Scientific breakthroughs deliver lasting impact when they are developed responsibly and supported by robust systems that ensure quality, transparency, and accountability. At IITA–CGIAR, stewardship of ‘Biotechnology Products’ is central to this commitment, providing the framework that enables innovations to progress responsibly from the laboratory to farmers’ fields.
This commitment has once again been independently validated.
IITA has successfully completed its third consecutive external Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) audit and its first Plant Breeding Innovation Management Program (PBIMP) audit, with zero non-conformances, reaffirming the institute’s adherence to internationally recognized standards for stewardship, quality management, and responsible research. ETS and PBIMP are programs of The Global Stewardship Group that promote the responsible management of agricultural technologies, including transgenic and genome-editing technologies, while also advancing global stewardship education.
A key highlight of the audit was the recognition of IITA’s Banana Tracker, a digital stewardship platform that strengthens traceability and oversight of genome-edited banana materials throughout the research pipeline. From construct development and laboratory activities to field trials, the system supports data integrity, accountability, and regulatory readiness.
The audit assessed IITA’s stewardship framework across laboratory operations, biosafety, governance, documentation, quality management, regulatory compliance, and product stewardship processes supporting advanced breeding technologies.
Achieving three consecutive external audits without non-conformance reflects years of sustained investment in institutional systems, continuous improvement, and a culture of accountability that is embedded across multidisciplinary teams.
“At IITA, stewardship is not simply about meeting requirements but about building trust,” said Dr Leena Tripathi, Director of the Eastern Africa Hub, Director of Genetic Innovation and Leader of the Biotechnology Program at IITA. “Strong stewardship systems ensure that our innovations are developed responsibly, transparently, and with integrity, providing confidence to regulators, partners, donors, and ultimately the farmers we serve.”
As IITA advances genome editing and other next-generation breeding technologies to address climate change, emerging pests and diseases, and food insecurity, these systems ensure that innovation is supported by rigorous governance at every stage: from research to eventual deployment.
This achievement reflects the collective efforts of all team members whose dedication has established IITA as a trusted partner in accelerating the responsible delivery of agricultural innovations to farmers across the continent.