intervention.

The study found that the adoption rate was higher among male-headed households, where 48% of the sample households adopted SBVs in 2024, with 25% having adopted FHIA 17, followed by FHIA 23 (7%), and FHIA 25 (4%). The study noted farmers’ preferred traits and adoption criteria include tolerance to diseases and pests, adaptability to poor soil conditions, minimal organic fertilizer requirements, high yields (large fingers and bunches), better quality for juice and brewing, multi-purpose use for cooking, dessert, and roasting, and strong marketability.

“The farmers preferred FHIA 17 and FHIA 23 varieties for cooking and dessert, while for beverage making, Yangambi KM 5 and FHIA 25 were selected,” explains Dr Arega Alene, the Agricultural Economist at IITA.

The adoption of SBVs led to more households becoming self-sufficient in banana production, consuming and selling more bananas, and becoming more food secure. “On the other hand, the study showed that in households that adopted SBVs, women are more likely to be engaged in making decisions on sales than in households that have not adopted the varieties,” adds Dr Shiferaw Feleke, the lead of the study.

Moreover, the study revealed that the adoption of banana hybrids has increased productivity by 15% in Kagera by 2024, contributing nearly US$7 million worth of bananas to the region’s economy. This will generate more tax revenue due to increased trade volume and value in fresh and processed banana products.

These findings indicate that Kagera’s banana sector is undergoing a change, with improved varieties now recognized as key to long-term resilience and growth. It also shows that farmers are willing to add improved varieties even if they are quite different from the Highland Cooking bananas, which are a staple food. The strong interest from farmers reflects the success of past efforts to involve farmers from the very beginning in sensory evaluation of new varieties from breeding programs and promotion of SBVs through on-farm testing.

This highlights the need for increasing investments in banana research and scaling of the resulting innovations to address a broader range of production constraints and raise banana yields. “This is the first time that a study with new banana varieties has been conducted, revealing such a large impact,” Rony Swennen, IITA Banana Breeder, explains. Results and responses from farmers serve as a guide on how to spread the next wave of bananas, which are matooke hybrids released by TARI in 2021.

Contributed by Gloriana Ndibalema

Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, IITA Deputy Director General, Research for Development (R4D) presenting an award of appreciation to Dr Vincent Isegbe, Controller General of NAQS, during the dinner.

The IITA Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) hosted a warm and reflective commemorative dinner to honor more than five decades of impactful partnership with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) recently. The evening marked a longstanding collaboration that has strengthened safe germplasm exchange, ensured phytosanitary compliance, and facilitated the development of resilient agricultural systems in Nigeria and across Africa.

The NAQS delegation was led by Comptroller General (CG) Dr Vincent Isegbe and included senior officials such as Southwest Zonal Coordinator, Dr Joy Ivbade Ichue; Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Dr Akindele Ogunfunmilayo; and Dr Kazeem Adewale, Head of the NAQS Post-entry Quarantine Station in Ibadan, along with about 20 officers.

The event was presided over by IITA Deputy Director General for Research for Development (R4D), Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, representing the IITA Director General, and by Professor Michael Abberton, Director of the West Africa Hub and Head of the Genetic Resources Center (GRC). Other IITA participants included Head of Breeding, Dr Hapson Mushoriwa; Pathology and Mycotoxin/Aflasafe Lead, Dr Alejandro Ortega-Beltrán; Molecular Geneticist, Dr Ranjana Bhattacharjee; and Head of Communication, Katherine Lopez.

NAQS officials and IITA scientists with their spouses gathered for a group photograph after the celebratory dinner.

GHU members Oluwole Oguntade and Deborah Ajamu introduced the guests and anchored the program.

In his welcome remarks, Dr Lava Kumar, Head of IITA-GHU, highlighted that the IITA–NAQS partnership dates back to IITA’s early years and has grown into a mutually beneficial collaboration rooted in trust, shared purpose, and a longstanding commitment to plant health and biosecurity. He recalled NAQS’ 2021 “Service Support Award” to IITA, which recognized the Institute’s contributions to fulfilling the NAQS mandate.

Dr Vanlauwe commended NAQS for its unwavering collaboration and applauded initiatives led by Dr Isegbe to strengthen the agency, including major staff recruitment and the establishment of a new diagnostic laboratory in Benue State. Prof. Abberton emphasized the importance of international germplasm exchange, highlighting NAQS’s role as a frontline defense against transboundary pests and diseases and its strong cooperation with IITA’s GHU in supporting genebanks and crop improvement programs.

The centerpiece of the evening was the presentation of the “Award of Best Enabling Partner” to NAQS. Delivered by Dr Vanlauwe, the award recognized NAQS’ steadfast commitment to national biosecurity, its leadership in safeguarding agricultural resources, and its contribution to global food security and biodiversity conservation.

Receiving the award, Dr Vincent Isegbe expressed deep gratitude to IITA for its dedication to research, innovation, and capacity building. He underscored IITA’s vital role in improving food security and enhancing livelihoods across Nigeria, noting that its contributions are acknowledged and appreciated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Dr Isegbe also highlighted NAQS’ mandate to prevent the entry and spread of pests, diseases, and contaminants, protecting plant, animal, and aquatic resources while enabling international trade. He noted that NAQS currently certifies more than 30 export commodities—from grains and oil seeds to roots, tubers, spices, honey, and even cow horns—supporting a thriving agribusiness sector.

IITA further recognized two NAQS units—the Southwest Zonal Station (received by Dr Joy Ivbade Ichue) and the Post-entry Quarantine Station (received by Dr Kazeem)—with “Awards of Appreciation” for their longstanding collaboration.

In closing, Dr Kumar acknowledged the professionalism of NAQS officers who, while trusting IITA’s commitment to international phytosanitary standards, continue to uphold the principle of “trust but verify,” ensuring full compliance with national and global regulations.

The celebration marked a significant milestone and reaffirmed the shared vision of IITA and NAQS in building safe, resilient, and productive agricultural systems for Nigeria and the region.

Contributed by Folake Oduntan

The IITA Country Representative for Ghana, Dr Richard Asare (l) with the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Jakob Linulf (r) with some of the IITA researchers and staff in Ghana.

In a move to establish a strategic working relationship with the IITA–CGIAR, H. E. Jakob Linulf, the Danish Ambassador to Ghana, paid an official visit to the institute’s office in Accra, Ghana, on 1 December.

Linulf was welcomed by Dr Richard Asare, the IITA Country Representative for Ghana, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Nsiah, Dr Bekele Kotu, Dr Djana Mignouna, Dr Faustina Obeng-Adomaa, and the staff at the IITA Accra office.

In his welcome address, Dr Asare introduced IITA-CGIAR, highlighting its activities in the sub-Saharan regions of Africa. He indicated the importance of IITA’s collaborative work with the government of Ghana, the private sector, CSOs, and NGOs. He further highlighted the strategic work being conducted under various projects in Ghana. He identified the institute’s key areas, aligned with the CGIAR’s impact areas, namely Climate adaptation and mitigation, health and nutrition, system transformation, gender equality, youth, and social inclusion.

Following his address, he gave an update on the ongoing projects implemented by IITA in Ghana. The Sustainable Soybean Production in Northern Ghana (SSPiNG) project, implemented in 15 districts in Northern Ghana, and the BBEST project, which utilizes the BSF technology to provide new agricultural solutions to smallholder livestock and vegetable farmers, are both Norad-funded projects.

In addition to these, the AICCRA project funded by the World Bank works in collaboration with national and regional partners to transform climate services and to scale climate-smart agriculture, PROSSIVA works to enhance the efficiency and productivity of seeds system for vegetatively propagated crops, AKILIMO works to provide agronomic support to smallholder farmers and the Strengthening Rural Livelihoods, Resilience to Climate Change in Africa: Innovative Agroforestry Integrating People, Trees, Crops and Livestock (GALILEO) and the EU Food Security project, which is a response to food security in the Northern part of Ghana;

He also mentioned the importance of the Wassa Amenfi Cocoa Landscape Initiative and the Cocoa Agroforestry Systems for Resilient Smallholder Livelihoods in Ghana (CASILIENT), both of which are projects funded by the Danida Green Business Partnerships (DGBP).

Linulf provided an overview of the embassy’s portfolio in Ghana. He said, “The embassy focuses on the following areas: health, meteorological services, and water”. He added that the embassy works collaboratively with the government of Ghana.

One key highlight of this strategic meeting was discussing collaboration and cooperation between the institute and Danish Universities and companies.

Dr Asare highlighted a few challenges, including climatic conditions in northern Ghana, illegal mining, and rising cases of water pollution, as well as competition for land resulting from illegal mining, especially in cocoa-growing areas. He reaffirmed IITA’s commitment to collaborate with the Embassy of Denmark in Ghana.

Contributed by Francisca Ocloo

Research theme: Making healthy crops

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