Renewed collaboration efforts between the International Potato Center (CIP) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) are aimed at addressing the challenges faced by over 300 million people in developing countries, particularly in Africa, who rely on root, tuber, and banana crops for sustenance and income. Led by Dr. Simon Heck, Director General of CIP, a recent visit to IITA headquarters emphasized the importance of aligning research and innovation scaling in Root, Tuber, and Banana (RTB) systems. Dr. Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the potential to leverage complementary expertise and resources within CGIAR to enhance the program’s impact. Discussions focused on mobilizing support, avoiding duplication of efforts, and creating synergies to benefit smallholder farmers, policymakers, and consumers. Both institutes agreed to explore joint areas of interest, such as cryopreservation, genebanks, and biodiversity, with a commitment from Dr. Ehui to ensure that combined efforts generate tangible impacts, particularly in scaling technologies, policy engagement, and resource mobilization at the regional level. The collaboration sets the stage for realigning research and regional engagement efforts to achieve greater impact in root and tuber systems across Africa.
