Collaborative effort targets yam viruses as csir-cri and iita prossiva join forces in nigeria

In a pioneering move aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) has partnered with the IITA–CGIAR PROSSIVA project to combat the rampant viruses affecting yam crops in the region.

The initiative saw IITA-PROSSIVA receiving untested seed yam materials from CSIR-CRI, an essential step in implementing more effective disease diminution techniques. The primary goal is to optimize processes to ensure a more abundant supply of clean yam materials while enhancing their handling procedures. This concerted effort holds promise for significantly impacting yam production, a vital aspect of the country’s agricultural sector.

The collaboration between CSIR-CRI and IITA-PROSSIVA is set to revolutionize the fight against yam viruses. By leveraging their expertise, the partnership aims to efficiently separate and identify the four primary viruses known to affect yams: Yam mosaic virus (YMV), Yam mild mosaic virus (YMMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and Yam chlorotic necrotic mosaic virus (YCNMV).

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