A delegation from Guinea Conakry, in collaboration with the World Bank, paid a high-level working visit to IITA–CGIAR from 17 to 19 June. The engagement aimed to strengthen cooperation in agricultural research, seed system development, and the innovation-driven transformation of Guinea’s agricultural sector.
The mission formed part of broader efforts to reposition agriculture as a key driver of economic growth in Guinea by improving productivity, strengthening research systems, and building stronger partnerships with international institutions. Discussions focused on scaling improved seed systems, expanding digital agriculture tools, and ensuring that research outputs are effectively translated into real farming solutions.
During the visit, the delegation interacted with IITA experts and toured several research and innovation facilities. They were exposed to advanced breeding platforms, seed multiplication systems, biotechnology applications, soil health tools, and digital technologies supporting modern agriculture across Africa.
A major part of the mission involved technical exchanges with Jeanne Coulibaly Oyolola, Agriculture Economist at the World Bank, and Dr Mamady Diawara, Director General of IRAG (Institut de Recherche Agronomique de Guinée – Institute of Agronomic Research of Guinea). Their contributions highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in Guinea’s agricultural development agenda.
Oyolola explained that Guinea’s agriculture is constrained by low productivity, especially in rice and maize, as well as declining soil fertility and low fertilizer use. She also pointed to weak irrigation systems, underdeveloped laboratory infrastructure, and limited post-harvest handling capacity. Beyond technical issues, she stressed structural challenges such as limited financing and low participation of youth and women in agriculture.
She noted IITA’s strong integrated approach, which connects research with processing, entrepreneurship, and market systems. She highlighted soil fertility mapping, cassava processing innovations, and youth agribusiness programs. “Coming here, I am particularly impressed to see IITA’s intervention at every level of the agricultural value chain and beyond production,” she said during her interview.
She also referenced the World Bank’s AgriConnect initiative, which supports market access, job creation, and food system resilience, and serves as a key platform supporting collaboration.
Dr Diawara explained IRAG’s role as Guinea’s national agricultural research institute, responsible for developing and releasing improved varieties of rice, maize, cassava, cotton, and other key crops. He highlighted progress in seed development and ongoing efforts to modernize research infrastructure and strengthen institutional capacity.
He emphasized IITA’s key contributions in cassava improvement, rice breeding, soil mapping, and biotechnology solutions. Particular interest was given to aflatoxin control in maize, soybean inoculation technology—Nodumax, which improves yields, and cassava multiplication systems that rapidly produce clean planting materials while reducing disease spread.
He also stressed the need to strengthen seed systems through seed banks, genetic conservation, and digital traceability tools such as Seed Tracker. Additional priorities included plant health management, laboratory upgrades, improved soil analysis, and reduced post-harvest losses, alongside biofortification efforts such as vitamin A-enriched maize. “Another thing that we noticed during this mission, which will probably strengthen our partnership, is the support of farmers as well as the support of young entrepreneurs in the agricultural field.” He added.
Both sides agreed on the importance of youth and women empowerment through agribusiness incubation, skills development, and advisory support. Digital agriculture tools, such as AI-driven advisory systems and integrated data platforms, were also highlighted as key to modernizing extension services and improving decision-making.
The mission further emphasized the need to upgrade research infrastructure, including laboratories, mechanization systems, and biotechnology facilities, while strengthening scientific exchange between Guinea and IITA for long-term capacity-building.
A shared priority was the development of a clear implementation framework with short-, medium-, and long-term actions, supported by measurable indicators to track progress and ensure accountability.
To express their gratitude to the Director General, Dr Simeon Ehui, and IITA, the delegation presented an award and indigenous traditional attire from different regions in Guinea.
The visit ended with a renewed commitment from both sides to strengthen collaboration and drive agricultural transformation in Guinea through innovation, stronger institutions, and sustainable partnerships that improve food security, productivity, and rural livelihoods.
Contributed by
Tolulope Akinola