IITA Bulletin 2349 by International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

The IITA

CGIAR

No. 2349

10–14 October 2016

Benin President volunteers to endorse IITA’s initiative to create internat’l center dealing with biorisks associated with climate change is Excellency Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin, will be promoting IITA’s initiative in mitigating biorisks associated with climate change to a broad audience during the upcoming COP 22 in Morocco this November. The President volunteered to champion this cause on 11 October, when a delegation from IITA headed by DG Nteranya Sanginga, visited him in Benin. This is the first time ever an IITA DG has been received by a Benin President in the station’s 32 years of existence. DG Sanginga was introduced to the Presidential Cabinet by the Benin Minister of Agriculture, Livestock

and Fishing, Delphin Koudande, and the Director General of the National Agricultural Research Institute (INRAB), Patrice Adegbola. This visit occurred in the framework of the regional workshop “One-health approach for mitigating biorisks in West Africa under a climate change scenario” that took place at the IITA station in Benin under the umbrella of CORAF/WECARD. Discussions between the Head of State and DG Sanginga revolved around the creation of an international center in Benin that would serve as a research and training platform dealing with biorisks associated with climate change.

DG Nteranya Sanginga (right) is welcomed by the President of the Republic of Benin, H.E. Patrice Talon.

Le Président du Bénin sera le champion pour une initiative de I’IITA de la création d’un centre international liées au bio-agresseurs associes aux changements climatique

en DG. Sanginga a été présenté au Cabinet Présidentiel par Delphin Koudande, Ministre Béninois de l’Agriculture, de Une délégation de l’IITA conduite par l’Elevage et de la Pêche (MAEP), et DG Nteranya Sanginga, a rendu visite à Patrice Adegbola, Directeur Général Monsieur Patrice Talon, Président de la de l’Institut National des Recherches République du Bénin ce mardi, 11 octobre. Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB). prochaine 22 novembre.

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on Excellence, Monsieur Patrice Talon, Président de la République du Bénin, a accepté de faire la promotion d’une initiative de l’IITA pour atténuer les risques biotiques enduits par le changement climatique à un large public au cours de la

DG Sanginga leads the IITA delegation that met with H.E. President Patrice Talon in Benin. The delegation included IITA-Benin Country Representative Manuele Tamo (center).

Cette visite a eu lieu dans le cadre de l’atelier régional «Une seule-santé (végétale, animale et humaine) pour atténuer les risques biotiques enduits par le changement climatique en Afrique de l’Ouest», qui a eu lieu à la station de l’IITA au Bénin sous l’égide du CORAF/WECARD. Les discussions entre le Chef de l’Etat et Dr Nteranya Sanginga ont tourné autour de la création à Cotonou d’un centre international qui servira de plateforme à la recherche et à la formation de toutes les questions liées au bio-agresseurs associes aux changements climatique.

www.iita.org

Partners discuss one-health approach for mitigating climate-driven biosrisks in West Africa

n 11–13 October, IITA hosted a think tank style workshop in Cotonou, Benin, where the participants explored and developed the idea of a joint, collaborative platform – an international center for research and capacity development for West Africa – around the management of biorisks associated with climate change, using the ‘one health concept’ (plant, animal, environmental and human health aspects related to agriculture). Prior to the start of the workshop, IITA’s Director General, Nteranya Sanginga, was received by the Presisdent of Benin, His Excellency Patrice Talon, who supported the idea of such a platform (see related article). After the DG’s inaugural words, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture in Benin, Delphin Koudande gave a welcome address to the participants of this workshop, representing a broad range of institutions and programs that included AfricaRice, CABI, CBRST, CIRAD, CIRDES, CORAF/ WECARD, CRPs CCAFS, DNRST, FARA, icipe, INRAB, IWMI, UAC, UAK, University of Ghana, WorldVeg, WASCAL, A4NH, and Michigan State University/Legume Innovation Lab).

IITA-Benin station.

Participants showed keen interest, enthusiasm, and support for this initiative throughout the workshop. They discussed mechanisms for collaboration and institutional commitment, and developed concrete ideas and concept notes, as a basis for funding that can add to and leverage already existing initiatives and programs. The discussions during this workshop led to the establishment of a follow-up team, and a roadmap to implement key preliminary steps in the near future to keep the momentum going for this

initiative. At the closing plenary session, Yemi Akinbamijo (Executive Director of FARA) shared his vision for the center and expressed his full support to this initiative. Finally, the meeting was closed by a tribute to the organizers made by the director of INRAB, on behalf of the Honorable Minister of Agriculture of Benin. Note: IITA takes this opportunity to thank all stakeholders who contributed to the success of this workshop, and particularly the Benin Government, CORAF/WECARD, and FARA for their support.

Participants to the think tank workshop hosted by IITA came from various regional and international organizations, programs, universities, and advanced research institutions.

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PACA honors IITA scientist and partner

Africa represented the honorees at the award ceremony.

To mark this achievement, IITA’s Ranajit Bandyopadhyay and Peter Cotty of the United States Department of Agriculture–Agriculture Research Service at the University of Arizona, were celebrated for formulating the biocontrol product for aflatoxin mitigation, during the 2nd PACA Partnership Platform Meeting held on 11-13 October in Entebbe, Uganda. Victor Manyong, IITA Director for East

PACA recognized the champions for their dedicated work in developing a biological control option (Aflasafe) that can effectively control aflatoxin contamination. PACA says that the “painstaking laboratory and field research to develop the Aflasafe technology has found practical use in many African countries and is actually registered for use in Nigeria, Kenya, and recently in West African states. The seamless work between your labs in Ibadan, Nigeria and Tucson, Arizona has trained a cadre of African scientists who are now leading the research and commercialization of the Aflasafe technology in Africa.”

he efficacy of Aflasafe to combat contamination of food crops by aflatoxins from the field up to storage has received further recognition from the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA), a flagship program on the African Union Commission under the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture.

Award certificate - with (left-right) Alejandro, Victor, Abdou, and Lawrence.

Ranajit (right) and Peter examining a specimen of Aspergilus flavus in the lab.

Aflasafe continues to show consistency in achieving high levels of protection against aflatoxin contamination in maize and groundnut in all the countries where it has been registered. Aflasafe products are in the process of development or becoming registered in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The new Aflasafe Technology Transfer and Commercialization project is scaling up the technology in 11 countries. This recognition is another feather in the cap of the food safety champions and also portrays IITA’s continuous commitment to make the African continent food and nutrition secure.

Let the drums roll: IITA is turning 50!

ext week, Dr Kanayo Nwanze, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will be in Ibadan to set the ball rolling for the celebration of IITA’s 50 years of excellence in undertaking research for the nourishment of Africa.

The opening event will take place on 19 October with the theme “Youth and Agripreneurship as an Engine of Growth for National Development”. Kwesi Atta-Krah, Chair, IITA@50 Committee said the celebration will promote the future of the new IITA. “The 50th anniversary, apart from being used to celebrate IITA’s past achievements and partnerships, will also be strongly focused on the future, and strategies for shaping the food and nutrition security agenda over the next 50 years. The celebrations will be commemorated throughout 2017 with a series of events at the headquarters and in all IITA hubs.

Kanayo Nwanze, IFAD President.

PROGRAM Wednesday, 19 October 2016 IITA Conference Center 1400 Arrival of Dr Kanayo Nwanze, IFAD President 1400 Welcome address and Event objectives 1415 Video showing: Dr Kanayo: 1430 IYA Debate 1530 Group photograph, Exhibits 1630 Introduction of the Speaker 1645 Keynote address 1745 Vote of thanks 1830 Cocktails

Got a story to share? Please email it with photos and captions every Wednesday to Katherine Lopez (k.lopez@cgiar.org), Jeffrey T. Oliver (j.oliver@cgiar.org), Catherine Njuguna (c.njuguna@cgiar.org), or Adaobi Umeokoro (a.umeokoro@cgiar.org).

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Twice smarter for phase 2: Africa RISING partners pore over farming systems research design “

here aren’t any “grab and go recipes” in participatory farming systems research design. It can only benefit from iterative improvements with time and we get better at it.” This was according to the participants at the end of a recent training on farming systems research design for Africa RISING scientists held 3 to 4 October in Lilongwe, Malawi. The training was organized by the project management team to prepare project partners for appropriate design and implementation of the research-indevelopment (R-in-D) activities proposed in the newly announced Africa RISING phase II. “The main problem is that we have been doing component farming systems research, but have not prepared ourselves adequately to design research that brings the different components as “whole” farming systems. This training was therefore purposely planned in advance of the starting implementation of phase II activities so that the researchers can design their activities with a farming systems focus at the back of their minds,” explained Mateete Bekunda, Chief Scientist, Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Project. “After this training I think the scientists are now better equipped to make more integrated and participatory systems research designs,” he added.

Participants who took part in the Africa RISING training on farming systems research design.

systems research design, considering the added expectations that research needs to contribute directly to the achievement of development goals? How best can researchers communicate the inherent tradeoffs posed by the improved technologies they offer to farmers? How do the activities implemented by researchers under the Africa RISING project contribute to the sustainable intensification domains?

how to go about addressing them,” noted Sieglinde Snapp, Michigan State University.

During the training, participants also examined different influence diagram models as case studies to try and tease out the various design questions and relationships that would enable collection of relevant data to sufficiently address tradeoffs and how to measure Twenty scientists implementing different sustainable intensification indicators. Africa RISING interventions took part in the training and discussed in detail the “I thought this training was worth it. different methodologies and approaches Helping us get to the next step of for farming systems research. our research work for better systems Participants also tackled topics like: How approach orientation. It helped us “participatory” should systems research see how we can be clearer about our be? What are the implications for farming objectives, research questions and

Getting it (farming systems approaches/ designs) right and documenting lessons learned therefore will be a significant aspect of Africa RISING’s deliverables in the next five years.

Other interesting discussions at the training took place in groups where participants drew up various causal loop diagrams on how labor influences farmer choices, how to assess farmer preferences, and the use of baselines, controls, and farmer practices.

Expressing satisfaction with the quality of discussion and level of commitment at the training, Ric Coe, partner at Statistics for Sustainable Development, who led the training, noted that Africa RISING needs to continue to facilitate, support, and encourage these kinds of training courses that allow researchers to reflect more deeply about their work.

Announcements

IITA-IFAD meeting, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 18 October.

IITA 50th Anniversary Kick-off Event: Keynote by IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 19 October.

Cassava Mechanization Workshop, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 27-28 October. First Regional Cocoa Symposium, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 8–10 November. More details available here.

IITA Open Day, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 12 November

Marketplace Event, Humidtropics, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 15–17 November. P4D (Partnerships for Delivery) Week, IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria, 21–25 November.

7th International Nitrogen Initiative Conference, Melbourne, Australia, 4–8 December. More details available here.

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YIIFSWA/NRCRI train commercial seed producers on high ratio propagation technology for quality yam seed production

he Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA) project in collaboration with the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI) trained 18 technicians from 11 commercial seed companies on the operationalization of the Aeroponics system (AS) and Temporary Immersion Bioreactor System (TIBS) for high quality pre-basic and basic seed yam production at NRCRI, Umudike, Abia State. The two-day training which began on 6 October was held at the Institute to promote the operationalization of the High Ratio Propagation Technologies (HRPTs), in particular AS, for high quality Dr Norbert Maroya addressing participants during the opening ceremony. basic seed yam production at NRCRI. Participants came from the following seed companies and institutions: Premier Seeds Nigeria Ltd, Da-Allgreen Seeds Ltd, Bumfash Nigeria Ltd, Romarey Ventures Nigeria Limited, Samlak Industries Ltd, Sylva Ejezie Farm Ltd, Mamora Seeds Ltd, Biocrops Biotechnology Nigeria Ltd, Maslaha Seeds Nigeria Zamfara, Nwabudu Agro Seeds, and the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC). On behalf of the management of NRCRI, Julius Okonkwo welcomed the participants and instructors to the Institute. He said that: “Previously, yam research had a low profile relative to

day-to-day management and running of the aeroponics system for basic seed yam production. Secondly, to raise awareness on the existence of the AS at NRCRI and to showcase the feasibility of high ratio propagation of basic seed yam. The expectation is that this will encourage private seed companies to invest in the establishment of their own AS for high quality basic seed yam and also lead to the formation of partnerships between the private seed companies and the Institute for sustainable high quality seed yam production.” Due to the novelty of the formal seed system and the HRPTs for high quality seed yam production, Beatrice Aighewi, YIIFSWA seed system specialist, gave a presentation on the seed yam systems in Nigeria, John Ikeorgu YIIFSWA’s country manager on important information to consider for seed production and marketing, Morufat Balogun YIIFSWA Tissue Culture specialist on TIBS and Maroya on AS for basic seed yam production. This was followed by a visit to the aeroponics facility at the Institute.

other staple crops like cassava and maize but in recent times, especially with the emergence of the YIIFSWA project, research on yam has come to the fore as evidenced by the quality of technical outputs and capacity building transformations so far recorded under the project.” He implored the participants to engage in the training activities and learn as much as they can for the furtherance of the formal yam seed system. On the second day, participants were given practical training on hardening In his opening speech Norbert Maroya of pre-basic yam plantlets from the stated that “the workshop aims to, first, TIBS, cutting of vines in AS for develop the technical capacity of some transplanting into the system and in private seed companies in Nigeria on nursery bags, and the transplanting of pre-rooted vines in the field for seed yam tuber production.

Dr Morufat Balogun addressing participants at the aeroponics facility at NRCRI.

The outscaling of AS in Nigeria and Ghana has boosted YIIFSWA’s efforts towards high quality seed yam production. Launched in September 2015, the AS at NRCRI has generated over 30,000 AS vine cuttings of about nine improved varieties in their multiplication field. This is a success story for YIIFSWA as well as NRCRI, given that it has the national mandate to develop and distribute high quality seed yam of improved varieties through the formal seed system.

Nigerian engineering body initiates partnership with IITA

group of engineers under the Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) are seeking to collaborate with IITA in rolling out simple, cost-effective machines that could help make farming easy for African farmers. The team visited Ibadan on 20 September to draw out a plan for promoting a new de-stoner machine for grains, fabricated to effectively separate grains from stones at harvest. Detailing the effectiveness of the machine, Emmanuel Adesina, Vice president, SouthWest NATE, said the machine is low cost, IITA Bulletin 2349

simple, and beneficial to farmers and young of Kenton Dashiell, DDG Partnerships for people involved in rice or grain production Delivery, noting that the machine could be beneficial to the work of IITA and the IITA across sub-Saharan Africa. Youth Agripreneurs on rice and grains. “The de-stoner is relatively low cost compared to the price of an imported de- To advance the partnership, NATE was stoner machine with the same efficiency. asked to submit a proposal on areas of possible collaboration with IITA. The IITA The NATE de-stoner separates stones, dust, Mechanization team together with the and husk from grains through the principle Greenwealth Agripreneurs will visit NATE’s of gravity. It also has the capacity to process office to test the efficiency of the de-stoner. and clean 5 tons per hour,” Adesina noted. The visitors also presented DG Nteranya Katherine Lopez, Head of Communication, Sanginga with a plaque of appreciation, welcomed the team from NATE on behalf which Lopez received on behalf of the DG. page 5