International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ( or IITA ) is one of the world's leading research partners in finding solutions to hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. IITA's award-winning research-for-development (R4D) addresses the development needs of tropical countries. The institute works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture.The institute is headquartered in Ibadan in Nigeria, Africa. Established in 1967, IITA has several research stations across Africa. IITA is a nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Trustees, supported by several countries and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research-CGIAR.
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[edit] Research
IITA's award-winning research-for-development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of tropical countries. The R4D model helps in proffering answers to complex problems that plague agriculture and people’s lives.
[edit] Medium-term Programs Under R4D
- Banana & Plantain
- IITA works on solutions to maintain banana and plantain as food, which contribute to food security and provide income for millions in East and West Africa.
- Cereals and Legumes
- IITA ensures that cereals and legumes continue to provide an alternative source of energy and protein to Africa’s teeming population.
- Roots and Tubers
- IITA develops innovative solutions to secure the productivity of roots and tubers and improve their processing, marketability, and profitability.
- Agriculture and Health
- IITA improves the food quality, nutrition, and health of vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
- Agrobiodiversity
- IITA collects diverse plant genetic material or germplasm on major African food crops that can be mined for beneficial traits and characteristics to increase crop yields and sustain biodiversity.
- Horticulture and Tree Crops
- IITA develops and promote the productivity of trees, fruit, and vegetables to enhance livelihoods and food and nutritional security in rural and peri-urban communities.
- Opportunities and Threats
- IITA seeks to assess risks to food security and livelihoods in the light of global economic, social, and environmental changes and their impact on societies.
- Multicenter Program on Integrated Pest Management
- This program uses technological innovation and adaptation to address issues in sustainable crop pest and disease management and the production of food that is environmentally and economically safe.
- Humidity tropics
- The IITA-led CGIAR Research Program (CRP) 1.2, entitled "Humidtropics: Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics," will increase development options and strengthen the capacity of the poor and vulnerable in the humid tropics to improve their livelihoods and living environment based on promising agricultural systems’ innovations and technologies. Humidtropics fulfils a key integrative function for all 15 CRPs' research activities of relevance to the humid tropics and provides a unique balance between productivity enhancement, natural resources integrity and institutional issues.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
