Ahead of the August elections, farmers from Machakos have begun a movement, to reclaim their food systems from the clutches of big agribusiness, middlemen and from the lure of agrochemicals. The movement, rooted in agro-ecology, aims to create awareness among farmers and farming communities about the benefits of ecological farming and to create adequate support…
Gowon, Obasanjo to address scientists as they grace IITA’s 50th anniversary celebration
Two former heads of state of Nigeria, Dr Yakubu Gowon, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo will grace the 50th anniversary celebration (IITA@50) of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan on 24 July where they will address a gathering of scientists. Other confirmed participants include Dr Akin Adesina, President of the African Development Bank…
Elanco Animal Health to bring products to Small Holder Farmers, increasing food security in East Africa
Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Company announced Wednesday that it received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide sustainable development solutions to address food insecurity in East African countries. The commitment will work to improve animal health and productivity in dairy herds and poultry flocks for smallholder…
IITA donates 35,930 kilos ‘Seeds of Renaissance’ to Nigeria
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Monday donated about 35,930 kilograms of seeds to the Borno state government as part of efforts to cushion the humanitarian crisis in the northeastern part of Nigeria. The donation, which is perhaps the largest quantity of seeds being offered to Nigeria in recent times, is an initiative of…
Orange-fleshed sweetpotato in school meals improves nutrition in Nigeria
The inclusion of Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) in wheat bread and school meals has led to the boost of the nutritional status of children and could help Nigeria to reduce its imports of wheat drastically. Developed by the International Potato Center (abbreviated by Spanish acronym CIP) and partners, the OFSP varieties are rich in Vitamin…
Revised Handbook of West African Weeds launched
A team from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture managed Cassava Weed Management Project has published a revised version of the Handbook of West African Weeds. Launched Tuesday in Ibadan, Nigeria by the Senior Program Officer of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lawrence Kent during the annual review and work planning meeting of the…
Drought and Resilience in East Africa
By Paola Nano Today, April 22nd, is Earth Day. Exactly one year ago, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed, potentially marking a historic turning point against anthropogenic climate change This is not a matter of preventative measures we must take to avoid a future problem: climate change is already happening, and the effects have been…
Cassava: Over 100 trained as spray service providers
Close to a hundred people have trained as spray service providers on herbicides application, safety and use in Abia state, Nigeria. The training, which came at the onset of cassava planting season, was conducted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture led Cassava Weed Management Project in partnership with the National Root Crops Research Institute,…