The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security and promoting sustainable agriculture through expanded partnerships aimed at improving productivity, supporting farmers and increasing the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices. The commitment was highlighted during a stakeholders’ forum held in Ibadan, where government officials, development organisations, research institutions and farmer groups discussed ...

Agricultural experts and development organisations have raised fresh concerns over the rapid decline in soil health and fertility across West Africa, warning that worsening land degradation could undermine food security, rural livelihoods and climate resilience in the region. Despite agriculture remaining the backbone of employment and economic activity across much of West Africa, large areas ...

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-CGIAR), in partnership with the Cross River State Government, has launched a training program focused on yam seed technologies, agronomic practices, and agribusiness development in Nigeria’s Cross River State. The week-long Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Calabar brought together yam farmers, Local Government Directors of Agriculture, State Agriculture ...

A Major Breakthrough for African Agriculture In a significant move to transform farming across sub-Saharan Africa, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Bayer have announced a multi-year research collaboration aimed at accelerating agricultural innovation and strengthening scientific capacity. The partnership, running through 2028, is designed to develop climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutrient-rich crop varieties tailored specifically ...

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships. ABUJA, Nigeria, February 26, 2026/ — The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement ...

Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening women’s economic participation in agriculture through the Renewed Hope Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) programme. The minister made this known during a working visit to the International Institute ...

By Moureen Awori, Communication and Visibility Expert (IITA), with contributions from Ngowenani Nohayi (IWMI) and George Mahuku (IITA) Uniting to drive transformative change in Eastern and Southern Africa, the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program under Area of Work 5 (AoW5): Learning for Impact, recently brought together a diverse group of regional partners, led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Water Management ...

Scientists and researchers in Africa say they are working together and are producing positive results in the fight against microscopic potato cyst nematode (PCN) infestation in key crops like potatoes. Science experts from the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), in collaboration with Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT-Africa) under the auspices of the African Cereal ...

In a move to deepen collaboration in agricultural research and innovation, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, visited the IITA headquarters in Ibadan recently. The visit marks a renewed commitment to building strategic partnerships between Rwanda and IITA in advancing agricultural transformation across Africa. Welcoming the Rwandan delegation, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director ...

Maize is crucial to food security and economic sustainability in Nigeria and Africa. While improved maize varieties have the potential to boost agricultural productivity and profitability, their adoption is shaped by various social and economic factors. Recent studies emphasize the need for a gender-responsive approach to maize breeding to ensure that both women and men ...