International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

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 agricultural 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 CGIAR in 1971. It later added tree products such as plantain and banana.