A conference has called for new agricultural universities in East and Central Africa with a focus on innovation.

The benefits to poor farmers of new crop varieties are hotly debated, but a new study shows they can help reduce poverty.

Kenya has earmarked US$1 million to a flagship programme for boosting development-related research by women scientists.

Vitamin A-rich sweet potato has been welcomed by most of the 10,000 villagers in Mozambique who took part in a trial.

Botswana needs R&D to develop horticultural crop breeds suitable for local conditions to reduce imports from South Africa, say farmers.

Nigeria's cassava-led green revolution is now led by a prominent cassava scientist, but its approach may fail farmers, says an expert.

Certified tree seeds are rare in Sub-Saharan Africa, and agroforestry farmers could boost yields with the right supplies, report researchers.

Recycling old banana plants to make compost could help boost crop yields while reducing fertiliser use, says a study.

Researchers are turning rice-farming waste into paper and insecticide while cutting down on carbon emissions.

Ghana's biotechnology research centre will look into how cassava, sweet potato and yam could reduce food insecurity in West Africa.

An international biotechnology centre should begin operations in Nigeria early next year.

Kenya's secretary of state for agriculture says scientists should leave their 'comfort zone' and engage opponents of GM foods in public debate.

A collaboration between researchers and breweries to boost sorghum production in East Africa could help farmers cope with drought.

Researchers at institutes in East Africa have new funds for working on drought-resistant crops and resilience against climate change.

New technologies for cutting cowpea losses in Africa after harvesting are delivering huge financial benefits.

The centre, which will begin work this month, will promote the dissemination of new research and technology.

Faced with a food crisis, Kenya's government has allowed the import of GM products, even though it is not yet legally allowed to grow them.

Getting seeds from friends restores diversity better than getting them from relief programmes following natural disasters, says a study.

New wheat varieties may finally protect against the stem and stripe rust epidemics ravaging crops in the Middle East and parts of Africa.

Nigeria's biosafety bill now awaits presidential assent, but environmentalists continue to campaign against it.