# International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

> research institute based in Ibadan, Nigeria

**Wikidata**: [Q1142738](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1142738)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Institute_of_Tropical_Agriculture)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/international-institute-of-tropical-agriculture

## Summary

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture was founded in 1967.Its headquarters are in Ibadan.

## Summary  
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a research institute based in Ibadan, Nigeria, dedicated to improving agricultural practices in tropical regions. Established in 1967, it focuses on developing sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty through crop improvement, natural resource management, and policy support. As part of CGIAR, IITA collaborates globally to enhance food security in Africa and beyond.

## Key Facts  
- Founded in 1967 in Ibadan, Nigeria.  
- Full name: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; also known as IITA or Institut international d'agriculture tropicale.  
- Affiliated with CGIAR, a global research partnership for sustainable agriculture.  
- Headquarters located at latitude 7.3790 and longitude 3.9467.  
- Primary field of work: tropical agriculture.  
- Official website: [http://www.iita.org](http://www.iita.org) (in English).  
- Registered identifiers include ROR ID 00va88c89, GRID ID grid.425210.0, and ISNI 0000000109430718.  
- Coordinates with global institutions and maintains multilingual presence across Wikipedia languages such as French, Arabic, and Japanese.

## FAQs  

### Q: What does the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture do?  
A: The IITA conducts research aimed at improving agricultural productivity and sustainability in tropical regions. Its focus areas include crop breeding, pest control, soil health, and rural development to combat hunger and poverty in Africa and other tropical zones.

### Q: Where is the IITA located?  
A: The main headquarters of IITA is located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. It operates within West Africa but has regional offices and partnerships worldwide.

### Q: Is IITA part of any larger organization?  
A: Yes, IITA is affiliated with CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research), which supports global efforts to reduce poverty and improve food security through science-driven innovation.

## Why It Matters  
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity and environmental degradation in tropical regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. By focusing on crops like cassava, yam, maize, soybean, and banana—staples for millions—it develops improved varieties resistant to pests, diseases, and climate stressors. Through capacity-building programs, policy engagement, and technology transfer, IITA empowers smallholder farmers and contributes significantly to rural livelihoods. Its scientific contributions have helped increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote sustainable farming systems that protect biodiversity while enhancing economic growth in low-income communities.

## Notable For  
- Being one of the pioneering centers under CGIAR focused exclusively on tropical African agriculture since 1967.  
- Developing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties of staple crops including cassava and yam used widely across Africa.  
- Leading major initiatives against aflatoxin contamination in food supplies through biological control methods.  
- Hosting extensive genebanks preserving genetic diversity of tropical crops vital for future food security.  
- Maintaining strong collaborations with national governments, universities, NGOs, and international agencies to scale innovations.

## Body  

### History and Founding  
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture was established in 1967 as part of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Initially headquartered in Ibadan, Nigeria, IITA was created to address challenges specific to tropical agriculture in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Over time, its mission became increasingly focused on sub-Saharan Africa due to the region’s reliance on root and tuber crops and limited access to modern agricultural technologies.

### Organizational Structure and Affiliation  
IITA functions as both a **research institute** and an **intergovernmental organization**, operating under the CGIAR framework. This affiliation allows it to coordinate closely with over 200 partners globally, including public and private sector entities, civil society groups, and academic institutions. Funding comes primarily from donor countries, foundations, and multilateral organizations committed to global food security.

### Field of Work  
Its core area of expertise lies in **tropical agriculture**, encompassing:  
- Crop improvement and seed systems  
- Integrated pest and disease management  
- Soil fertility enhancement  
- Climate-smart agriculture  
- Value chain development  
- Gender-responsive technologies  
- Policy analysis and advocacy  

Major crops studied include cassava, yam, maize, cowpea, banana/plantain, and soybean—all crucial staples for subsistence and commercial farming in the tropics.

### Headquarters and Facilities  
Located in **Ibadan, Nigeria**, IITA's campus spans several hectares and includes laboratories, experimental fields, greenhouses, and administrative buildings. Geographical coordinates are approximately **latitude 7.3790** and **longitude 3.9467**. Additional regional hubs exist in Benin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia to facilitate localized research and outreach.

### Digital Presence and Resources  
Official website: [http://www.iita.org](http://www.iita.org)  
Domain name: iita.org  
Social media profiles include LinkedIn ([linkedin.com/company/iita](https://www.linkedin.com/company/iita)) and Quora topic page ("International-Institute-of-Tropical-Agriculture").  
Multilingual content available via Wikimedia projects in more than ten languages including English, French, Arabic, Hausa, Igbo, Portuguese, and Japanese.

### Identifier Systems  
Various authoritative databases recognize IITA using standardized IDs:  
- **ROR ID**: 00va88c89  
- **GRID ID**: grid.425210.0  
- **ISNI**: 0000000109430718  
- **VIAF ID**: 136889033  
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n50060224  
- **Freebase ID**: /m/01zssl  
These identifiers help ensure consistent referencing across scholarly publications, institutional databases, and digital libraries.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.iita.org/)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://figshare.com/articles/GRID_release_2015_12_14/2010108)
6. GRID Release 2016-12-06
7. Quora
8. [International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA): Overview | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/iita/)
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
10. [Internet Domains Wikibase](https://domains.wikibase.cloud/entity/Q167035)