Humidtropics, a CGIAR Research Program led by IITA

Innovation Platforms Case Study Competition Award and Book Launch Ceremony

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On Monday, November 30, a special Humidtropics book launch and award ceremony took place in Kampala, Uganda, in the presence of Humidtropics Director, Kwesi Atta-Krah, the winners of the competition, the editors and authors of the book, and Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa the Government Chief Whip, Republic of Uganda. Resulting from the Innovation Platforms Case Study Competition, the new book entitled Innovation Platforms for Agricultural Development: Evaluating the Mature Innovation Platforms Landscape features eight cases studies – the top three, and those of five other contestants – that … [Read more...]

Not So Amaizing: The Need for Agricultural Land Use Diversification in Northern Thailand

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Life as a farmer in the mountainous north of Thailand is not easy. The land can be steep, soil quality is poor and water for irrigation is largely unavailable. Markets are also far away and inputs are hard to get by. Yet, modern life requires cash for nearly everything. Against the backdrop, government extension introduced feed maize as a cash crop in the early 1980s. The crop is ideal for poor farmers as it requires little care, traders come to supply inputs and buy the output, and the government guarantees a minimum selling price. Maize has become an important source of income for many … [Read more...]