Research and innovations being developed at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) hold promise, and could transform Nigeria’s agricultural narrative, says Nigeria’s agricultural think-tank, the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG). The think tank, which comprises eminent persons drawn from Nigeria’s private sector players in the agricultural value chain and led by its Vice president,…
Zero Hunger: IITA set to offer solution to weed menace as stakeholders raise concerns
A team of researchers working on the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture-managed Cassava Weed Management Project (IITA-CWMP) have said findings from the five-year project will respond and address the problems of weeds especially in cassava farming systems. The challenge of weeds on Nigeria’s agricultural productivity was brought to the fore at the meeting of the…
Global cassava coalition wants support for cassava transformation in Africa
Ahead of the international conference on cassava, the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st Century (GCP21) has called on policy makers, donors and the international community to support all efforts that will bring about cassava transformation in Africa. The call is coming at a time when cassava is becoming central to food security of over…
Obasanjo and governors highlight gains of Zero Hunger initiative
Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said recently he was impressed with the impact the Nigeria Zero Hunger Forum (NZHF) was making especially in promoting healthy competition among states with a view to achieving food security. Speaking at the NZHF meeting in Ebonyi state, President Obasanjo said he see a healthy competition between states as…
Tech used to prevent spread of Zika and Ebola to tackle “forest fire” wheat rust epidemics
By Clifford Akumu The same device that helped control the Zika and Ebola viruses, could soon be used to tackle devastating wheat rust epidemics that are threatening global food security, thanks in part to a US$100k research grant awarded by the CGIAR Platform for Big Data in Agriculture. The “laptop lab” technology will be used…
Kenyan Youths vouch for Ecological Farming
By George Okore Kenyan students want their government to take urgent steps to safe-guard the country’s food security and protect consumers from the threats of a broken food system. Youths from eight Kenyan universities, joined other stakeholders in celebrating today’s World Food Day (WFD), urged Kenyan government to putting in place policies that are…
Why “Namikonga” farmers’ variety can withstand devastating effects of deadly viral cassava disease
Scientists have now shed more light on how a farmers’ variety in Tanzania is able to tolerate the deadly viral Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) disease after infection, showing limited symptoms and impact on yield. The team have established that ‘Namikonga’ plants have a complex line of defense involving many biochemical pathways and genes that…
Researchers employ SAH technology to speed up multiplication of cassava planting materials
Scientists working on cassava breeding now use the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technology to rev up the propagation of clean cassava planting materials. Using modified soil that holds plant roots in planting pots with little water, SAH has trays that are filled with a little amount of water, with the soil transporting the moisture up to…