International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture, with the ultimate goals of reducing hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. IITA's research-for-development (R4D) focuses on addressing the development needs of tropical countries. The institute was established in 1967 and is headquartered in Ibadan, Nigeria, with 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).

IITA was established in 1967 in Ibadan, the idea of the institute came from Ford and Rockefeller foundations desire to establish a centre for the improvement in quality of tropical foods. The institute came to existence with the enactment of decree 32. of 1967. Part of the institute's initial goals were to develop a better productive farming system, the selection and breeding of high yielding crop varieties that are resistant to diseases and pest and strengthening agricultulral research in the humid and tropic regions. The institute was initially situated on a 1000 hectare land. The institute focused on a cereal improvement program, grain and legumes improvement program, farming systems and root and tuber improvement program. The grain and legume improvement system consisted of soybean, cowpea and tuber program composed of yam and cassava. IITA joined the CGIAR consortium in 1971. It later added tree products such as plantain and banana. Recently, IITA has operated four research divisions: Biotechnology and genetic improvement, Natural resource management, Social science and agribusiness, and Plant production and plant health.