For decades, Bambara groundnut has been quietly feeding families across Nigeria. In rural communities stretching from the savannahs of the north to the forest zones of the south, farmers (many of…
Science Blog
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Science BlogTurning evidence into action: Co-designing guidelines for implementing gender-transformative interventions in the cassava seed entrepreneurship ecosystem in Tanzania
Building a functional formal cassava seed system is critical to Tanzania’s agriculture. It is the foundation for providing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient cassava varieties to smallholder farmers. Yet the very people…
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Western AfricaUnlocking opportunity crops to combat food insecurity: VACS professional fellows equipped with modern breeding tools to accelerate genetic gain
IITA, in collaboration with CIMMYT and other CGIAR centers, brought together breeders from across Africa for a five-day intensive training on breeding pipeline optimization and market intelligence, to accelerate genetic gain in the continent’s neglected yet highly nutritious “opportunity crops.” From Bambara groundnut cultivated in the savannahs of…
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Central Africa Eastern Africa Southern Africa Western AfricaInspired by Nature’s Signals: How Soil Health is Shaping West Africa’s Climate Future
World Environment Day 2026 calls global attention to a simple but urgent reality: the planet is sending signals—and climate action is about how we respond. With the theme, “Inspired by Nature.…
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For many years, selecting the right seed varieties for farmers in Rwanda was a slow and highly technical process. Before a seed recommendation could reach farmers, it often took up to…
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Southern AfricaAccelerating hybrid maize adoption in West Africa: Learning from Zambia and Zimbabwe
West Africa’s transition from open-pollinated maize varieties to high-performing hybrids could significantly transform productivity, strengthen food security, and improve resilience for millions of smallholder farmers. To support this shift, National Agricultural…
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Science Blog
Genomics breakthrough offers new hope for faster improvement of Africa’s staple RTB crops
Roots, Tubers, and Bananas (RTB) crops, which include cassava, yam, banana, plantain, sweet potato, and potato, remain at the heart of food and nutritional security for millions of people across the…
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In late May, the African Development Bank Group will convene its Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, under the theme, “Mobilizing Africa’s Development Financing at Scale in a Fragmented World.…