IITA impact on cassava continues to spread
The impact of IITA’s 5-year collaboration with USAID and Shell Petroleum Development Company in the Cassava Enterprise Development Project (CEDP), from 2004 to 2009, continues to shine…
Manioc
Engaging youths in agriculture brings hope to Africa and makes the IFAD President proud
The activities of young men and women in the Youth Agripreneurs (IYA) program under the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have made the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) President Dr Kanayo Nwanze proud; and rekindled the hope of a new generation of African agricultural entrepreneurs that will feed the continent, create wealth and employment…
Nigeria releases more cassava with higher pro-vitamin A to fight micronutrient deficiency
Three newly improved vitamin A cassava varieties with yellow roots have been released by the Nigerian government, stepping up efforts to tackle the problem of vitamin A deficiency especially among women and children in the country. These new varieties were developed jointly by IITA and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) Umudike…
IFAD backs cassava flour in bread and confectionery
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is supporting the inclusion of cassava flour in bread and other forms of confectionery as part of efforts to improve food security and the livelihoods of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa…
IFAD cites IITA efforts to eradicate cassava mosaic disease
Racha Omar, representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo, visited IITA-Kinshasa and different community sites in DRC supported by the Institute on 20 August to witness IITA’s work in the fight against the devastating cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and the inclusion of the value chain approach to agricultural development…
IITA does it again – Launch of IITA Kalambo a resounding success
IITA has again successfully launched a new science facility―this time at its station in Kalambo, by the shores of Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The facility, which has wellequipped laboratories and a crop processing center, was launched on 5 June 2014 by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Jean Chrisostome Vahamuitsi Mukesyayira on behalf of the President, His Excellency Joseph Kabila Kabangi…
Roadmap for cassava-based animal feed system in Africa to be drawn in IITA
Top international researchers will meet with decision makers, business people, and other stakeholders working in the Nigerian cassava sector in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, 28 to 30 October. Top international researchers will meet with decision makers, business people, and other stakeholders working in the Nigerian cassava sector in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, 28 to 30 October…
Researchers and partners discuss value addition in cassava through cassava-based feeds
More than 50 experts on cassava, nutrition and livestock, the private sector—represented by producers and feed millers—and representatives from donor groups, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development, and development partners, came together in IITA this week to discuss how cassava residues or by-products such as cassava peels can be used in industry and to add value to the industrial cassava value chain…
Cassava varieties tolerant to deadly viral diseases shared across five countries
Five countries that are severely affected by deadly viral diseases threatening to wipe out cassava in East, Central, and Southern Africa, have joined efforts to tackle the problem. These countries agreed to share their top five varieties that could best withstand these threats. The 25 varieties will then be evaluated in each country to identify varieties well adapted to various cassava-growing regions and acceptable to the local farming communities…
NEXTGEN Cassava project sets precedent for open access data sharing in agricultural research
Six months after the launch of the $25.2M NEXTGEN Cassava project at Cornell University, scientists on the project have released Cassavabase, a database that promotes open access data sharing…