Landmark decision recognizes non-GMO status of gene-edited banana events 12 May 2026 – Nairobi, Kenya: A quiet but significant shift in Kenya’s agricultural landscape is opening new opportunities and doors for innovation and renewed hope for banana farmers affected…
Taro (Colocasia esculenta) – locally known as cocoyam in Nigeria – supports food and nutrition security for many rural households in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. Nigeria is the world’s largest taro producer, cultivating approximately 1.3 million hectares…
IITA–CGIAR has launched a groundbreaking initiative to enhance bamboo agroforestry and economic resilience among smallholder farmers in Uganda. “Enhancing Bamboo Agroforestry & Economic Resilience for Smallholder Farmers in Uganda”, under the WeWork-green and decent jobs for youth project,…
The Bambara groundnut (BGN) (Vigna subterranea), once labeled an orphan crop, has now assumed the status of an important underutilized nutritious, drought-resistant legume crop, and is now positioned as a promising future crop that is serving a varied choice…
Soybeans have steadily emerged as one of the most strategic crops across Africa. Its value spans multiple sectors, including nutrition, livestock feed, and agro-industrial development, making it a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and national economic growth. From soybean oil…
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…
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,…
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…