{"id":18161,"date":"2026-06-20T13:02:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/cassava-farmers-processors-and-researchers-unite-to-drive-innovation-at-radioiita-outreach\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:52:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:52:41","slug":"cassava-farmers-processors-and-researchers-unite-to-drive-innovation-at-radioiita-outreach","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/cassava-farmers-processors-and-researchers-unite-to-drive-innovation-at-radioiita-outreach\/","title":{"rendered":"Cassava farmers, processors, and researchers unite to drive innovation at RadioIITA outreach"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dr
Dr Ismail Rabbi, IITA Cassava Breeding Program Lead interacting with a female cassava farmer-processor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a compelling show of research-community collaboration, the IITA<\/a>\u2013CGIAR<\/a> recently hosted its annual Cassava Farmers-Processors Outreach Program\u2014a flagship event jointly organized by Radio IITA<\/a> and the Cassava Breeding Program (CBP). The event brought together farmers, processors, researchers, and communication experts with a common goal: to transform cassava productivity through innovation, knowledge sharing, adoption of improved varieties, and value addition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers and processors from Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Lagos States participated in the outreach, which was designed as a \u201ctrain-the-trainer\u201d initiative. Additional participants engaged on Facebook<\/a>. This model empowers selected participants to serve as ambassadors, returning to their communities with valuable knowledge on best agronomic practices, improved cassava varieties, and value-added food products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Ismail Rabbi<\/a>, Head of the IITA Cassava Breeding Unit, emphasized the program’s participatory approach. \u201cCassava farmers are central to our mission,\u201d he said. \u201cThis outreach is not just about delivering innovation; it\u2019s about listening, learning, and co-creating solutions that work in the field and for users.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Participants
Participants at the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) screen house facility.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Head of IITA Communication Office, Katherine Lopez<\/a>, emphasized the impact of the outreach. \u201cThis program bridges the gap between research and the field. When farmers engage directly with our scientists, the results are transformational for yields and livelihoods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dajie Odok Blessing<\/a>, Radio IITA Lead, noted, \u201cThe impact stories<\/a> we have heard from past participants<\/a> are proof of the model\u2019s success. Our follow-up visits show that real change is taking place across communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the interactive sessions, farmers shared challenges and success stories. Felicia Owolabi from Oyo State praised the new \u2018Biggie\u2019 variety for its high yield after just eight months while voicing concerns about rodent damage. Another farmer highlighted the need for varieties with longer in-ground shelf lives to allow harvest flexibility during favorable market conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Hands-on
Hands-on training on weed control and fertilizer use led by experts Toye Ayankanmi, Oke Esezobor, and Abolore Bello.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response, Dr Rabbi explained ongoing breeding efforts to address such concerns. He mentioned that the breeding program was screening its collection for varieties showing less attraction to rodents and those that can stay in the ground for more than 12 months without rotting or becoming fibrous. He advised farmers to use the updated cassava variety handbook to select varieties suited to their specific conditions. He also urged farmers near IITA testing stations to collaborate by offering parts of their land for use as demonstration plots. To improve stem preservation, he recommended a simple method: storing cut stems upright with their bases in moist soil under shade, which can extend their viability for several weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants received hands-on weed control, fertilizer use, and herbicide application training led by experts, Toye Ayankanmi, Oke Esezobor, and Abolore Bello. These practical sessions complemented a visit to IITA\u2019s state-of-the-art cassava processing center, where participants witnessed the transformation of cassava into high-value nutritious food products such as cassava cake, snacks, leaf soup, and even cassava ice cream, highlighting opportunities for value addition and income diversification. These innovations, showcased by Abioye Racheal, Dayo Ogunade, and Owoade Durodola, directly address marketability and income diversification for farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Interactive
Interactive cassava food products exhibition at the cassava modern supermarket with outreach participants led by Racheal Abioye.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A major highlight was the tour of the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) laboratory led by ThankGod Ogwuche, who demonstrated the use of clean, certified stems and advanced multiplication techniques to ensure timely access to healthy planting materials, crucial for food security and genetic integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With continued follow-up, increased farmer-scientist collaboration, and a commitment to knowledge dissemination, IITA Cassava Outreach is advancing a more productive, resilient cassava sector for Nigeria and Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Ismail Rabbi and Bamise Dada<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a compelling show of research-community collaboration, the IITA-CGIAR recently hosted its annual Cassava Farmers-Processors Outreach Program\u2014a flagship event jointly organized by Radio IITA and the Cassava Breeding Program (CBP).<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18162,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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