{"id":11133,"date":"2026-05-15T07:22:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/?page_id=11133"},"modified":"2026-05-21T14:02:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T14:02:17","slug":"cowpea-breeding-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/programs\/breeding\/cowpea-breeding-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Programme d'am\u00e9lioration du ni\u00e9b\u00e9"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11133\" class=\"elementor elementor-11133\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c049f3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9c049f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e839d2e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2e839d2e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c47a702 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c47a702\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65ccced4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65ccced4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cowpea Breeding Program <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f03b636 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"2f03b636\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"why-it-matters\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23b9dc72 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"23b9dc72\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c8bfa07 menu-wrapper-parent e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c8bfa07\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_motion_fx_scrolling&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;motion_fx_devices&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7de9b8de left-menu-arrow elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"7de9b8de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M34.52 239.03L228.87 44.69c9.37-9.37 24.57-9.37 33.94 0l22.67 22.67c9.36 9.36 9.37 24.52.04 33.9L131.49 256l154.02 154.75c9.34 9.38 9.32 24.54-.04 33.9l-22.67 22.67c-9.37 9.37-24.57 9.37-33.94 0L34.52 272.97c-9.37-9.37-9.37-24.57 0-33.94z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b748850 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-none elementor-nav-menu__align-center scrolling-menu-container elementor-widget-tablet__width-inherit elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"2b748850\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-caret-down\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 320 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M31.3 192h257.3c17.8 0 26.7 21.5 14.1 34.1L174.1 354.8c-7.8 7.8-20.5 7.8-28.3 0L17.2 226.1C4.6 213.5 13.5 192 31.3 192z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-2b748850\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10358\"><a href=\"#why-it-matters\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Why it Matters<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10361\"><a href=\"#focus-areas\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Focus Areas<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10376\"><a href=\"#impact\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Activities &#038; Achievements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10380\"><a href=\"#impact-cases\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Impact<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10378\"><a href=\"#resources\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10379\"><a href=\"#news\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-2b748850\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10358\"><a href=\"#why-it-matters\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Why it Matters<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10361\"><a href=\"#focus-areas\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Focus Areas<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10376\"><a href=\"#impact\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Activities &#038; Achievements<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10380\"><a href=\"#impact-cases\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Impact<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10378\"><a href=\"#resources\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10379\"><a href=\"#news\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed29dbb right-menu-arrow elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"ed29dbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-309f0981 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-progress-tracker\" data-id=\"309f0981\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;relative_to&quot;:&quot;entire_page&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;mobile&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\" data-widget_type=\"progress-tracker.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-scrolling-tracker elementor-scrolling-tracker-horizontal elementor-scrolling-tracker-alignment-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"current-progress\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"current-progress-percentage\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-408bad22 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"408bad22\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4eca534b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4eca534b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2466247b elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2466247b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1aad3094 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1aad3094\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Cowpea Breeding Program <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3571fbad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3571fbad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The IITA Cowpea Breeding Program develops improved cowpea varieties that enhance food security, nutrition, and livelihoods across sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is a vital grain legume widely grown and consumed in West and Central Africa, providing affordable protein for millions of people and income for smallholder farmers. However, cowpea production faces major constraints including pests, parasitic weeds such as Striga, drought stress, and low soil fertility.<\/p><p>The program combines advanced breeding methods, genomic tools, and participatory testing with farmers to develop high-yielding, climate-resilient, and market-preferred varieties. Working closely with national agricultural research systems, seed companies, and development partners, the program ensures rapid delivery and adoption of improved varieties. Over the past decades, IITA and its partners have released numerous improved cowpea varieties that have significantly increased productivity and strengthened the cowpea value chain across the region.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25c6c89b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"25c6c89b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d5d260e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6d5d260e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"638\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cowpea.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11189\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cowpea.png 638w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cowpea-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Cowpea-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3175746a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3175746a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72138b55 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"72138b55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48c1b354 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48c1b354\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Objectives<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f87faca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f87faca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Develop breakthrough cowpea varieties that are high-yielding, climate-resilient and adapted to diverse African agroecologies.<\/li><li>Utilize cutting edge tools including genomics, genome editing, and genetic transformation to improve resistance to major pests and diseases, including aphids, pod borers, bacterial blight resistance and parasitic weeds such as Striga.<\/li><li>Enhance nutritional quality and grain market traits to meet consumer and market demands.<\/li><li>Accelerate genetic gains through modern breeding technologies, including genomic selection and marker-assisted breeding.<\/li><li>Strengthen seed systems and partnerships to ensure rapid dissemination and adoption of improved cowpea varieties.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56937d8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"56937d8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"focus-areas\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-626fe33d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"626fe33d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2919aaf4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2919aaf4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Focus Areas<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c8892ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3c8892ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Enhancing the performance of agricultural value chains through market systems development, private sector partnerships, and <br \/>scalable agribusiness solutions that improve livelihoods and food security.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fe93065 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2fe93065\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-297d67bd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"297d67bd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bd7dad4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7bd7dad4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6011af7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6011af7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Breakthrough Product Development Using Modern Breeding Technologies<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78737edf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78737edf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The program is developing next-generation cowpea varieties through the Cowpea Breeding Breakthrough Project, supported by the Gates Foundation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cc91c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"9cc91c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1640\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1640\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1640\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f68325d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3f68325d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1640\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ec7ef0c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3ec7ef0c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c6227b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c6227b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>This initiative integrates advanced breeding tools such as marker validation and deployment in marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection, gene editing, and genetic transformation to accelerate genetic gains and deliver high-impact varieties with improved yield, resilience, and pest resistance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54196421 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"54196421\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-385d459f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"385d459f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35680984 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35680984\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Climate Resilience through Genebank Allele Mining<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d9fb665 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6d9fb665\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0IITA researchers are leveraging global cowpea germplasm collections to identify valuable alleles for adaptation to climate stress.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b6eb112 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"1b6eb112\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-4600\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-4600\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4600\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17190d31 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"17190d31\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4600\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63ac2332 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"63ac2332\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64fec0d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"64fec0d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>established and approved SOPs. We measure traits such as yield, agronomic performance, pest and disease resistance and quality in both the germplasm and hybrids to select superior parents and new varieties. Image based phenotyping is under development for all traits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-430d5f2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"430d5f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f34e83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7f34e83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-668c9b2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"668c9b2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mutation Breeding for Insect Resistance<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15c0fc6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15c0fc6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The program is exploring mutation breeding to create novel genetic variation for resistance to key insect pests such as the Maruca pod borer<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-522625e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"522625e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1370\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1370\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1370\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13e1a877 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13e1a877\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1370\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2143a284 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2143a284\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-723263ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"723263ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>one of the most destructive pests of cowpea. Using gamma irradiation, breeding lines are treated to induce beneficial mutations, which are then screened for improved resistance and agronomic performance. This work is conducted in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40d2a173 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"40d2a173\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ec068d5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1ec068d5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e79eb0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e79eb0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-695dba35 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"695dba35\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Integrated Pest and Disease Resistance Breeding<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ff8aac8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ff8aac8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Breeding efforts prioritize resistance to major cowpea constraints including aphids, flower thrips, bacterial blight, and parasitic weeds such as Striga.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44ea8fcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"44ea8fcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1150\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1150\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1150\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b421e60 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6b421e60\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1150\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c2e3279 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1c2e3279\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2875e271 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2875e271\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Molecular markers and advanced phenotyping are used to accelerate the identification and deployment of resistance genes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7a688a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a7a688a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddaacc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ddaacc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"49\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plant.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1641\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2c46cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c2c46cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Market-Driven and Nutrition-Sensitive Breeding<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf8cb80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf8cb80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The program focuses on developing varieties that meet the preferences of farmers, consumers, and markets.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2037161 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"2037161\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-3370\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-3370\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> See more <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3370\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5d7015 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e5d7015\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-3370\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60ab8f3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"60ab8f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-170aaf4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"170aaf4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Traits such as grain size, seed coat color, cooking quality, and nutritional value are integrated into breeding pipelines to ensure improved varieties are widely adopted<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-895e662 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"895e662\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53c5a250 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"53c5a250\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"impact\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c70bee3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c70bee3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-469f4040 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"469f4040\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36229d9e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"36229d9e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b2c58ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b2c58ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Achievements<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9aedcc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b9aedcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Over the past decade, IITA and its national partners have made remarkable progress in developing, releasing, and promoting improved cowpea varieties that respond to the needs of farmers, processors, and consumers across West and Central Africa.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a90e6b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"a90e6b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1770\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1770\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Varietal Releases <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1770\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ccf688f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ccf688f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1770\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68f8ca48 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68f8ca48\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7402d50e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7402d50e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore than 20 IITA improved cowpea varieties have been released in collaboration with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, and Cameroon. Below are some of the improved cowpea varieties developed and released in the past 10 years:\n<table style=\"height: 3076px;\" width=\"531\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>Variety<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\"><strong>Country<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\"><strong>Key trait<\/strong><\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\"><strong>Release<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT17K-1279-3-1 (SAMPEA 22)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">High yield 2.8 t\/ha, Early maturing (64 to 72) days, Resistant to Striga, Resistant to Bacterial blight<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT15K-2445 (SAMPEA 23)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">High yield 2.5 t\/ha, Early maturing (63 to 74) days, Tolerant to Striga, Resistant to Bacterial blight, small to medium sized seeds good for flour making<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT17K-2357-1 (SAMPEA 24)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">High yield 2.9 t\/ha, Dual purpose, medium maturing (76 to 86) days, Tolerant to Striga, Resistant to Bacterial blight<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT16K-2556-2 (SAMPEA 25)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">High yield 2.7 t\/ha, Dual purpose, medium maturing (76 to 86) days, Resistant to Striga, Resistant to Bacterial blight<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT13K-1308-5 (SAMPEA 21)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, medium white seed, Striga resistant, high yield 2.5 t\/ha, pods above the canopy<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT14K-1424-12 (SARI-tuya)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Ghana<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, large, white seeds, high yielding (2.2 t\/ha), pods above the canopy, resistant to Striga<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT10K-817-3 (Tuzievallenga)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Ghana<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, brown seeds, high yield, resistant to Striga<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT08K-150-12 (SAMPEA 19)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, drought tolerant, white seed, striga &amp; Alectra tolerant Yield potential 2.7 t\/ha<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2018<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT07K 297-13 (SAMPEA 18)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, drought tolerant, white seed,Bacterial blight resistant, Yield\u00a0potential 2.5 t\/ha<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2018<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT99K-573-1-1<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Ghana<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"50%\">Early, white seed, striga resistant, Fusarium wilt resistant, Yield potential 2.6 t\/ha<\/td>\n<td width=\"8%\">2017<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT99K-573-2-1<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Ghana<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, white seed, Striga resistant, drought tolerant\n\nYield potential 2.5 t\/ha<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2017<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT07K-211-1-8 (AGRAC-216)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">South Sudan<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">High stable grain yield (2.0t\/ha), insect field resistant<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT90K-277-2 (AGRAC-<\/strong>\n\n<strong>116)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">South Sudan<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">High stable grain yield (2.4t\/ha), white, large seeded<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2016<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT07K-318-33 (SAMPEA 17)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early maturity, brown seed, tolerant to striga and drought, resistant to Alectra. (2,557kg\/ha)<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT07K-292-10 (SAMPEA 16)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Nigeria<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early maturity, white seed, resistance to Alectra, tolerance to striga and drought. (2,595kg\/ha)<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT99K-1122<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Tanzania<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early, vigorous, high biomass<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT82E-18<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Swaziland<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">Early maturing, drought tolerant<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"30%\"><strong>IT99K-390-2<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"11%\">Swaziland<\/td>\n<td width=\"47%\">\u00a0Yield potential of up to 1,370 kg\/ha, matures in about 92 days, Tolerant to drought, leaf spot, and bacterial diseases, produces reddish-brown seeds, has a high carbohydrate content<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"10%\">2015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1771\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1771\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Adoption and Reach <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1771\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12800095 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"12800095\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1771\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-349c4fdf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"349c4fdf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70806ede elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70806ede\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Improved cowpea varieties developed by IITA and partners have been widely adopted in target production zones of West Africa. Field studies and program monitoring show substantial uptake. Plot-level studies report adoption rates of ~38% in some sampled areas, while DNA-verified surveys in Nigeria report adoption around ~24% in sampled states, demonstrating tangible reach and impact across farming communities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1772\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1772\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Trait Improvement <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1772\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-435901a1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"435901a1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1772\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f8d7800 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7f8d7800\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-771895ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"771895ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Released varieties combine early maturity (65\u201375 days), high yield potential (1.5\u20132.5 t\/ha), and resistance to major stresses including <em>Striga gesnerioides<\/em>, aphids, flower thrips, bacterial blight, and drought. The present cowpea breeding fucus at IITA is to increase the grain yield potential of incoming varieties up to 25% above current commercialized varieties. Hundreds of potential lines are in advanced testing stages.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1773\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1773\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Innovation in Breeding <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1773\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3599bffe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3599bffe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1773\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c01b3b2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c01b3b2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5255449 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5255449\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Deployment of marker-assisted and genomic selection tools to accelerate genetic gain and improve trait integration.<\/li><li>Development of AI-driven phenotyping and robotics for more accurate, high-throughput data collection.<\/li><li>Establishment of market-segmented breeding pipelines aligned with defined Target Product Profiles (TPPs) to ensure products meet user demand.<\/li><li>Deploying mutation breeding to generate novel genetic variations to tackle difficult constraints, especially insects that lack natural resistant sources<\/li><li>Capacity Strengthening: Several NARS scientists and technicians have been trained in modern cowpea breeding tools, especially the use of molecular markers for quality assurance and quality control (QA\/QC).<\/li><\/ul><p>These achievements contribute directly to improved food security, incomes, and climate resilience for millions of smallholder farmers.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_11152\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11152\" style=\"width: 344px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11152 \" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Innovation-in-Breeding.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"344\" height=\"155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Innovation-in-Breeding.jpg 576w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Innovation-in-Breeding-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Innovation-in-Breeding-18x8.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 344px) 100vw, 344px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11152\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amiga Robot deployed in cowpea phenotyping at IITA research farm Minjibir, Kano State Nigeria<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b81109 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"8b81109\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"impact-cases\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e02a3a8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e02a3a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0fdb89 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d0fdb89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41e0b9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"41e0b9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IMPACT SPOTLIGHT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c328056 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c328056\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e51e3d3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e51e3d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ea7fe7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1ea7fe7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mrs-Yusuf-1-1024x683.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11178\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mrs-Yusuf-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mrs-Yusuf-1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mrs-Yusuf-1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mrs-Yusuf-1-18x12.png 18w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mrs-Yusuf-1.png 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f46d1b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5f46d1b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edd241a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"edd241a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"#\">SAMPEA 21<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5609b87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5609b87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Transforming Cowpea Production for Striga-Prone Areas<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3dd25b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3dd25b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the dry savannas of northern Nigeria, Striga gesnerioides, a parasitic weed has long devastated cowpea fields, reducing yields by up to 80%. Farmers had struggled to get any good yield and economic gains from cowpea cultivated in infested soils.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8819c8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8819c8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/climate-action\/agroforestry-as-climate-change-adaptation-cocoa-farming-in-ghana\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc04f46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"cc04f46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"key-projects\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5360b2f3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5360b2f3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71bfe1e5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"71bfe1e5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1634d737 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1634d737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Resources<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23c6a091 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"23c6a091\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26947ba0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"26947ba0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46818496 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"46818496\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1111\/pbr.12589\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata): Genetics, genomics and breeding<\/a><\/li><li><em>Harnessing molecular breeding for climate-resilient cowpea improvement in sub-Saharan Africa<\/em>.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar_url?url=https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1111\/1477-9552.12331&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=T&amp;oi=gsb&amp;ct=res&amp;cd=0&amp;d=12510801681998196249&amp;ei=-ugGaoakCsyVieoPr6Wu6Qw&amp;scisig=AFyMTJXUKJQxfpsS9LvV0XV-GmPF\">Adoption and ex\u2010post impacts of improved cowpea varieties on productivity and net returns in Nigeria<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpls.2025.1661440\">Discovery and development of single-nucleotide polymorphism markers for resistance to Striga gesnerioides in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/tpg2.20462\">Genetic Progress in Cowpea [Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Stemming from Breeding Modernization Efforts at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/mel.cgiar.org\/projects\/-15\/202\/improved-cowpea-varieties-contribute-to-poverty-reduction-in-nigeria?\">Improved cowpea varieties contribute to poverty reduction in Nigeria<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfb7529 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"dfb7529\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"resources\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10756970 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"10756970\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3630c4cc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3630c4cc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50ae9de1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"50ae9de1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fef88bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fef88bf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related News<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50082608 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50082608\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/news-item\/?wpv_view_count=54&amp;wpv-science-area=0&amp;wpv-impact-areas=0&amp;wpv-program=natural-resource-management&amp;wpv-crop=0&amp;wpv-news-type=0&amp;wpv-hub=0&amp;wpv-location=0&amp;wpv_post_search=&amp;wpv_filter_submit=Submit\">See all news<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3147cf02 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3147cf02\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3239c567 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3239c567\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7026c440 elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"7026c440\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-32481 news-item type-news-item status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry tag-aasw tag-partnerships tag-scaling-innovation tag-smallholder-farmers tag-transforming-agriculture science-area-system-transformation program-gender-youth-and-social-inclusion-gysi location-nigeria news-type-news hub-western-africa impact-areas-poverty-reduction-livelihoods-and-jobs item-year-204\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/africas-agricultural-future-hinges-on-scaling-proven-innovations-leaders-say-at-aasw9\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-Honorable-Minister-of-Agriculture-and-Food-Security.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-32488\" alt=\"The Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Honorable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; FARA Board Chairperson Ms. Bongiwe Njobe, FARA Board members, and delegates from across Africa at the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW9) and the 10th FARA General Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria.\u00a0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-Honorable-Minister-of-Agriculture-and-Food-Security.png 820w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-Honorable-Minister-of-Agriculture-and-Food-Security-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-Honorable-Minister-of-Agriculture-and-Food-Security-768x385.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/The-Honorable-Minister-of-Agriculture-and-Food-Security-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/africas-agricultural-future-hinges-on-scaling-proven-innovations-leaders-say-at-aasw9\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tAfrica\u2019s agricultural future hinges on scaling proven innovations, leaders say at AASW9\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>Africa is not short of agricultural innovations. From climate-smart technologies and improved crop varieties to digital advisory services and livestock innovations, the continent has developed solutions that can transform its<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/africas-agricultural-future-hinges-on-scaling-proven-innovations-leaders-say-at-aasw9\/\" aria-label=\"En savoir plus sur Africa\u2019s agricultural future hinges on scaling proven innovations, leaders say at AASW9\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-727cb830 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"727cb830\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ea7a6fe elementor-grid-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-left elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"7ea7a6fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-31949 news-item type-news-item status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry tag-agricultural-research tag-banana tag-belgium tag-food-security tag-iita tag-plantain tag-rony-swennen tag-uganda science-area-system-transformation program-farming-systems-agronomy program-plant-health program-seed-systems location-uganda news-type-news hub-eastern-africa crop-banana impact-areas-nutrition-health-and-food-security impact-areas-poverty-reduction-livelihoods-and-jobs item-year-204\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/belgium-honors-iita-scientist-with-noble-title-of-baron\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Professor-Rony-Swennen-with-another-colleague-during-inspection-of-a-banana-research-field.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-31960\" alt=\"Professor-Rony-Swennen-with-another-colleague-during-inspection-of-a-banana-research-field.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Professor-Rony-Swennen-with-another-colleague-during-inspection-of-a-banana-research-field.png 820w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Professor-Rony-Swennen-with-another-colleague-during-inspection-of-a-banana-research-field-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Professor-Rony-Swennen-with-another-colleague-during-inspection-of-a-banana-research-field-768x385.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Professor-Rony-Swennen-with-another-colleague-during-inspection-of-a-banana-research-field-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/belgium-honors-iita-scientist-with-noble-title-of-baron\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tBelgium honors IITA scientist with noble title of Baron\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>IITA&#8211;CGIAR&nbsp;celebrates one of its distinguished scientists, Professor Rony Swennen, following his conferment of the noble<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/belgium-honors-iita-scientist-with-noble-title-of-baron\/\" aria-label=\"En savoir plus sur Belgium honors IITA scientist with noble title of Baron\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18627 news-item type-news-item status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry program-breeding location-nigeria hub-western-africa crop-banana item-year-204\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/clemson-university-delegation-visits-iita-to-advance-banana-research-and-expand-collaboration\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Meeting-with-IITA-Mgt-Team.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18628\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Meeting-with-IITA-Mgt-Team.png 820w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Meeting-with-IITA-Mgt-Team-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Meeting-with-IITA-Mgt-Team-768x385.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Meeting-with-IITA-Mgt-Team-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/clemson-university-delegation-visits-iita-to-advance-banana-research-and-expand-collaboration\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tClemson University delegation visits IITA to advance banana research and expand collaboration\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>A delegation from Clemson University visited IITA headquarters from May 11 to 15 for a\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/clemson-university-delegation-visits-iita-to-advance-banana-research-and-expand-collaboration\/\" aria-label=\"En savoir plus sur Clemson University delegation visits IITA to advance banana research and expand collaboration\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65c7a395 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"65c7a395\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"news\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cowpea Breeding Program Why Cowpea Breeding Program The IITA Cowpea Breeding Program develops improved cowpea varieties that enhance food security, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":3616,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","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":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","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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