International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

21/08/2026

Local seed producers in just received a game-changing package of tools, equipment, and seeds — thanks to the -funded project and national partners. 🌾🇱🇷

Better-equipped producers means better seeds, better harvests, and better lives for farming communities.

Read the full story 👇🏾
https://on.cgiar.org/3TXpoLt



Ministry of Agriculture Liberia - MOA Liberia European Union in Liberia

21/08/2026

This week in 2002, on August 19, IITA's Weekly Bulletin published a special feature celebrating the Institute's record of excellence in agricultural research, highlighting major CGIAR awards that recognised decades of scientific innovation and impact across Africa.
The feature highlighted several landmark recognitions received by IITA, including:
1986 – CGIAR King Baudouin International Agricultural Research Award for developing maize streak virus-resistant germplasm.
1990 – CGIAR King Baudouin International Agricultural Research Award (with CIAT) for the biological control of cassava mealybug.
1994 – CGIAR King Baudouin International Agricultural Research Award for research on Black Sigatoka resistance and Musa genetics.
1996 – CGIAR Outstanding Partnership Award for cassava improvement in Sierra Leone.
1999 – CGIAR Outstanding Support Staff Award presented to Paul Ilona.
1999 – CGIAR Promising Young Scientist Award presented to James Legg.
2000 – CGIAR Promising Young Scientist Award presented to Bernard Vanlauwe.
Together, these recognitions reflected IITA's leadership in advancing agricultural research, fostering innovation, and improving livelihoods across Africa.
Over the years, IITA has continued to blaze the trail with cutting-edge innovations and improving the livelihoods of millions across the continent.

Learn more about what we do at IITA: https://iita.org/

IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture-RDC IITA Madagascar IITA-Uganda Radio IITA IITA TV Sanctuaire des singes de Drabo Gbo de l'IITA Bénin IITA Benin Officiel

Africa’s leading partner in research for development The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Workin...

21/08/2026

Our Friday story coming in from ! 😃🥳
For generations, the global coffee story has largely belonged to two names: Arabica and Robusta.
However, in the shadow of these two names is a third species, rarer, larger, deeply rooted in West African history, and gradually gaining recognition in the coffee market. The name is . ☕️☕️
Read more...
https://iita.org/news-item/rediscovering-liberias-coffee-for-global-markets/

IITA Madagascar IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture-RDC IITA-Uganda Radio IITA IITA TV

For generations, the global coffee story has largely belonged to two names: Arabica and Robusta. Prized for its delicate flavors and […]

21/08/2026

🌳🌳🌳🌍🌍🌍
Today, IITA Forest Center welcomed about a 100 delegates from the 54th International Forestry Students’ Symposium (IFSS 2026), representing different nations and higher institutions.

🌱🌱 The visit was not just about learning, it was also about giving back to the forest. The delegates planted 12 different newly collected native tree species, contributing to IITA Forest Center’s efforts to strengthen the conservation bank of threatened and endangered indigenous species.

🌳🌳 Among the species planted were Tieghemella heckelii, Picralima nitida, Maranthes glabra, Anonidium mannii, and Buchholzia coriacea (Wonderful Cola). The newly collected species were sponsored by Dr John Peacock to strengthen IITA Forest Center’s living conservation bank.

🌱🌱 The delegates also learned about our history, environmental education and empowerment programmes, reforestation work, and nature conservation initiatives, while sharing experiences on forest restoration from other parts of the world.

21/08/2026

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

Africa's agricultural transformation requires collaboration across sectors and borders.

At the upcoming The Africa Food Systems Forum - AGRF, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Dr Simeon Ehui will join other stakeholders to contribute to key conversations on strengthening food systems, accelerating innovation adoption, empowering farmers, and building resilience in the face of climate and economic challenges in Rwanda.

Join us as we engage with partners working to create a more food-secure and prosperous Africa.

IITA Benin Officiel IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture-RDC IITA Madagascar IITA-Uganda IITA TV Radio IITA

20/08/2026

from Day3

Dr Todd Krone and Dr Rita Gandhi of gave a presentation on, “Strategies and Opportunities to Enhance Seed Production: An Overview by PowerPollen,” during an engaging seminar attended by lITA scientists on Day 3 of their 2-weeks scoping visit to the Institute's headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Dr Krone shared how PowerPollen was born about 11 years ago from a key challenge: there is often not enough pollen available when it is needed for seed production.
Their solution? Collect pollen from the field, preserve it, store it under controlled conditions, and apply it when needed for pollination. This helps to bridge the gap between conventional seed set and biological potential.

The delegates also visited IITA’s banana, cassava, and yam fields and met with technical teams to review protocols and understand existing workflows.

The visit continues with deeper discussions on pollen preservation, germination, viability, and pollination, followed by project discussions and next steps.

CGIAR IITA-Food and Nutrition Sciences Laboratory IITA GRC IITA Madagascar

19/08/2026

from Day 2

Building on the first day’s engagement, the PowerPollen delegates met with technical teams from IITA’s Banana, Cassava, Yam, and Genetic Resources Centre (GRC) programs to discuss the planned activities, expected outputs, and technical priorities for the two-week visit.

Discussions focused on approaches for sustaining breeding efforts through the effective preservation and use of pollen across the different crops.

To deepen their understanding of IITA’s research systems and facilities, the delegates also visited the GRC, Bioscience Center, Virology, Diagnostics and Germplasm Health Unit (GHU), Nematology Laboratory, Food and Nutrition Laboratory, and Farm Unit.

The visit is expected to strengthen technical knowledge exchange and explore innovative approaches that can enhance pollen management and accelerate RTB crop breeding.

CGIAR Pollen IITA Madagascar IITA Benin Officiel IITA-Food and Nutrition Sciences Laboratory IITA GRC Radio IITA IITA TV