By Mercy Lung’aho, IITA On World Pulses Day 2026, the theme chosen by the Food and Agriculture Organization, “Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence,” could not be more timely. It captures a quiet transformation already unfolding across…
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Science Blog
By Mercy Lung’aho, Food Security, Nutrition and Health Program Lead, IITA Every year, we reaffirm our commitment to women and girls in science. We host panels, share statistics, and celebrate role models. These efforts matter, but in Africa today,…
Science Blog Western Africa
Cowpea: A powerhouse pulse for nutrition, resilience, and sustainable food systems
As the world celebrates World Pulses Day, it’s time to shine a spotlight on one of the most resilient, nutritious, and climate-smart crops on the planet—cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Often called “poor man’s meat,” cowpea has long been a…
The United Nations designated 12 May the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise global awareness of how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development. The 2025 international…
IITA programs focus on effective solutions from nature and use advanced technologies, data, and AI tools to manage various endemic, emerging, and invasive pests that threaten food production in sub-Saharan Africa. Crop pests and diseases (P&Ds) significantly threaten agricultural…
Science Blog
Biological control without borders: IITA’s leadership in sustainable plant health solutions
Inaugural releases of biocontrol agents against the mango mealybug, attended by the State Minister for Agriculture Hon. Fred Bwiino Kyakulaga, FAO and senior government officials, and IITA’s Georg Goergen (Image Credit: IITA) Indian Council of Agricultural Research and FAO…
The native biocontrol agents are being used to control notorious food-borne toxins in 15 countries in Africa. Across Africa and much of the tropical world, farmers growing maize, groundnut, sorghum, and other staples face a silent threat to their…
Science Blog
Invisible threats: Addressing food safety risks in Africa’s informal markets to protect future generations
Have you ever paused to ponder the safety of the food on your plate? It is a question often overshadowed by concerns of availability and nutritional value, especially in many African communities grappling with food insecurity. But beyond the…