{"id":9206,"date":"2026-04-13T16:56:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T16:56:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/?page_id=9206"},"modified":"2026-06-26T10:48:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T10:48:30","slug":"banana-and-plantain-breeding-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/programs\/breeding\/banana-and-plantain-breeding-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Programme d'am\u00e9lioration des bananes et des plantains"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"9206\" class=\"elementor elementor-9206\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11c51a17 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"11c51a17\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b431a69 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7b431a69\" 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-53789a74 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"53789a74\" 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-efac7ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"efac7ef\" 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\">Banana and Plantain 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-402d8d13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"402d8d13\" 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-56b70c5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"56b70c5\" 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-8aa676c menu-wrapper-parent e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8aa676c\" 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-46c9f5e left-menu-arrow elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"46c9f5e\" 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-d340c1e 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=\"d340c1e\" 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-d340c1e\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10256\"><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-10257\"><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-10261\"><a href=\"#key-projects\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Projects &#038; Initiatives<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10262\"><a href=\"#impact\" 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-10263\"><a href=\"#publications\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10265\"><a href=\"#news\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10267\"><a href=\"#our-team\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\">Team<\/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-d340c1e\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10256\"><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-10257\"><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-10261\"><a href=\"#key-projects\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Projects &#038; Initiatives<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10262\"><a href=\"#impact\" 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-10263\"><a href=\"#publications\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10265\"><a href=\"#news\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">News<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-10267\"><a href=\"#our-team\" class=\"elementor-item elementor-item-anchor menu-link\" tabindex=\"-1\">Team<\/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-6185af2 right-menu-arrow elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"6185af2\" 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-9f00d9d elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-widget elementor-widget-progress-tracker\" data-id=\"9f00d9d\" 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-3cee0451 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3cee0451\" 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-201c9ae4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"201c9ae4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b55c6d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4b55c6d1\" 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-462ac8f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"462ac8f7\" 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 Banana and Plantain 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-72d2704f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"72d2704f\" 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 banana and plantain breeding program of IITA is focused on developing high-yielding, pest and disease-resistant hybrids adapted to African farming conditions. The main target is to use conventional and modern breeding tools to improve resistance against major productivity constraints such as nematodes<span lang=\"EN-US\">, <\/span>weevils<span lang=\"EN-US\">, <span data-ogsb=\"rgb(76, 88, 0)\">Sigatoka, Fusarium, bacterial wilt and banana bunchy top disease<\/span>,<\/span> and increase yield which is very low in the landraces. The program has two product pipelines; the Matooke (highland cooking banana) and Plantain pipelines in Uganda and Nigeria, respectively that are supported by the parental improvement pipeline in Arusha, Tanzania. Through these efforts, IITA in collaboration with national partners has released improved matooke and plantain varieties, thus contributing to food security, farmer income, and resilience of production systems. These crops are staple foods and contribute to the livelihood of millions of people with the production value estimated to reach 52 billion USD by 2050 in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/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-4b245625 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4b245625\" 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-8257dde e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8257dde\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1839bda4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1839bda4\" 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=\"200\" height=\"201\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rony-Swennen.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9318\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rony-Swennen.jpg 200w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rony-Swennen-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/>\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-3d00df42 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d00df42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-596d9275 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"596d9275\" 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\tRony Swennen\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-4bf04452 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4bf04452\" 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>Crop Lead<\/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-3fa1c3e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3fa1c3e7\" 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\tR.Swennen@cgiar.org\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>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69314fb5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"69314fb5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2998a12f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2998a12f\" 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=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Banana-1024x683.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-8780\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Banana-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Banana-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Banana-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Banana.png 1248w\" 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 class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1206cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f1206cd\" 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\">Geographic Reach <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3807eb69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3807eb69\" 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 has breeding stations in Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria serving East, Central and West Africa.<\/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\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a78fe90 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6a78fe90\" 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-49bced3a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"49bced3a\" 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-626ca86a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"626ca86a\" 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-4f4ccf1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f4ccf1\" 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 high-yielding, pest and disease resistant, market preferred varieties of banana and plantain.<\/li><li>Develop elite parents with end-user quality, climate resilience, and pest and disease resistance traits to accelerate the development of improved varieties.<\/li><li>Integrate conventional and modern breeding technologies to accelerate the rate of genetic gain in both parental and product development pipelines.<\/li><li>Enhance multi-stakeholder engagement to improve selection, dissemination and adoption of superior 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-36828e07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"36828e07\" 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-208678f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"208678f\" 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-7474e9aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7474e9aa\" 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-772b04f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"772b04f\" 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\tEnhancing the performance of agricultural value chains through market systems development, private sector partnerships, and <br\/>scalable agribusiness solutions that improve livelihoods and food security.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f63d0d7 e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1f63d0d7\" 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-2d92b132 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2d92b132\" 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-3f734bd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3f734bd1\" 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-780a4ca1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"780a4ca1\" 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\">Germplasm development, trait discovery and deployment<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54d6e40c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54d6e40c\" 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 each breeding station, we maintain a set of germplasm relevant for both parental improvement and product\u00a0<\/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-7cc415a elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"7cc415a\" 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-1300\" 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-1300\" >\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-1300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ca513e0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5ca513e0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7505b853 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7505b853\" 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-287862e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"287862e9\" 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>development. This consists of wild diploids, improved diploids and tetraploids and landraces sourced from the international transit centre (ITC), national partners and other international Musa breeding programs. Routine cross-pollinations are carried out to develop new varieties and improve parental lines. In parallel, we genotype the germplasm and breeding populations for QC\/QA in the breeding pipeline and to generate SNP markers that are used in genome-wide association studies and QTL mapping. Markers tightly linked to traits are converted into KASP assays for routine marker assisted selection. We have also developed a medium density marker panel and pangenome to facilitate diversity studies, gene discovery for gene editing and genomic selection.<\/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-33c5f165 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"33c5f165\" 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-f30bc9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f30bc9f\" 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-3cd04a33 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3cd04a33\" 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\">Phenotyping<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c3a0e38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5c3a0e38\" 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>We conduct both field (on station, multi-location and on-farm) and controlled conditions (screen house and glass house) phenotyping using well\u00a0<\/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-1c0813ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"1c0813ff\" 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-4700\" 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-4700\" >\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-4700\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3aa8f271 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3aa8f271\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-4700\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f152e3b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2f152e3b\" 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-3fa95eb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3fa95eb9\" 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-657f013a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"657f013a\" 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-79652213 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"79652213\" 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-18c4b925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"18c4b925\" 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\">Data management and analytics<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-400dbefb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"400dbefb\" 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>We operate an end-to-end digitalized breeding program where data is digitally captured using FieldBook and BTracT\u00a0<\/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-29788c3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"29788c3a\" 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-6950\" 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-6950\" >\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-6950\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1432e24e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1432e24e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6950\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ee44e16 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2ee44e16\" 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-1938a8bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1938a8bd\" 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>and stored in MusaBase, enabling easy access, retrieval and traceability using a barcoding system. We have transferred this to 3 NARS and plan to transfer to all NARS partners of the banana breeding network for use in multi-location and on-farm verification trials. \u00a0All our trials are established using appropriate statistical designs through consultation with biometrics and B4T quantitative genetics team and the data generated is analyzed in approved analytic pipelines in Bioflow to enable genetic gain estimation and other key results needed for breeding decision.\u00a0<\/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-7c4c241b e-flex e-con-boxed elementor-invisible e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c4c241b\" 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-37cbd962 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"37cbd962\" 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-606dbc68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"606dbc68\" 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-2615a46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2615a46\" 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\">Product advancement and variety release<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-755ecd20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"755ecd20\" 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 collaboration with NARES partners and other stakeholders, the program conducts annual product advancement meeting\u00a0<\/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-4d96a998 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"4d96a998\" 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-1300\" 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-1300\" >\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-1300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-249728c3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"249728c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e8ab683 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2e8ab683\" 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-79535fa9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79535fa9\" 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>(PAM) to select elite parents and potential breakthrough products for the next stage of evaluation. On-farm verification trials and national performance trials are conducted in accordance with harmonized protocols and national guidelines towards registration and release.<\/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-504f6fbc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"504f6fbc\" 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-635b20df elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"635b20df\" 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-1c0b1af3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c0b1af3\" 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\">Seed systems and delivery<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-402f91ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"402f91ea\" 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 has well-established tissue culture laboratories with technical staff in all breeding stations to multiply breeder\u2019s seed to\u00a0<\/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-25904694 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"25904694\" 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-6300\" 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-6300\" >\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-6300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a3b60b9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a3b60b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6300\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-368c15a5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"368c15a5\" 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-57b96bf4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57b96bf4\" 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>facilitate dissemination and delivery of improved varieties. This is done in collaboration with IITA genetic resource centre and germplasm health unit for global distribution. The program for seed systems innovation for vegetatively propagated crops in Africa (PROSSIVA) helps to coordinate private tissue culture laboratories and community-based seed entrepreneurs (CSE) that have been trained in macro-propagation technologies to ensure delivery of clean planting materials to the farmers. Social Economists are engaged to assess the adoption rate and socio-economic impact resulting from the new varieties.<\/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-ceb2a4b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ceb2a4b\" 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\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5da91e92 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5da91e92\" 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-34d04969 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"34d04969\" 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-474bd551 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"474bd551\" 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-19ba2386 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"19ba2386\" 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-6213518b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6213518b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71cf9557 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"71cf9557\" 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-1877f7f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1877f7f0\" 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\">Key Activities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f4f3430 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f4f3430\" 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 integrates market-driven breeding, advanced genomics, and digital innovation to develop improved banana and plantain varieties that meet stakeholder needs. Through a combination of cutting-edge research, rigorous field evaluation, and AI-powered tools, it accelerates the delivery of high-performing, resilient, and market-relevant hybrids while strengthening capacity across the breeding ecosystem.<\/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-47ec99f elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"47ec99f\" 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-7540\" 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-7540\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Market-Driven Breeding Design &amp; Product Profiling <\/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-7540\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f364b3f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f364b3f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-7540\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b38e67b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b38e67b\" 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-a886ebf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a886ebf\" 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 in collaboration with ABI-Transform and currently Breeding for Tomorrow AoW ENABLE has conducted several country-specific product design team meeting with stakeholders across the banana and plantain value chain and defined market segments (MS), target population of environments (TPE) and target product profile (TPP) to align breeding objectives with market demands. The TPP define value propositions such as high yield and low risk and loss to biotic stresses.<\/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-7541\" 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-7541\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Advanced Genomics &amp; Trait Discovery Platforms <\/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-7541\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64711ce e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"64711ce\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-7541\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01ef611 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"01ef611\" 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-19ca50f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19ca50f\" 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 also conducts trait discovery and deployment under pre-breeding by conducting GWAS analysis, QTL mapping, diversity analysis, karyotyping, development of QA\/QC markers, and low-density markers such as KASP for marker assisted selection (MAS), leveraging available genomics tools and genotyping platforms.<\/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-7542\" 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-7542\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> End-to-End Hybrid Development &amp; Evaluation Pipeline <\/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-7542\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54eaf07 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"54eaf07\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-7542\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2464efd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2464efd\" 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-665710f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"665710f\" 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 main activities of the program include cross pollinations to generate new hybrids that are evaluated for yield, agronomic performance, pest and disease resistance and quality, selected and advanced through different stages of the pipeline including early evaluation trial (EET), preliminary yield trial (PYT), multi-locational evaluation trials (MET), on-farm verification trials (OFVT) and national performance trials (NPT). All these operations are digitalized using tools like FieldBook and BTracT, and the data made available to the Musa community through MusaBase.<\/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-7543\" 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-7543\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Foundational Research &amp; Breeding Innovation Systems <\/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-7543\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1e3f53 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e1e3f53\" 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-7543\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3384cf9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3384cf9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ee1c17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1ee1c17\" 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 also involved in some fundamental research such as floral biology to enhance seed production and hybrid recovery, through projects such as RTB pollen storage to enhance breeding efficiency, 2n gamete induction to facilitate diploid by diploid breeding to generate sterile triploid varieties, RTBFoodomics to understand metabolites responsible for food quality. In all these research activities, capacity building is embedded giving opportunities for master&#8217;s and PhD students.<\/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\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-7544\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-7544\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Digital Phenotyping &amp; AI-Driven Breeding Efficiency <\/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-7544\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4def2af e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4def2af\" 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-7544\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d59e0ca e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d59e0ca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aebf034 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aebf034\" 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 also exploring the use of digital phenotyping and use of AI models to improve data quality and phenotyping efficiency to enhance the precision of breeding decisions. Digital phenotyping has been developed to screen for weevil resistance using Image J and Machine Learning models. This is being extended to Fusarium (Foc R1) and nematode necrosis screening. We are also exploring estimation of bunch weight using images and ML-models.<\/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\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-6fcf3502 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6fcf3502\" 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-7316e13d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7316e13d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf4767d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cf4767d\" 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-4a89ada elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a89ada\" 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\tSeven NARO-IITA developed improved matooke varieties released by TARI in Tanzania, two improved matooke varieties released in Uganda and one improved plantain released in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire between 2010 and 2026. One improved plantain released in Nigeria in 2026.\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-525f2ac7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"525f2ac7\" 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\">Innovations<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a757814 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a757814\" 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 generating high-yielding varieties of matooke and plantain with a yield gain between 64 and 243%. We have developed KASP markers for fruit filling which allow rouging of 33% of the genotypes at nursery level before field planting. Other KASP markers for traits such as weevil resistance and pro-vitamin A content are in advanced stages of validation. We developed macro-propagation technology as a low-cost scalable technology for rapid multiplication of banana and plantain varieties.\u00a0 Digital phenotyping for weevil resistance is fully operational in East Africa.<\/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 class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-374dfa3e elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"374dfa3e\" 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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ce27dd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"3ce27dd8\" 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<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c2098a6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4c2098a6\" 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-72678cd9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"72678cd9\" 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-1a560113 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1a560113\" 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 CASES<\/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-4e4373b7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4e4373b7\" 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-b3ac32e elementor-pagination-type-progressbar elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-carousel\" data-id=\"b3ac32e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;carousel_items&quot;:[{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #1&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;f902e3b&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #2&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;22fb9d1&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #3&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;34830dd&quot;}],&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;progressbar&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;offset_sides&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;image_spacing_custom&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-carousel swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"1\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 sur 3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ee82ce1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7ee82ce1\" 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-41b685f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"41b685f\" 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=\"680\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/banana-in-Kagera-region.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9284\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/banana-in-Kagera-region.jpg 680w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/banana-in-Kagera-region-300x176.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/>\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-570555db elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"570555db\" 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\">Tanzania (FHIA Hybrids): Regional Yield &amp; Income Growth (+15% Yield, $7M Impact)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14d3646b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14d3646b\" 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\tThe recent adoption and impact study on banana in Kagera region in Tanzania highlights the economic transformative power banana breeding can have on communities and entire value chain.\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-5fd0118 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"5fd0118\" 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-1000\" 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-1000\" >\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-1000\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f85ebfa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f85ebfa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1000\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9236662 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9236662\" 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-96dc1a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"96dc1a0\" 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 Kagera, the 48% adoption rate of FHIA hybrids has boosted production of bananas by 15%, resulting in US$ 7 million per annum for the region.\u00a0 It is important to note that it took nearly 15 years to achieve this.<\/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\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"2\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 sur 3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3682684e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3682684e\" 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-9143cf7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9143cf7\" 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=\"680\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Agbagba.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9286\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Agbagba.jpg 680w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Agbagba-300x176.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/>\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-7ac9c157 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7ac9c157\" 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\">C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire (Improved Plantain): High Yield &amp; Disease Resistance (+64% Advantage)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0166b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0166b4\" 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 released improved plantain variety yields up to 30 t\/ha in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire. It is resistant to Black Sigatoka and tolerant to nematodes with a yield advantage of 64% over local landrace Agbagba.<\/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\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"3\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 sur 3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a018d0f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5a018d0f\" 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-4646a1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4646a1d\" 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=\"680\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NARITA-17-NAROBAN-6.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9285\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NARITA-17-NAROBAN-6.jpg 680w, https:\/\/iita.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NARITA-17-NAROBAN-6-300x176.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/>\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-5c2b8338 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c2b8338\" 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\">Uganda (NARITA 17): Transformational Yield Breakthrough (+243% Increase)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4c1a34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d4c1a34\" 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 recently released NARITA 17\/NAROBAN 6 in Uganda has a yield advantage of 243% when compared to local landrace check Mbwazirume. It is resistant to Black Sigatoka, Foc R1, TR4, and\u00a0<\/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-d936e31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"d936e31\" 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-2270\" 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-2270\" >\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-2270\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94301fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"94301fb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2270\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27d112d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27d112d\" 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-71ee8b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"71ee8b2\" 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>nematodes but also tolerant to weevils and has good table quality attributes surpassing earlier releases.<\/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\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Pr\u00e9c\u00e9dent\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 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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=\"publications\"><\/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-5409a594 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5409a594\" 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-13823aa8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13823aa8\" 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-72f31dc0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"72f31dc0\" 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-1f7f2131 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1f7f2131\" 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-5224cb47 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5224cb47\" 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-a8fce5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8fce5c\" 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\/10.1155\/2019\/3873198\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Promising High-Yielding Tetraploid Plantain-Bred Hybrids in West Africa<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/excellenceinbreeding.org\/toolbox\/tools\/kasp-low-density-genotyping-platform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KASP low density genotyping Platform<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/com\/technologies\/improved-varieties-of-plantain-for-tropical-lowlands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improved Varieties of Plantain for Tropical Lowlands<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/com\/technologies\/kabana-6hnarita7-hybrid-high-yielding-and-disease-tolerant-banana\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KABANA 6H\/NARITA7 hybrid: High yielding and disease tolerant banana<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/com\/technologies\/improved-varieties-of-banana-for-the-african-highlands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Improved Varieties of Banana for the African Highlands<\/a><\/li><li><a title=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/com\/technologies\/improved-varieties-of-plantain-for-tropical-lowlands\" href=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/com\/technologies\/improved-varieties-of-plantain-for-tropical-lowlands\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-outlook-id=\"cfe5390b-25d5-4856-a2b6-0fd04b317a75\">Improved Varieties of Plantain for Tropical Lowlands<\/a><\/li><li><a title=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/gov\/technologies\/kabana-6hnarita7-hybrid-high-yielding-and-disease-tolerant-banana\" href=\"https:\/\/e-catalogs.taat-africa.org\/gov\/technologies\/kabana-6hnarita7-hybrid-high-yielding-and-disease-tolerant-banana\" data-ogsc=\"\" data-outlook-id=\"e92035bd-a059-45dc-8719-b4f9bb203d21\">KABANA 6H\/NARITA7 hybrid: High yielding and disease tolerant banana<\/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-64517aec elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"64517aec\" 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<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-108c9ac6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"108c9ac6\" 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-367c8e8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"367c8e8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15e4d153 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"15e4d153\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12de7564 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"12de7564\" 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-d46a2b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d46a2b5\" 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=0&amp;wpv-crop=banana&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-6ac2628c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ac2628c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d54ea91 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d54ea91\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fa3a919 elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"3fa3a919\" 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-2dd49561 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2dd49561\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-735f9a60 elementor-grid-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-left elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"735f9a60\" 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-692c3afe elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"692c3afe\" 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=\"our-team\"><\/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-40a5d587 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"40a5d587\" 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-171764f6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"171764f6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ce3f949 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5ce3f949\" 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\">Partnerships and Collaboration<\/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-7f9e6842 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7f9e6842\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66214158 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"66214158\" 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><strong>CGIAR centers:<\/strong> Alliance of Bioversity\u2013CIAT; CIP; CIMMYT<\/li><li><strong>National research &amp; extension partners (NARES):<\/strong> NARO (Uganda); TARI (Tanzania); KALRO (Kenya); ISABU (Burundi); RAB (Rwanda); INERA (DR Congo); NIHORT (Nigeria); CRI (Ghana); CNRA (C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire)<\/li><li><strong>Private sector partners:<\/strong> Maua Mazuri (Tanzania); SENAI (Uganda); Royal Plants &amp; Nurseries (Uganda); Agrobiotech (Burundi)<\/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-3847db3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3847db3b\" 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><strong>Advanced research institutions (ARI):<\/strong> KUL (Belgium); MBG (Belgium); IEB (Czech Republic); Salk Institute (USA); NCSU (USA); BTI\u2013Cornell (USA); CIRAD (France); RHUL (UK); BRIN (Indonesia); ICAR-NRCB (India); CATIE (Costa Rica); CATAS (China); SLU (Sweden)<\/li><li><strong>Universities:<\/strong> Makerere University (Uganda); NM-AIST (Tanzania); Stellenbosch University (South Africa); University of Ibadan (Nigeria); University of Kisangani (DR Congo); University of Dschang (Cameroon)<\/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>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Banana and Plantain Breeding Program Why Banana and Plantain Breeding Program The banana and plantain breeding program of IITA is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3616,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","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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