The IITA GoSeed, a private seed company of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), says it has made significant progress in 2021 with the sales of improved cassava planting materials averaged $267,277 despite COVID-19 restrictions. The Vegetative Seed Specialist of IITA GoSeed, Dr. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, said the sales were achieved despite COVID-19 restrictions that hurt seed supply chains. IITA GoSeed is closely linked with breeding programmes in IITA. In collaboration with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), the company ensures that materials going to Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) are disease-free and of high genetic potential. The success of IITA GoSeed attracted other related projects such as the GIZ-GIAE/IITA Cassava & Maize Value Chain Project (funded by GIZ) and other interventions to the cassava seed system.

Source: The Guardian June 19, 2022 05:07 UTC