- In March 2025, HarvestPlus, in collaboration with Nigeria’s National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), launched a new biofortified cassava variety rich in vitamin A. This development aims to combat widespread vitamin A deficiency and strengthen food security in rural Nigerian communities by promoting adoption through government extension services and subsidized seed programs.
- In February 2025, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) introduced iron-rich bean varieties in Kenya and Uganda through its regional biofortification outreach. Supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), this initiative is set to improve nutritional outcomes for low-income households, especially women and children, while expanding market opportunities for nutrient-dense staple crops.
- In November 2024, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), in partnership with the BioInnovate Africa program, successfully developed and began field trials for zinc-enriched wheat varieties. This innovation targets micronutrient deficiencies in Ethiopia's wheat-dependent population and reflects ongoing efforts to mainstream biofortification into national crop breeding programs.
- In August 2024, Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture partnered with CGIAR to roll out large-scale farmer training programs focused on agronomic biofortification practices, particularly zinc fertilization in maize. The initiative aims to improve productivity and nutrition simultaneously, making fortified staple crops more accessible through community demonstration plots and input subsidies.
- In May 2024, Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), in collaboration with HarvestPlus and local seed companies, launched commercial distribution of orange-fleshed sweet potato vines in Northern Uganda. With a focus on women-led farming cooperatives, this initiative is expected to enhance dietary diversity and reduce vitamin A deficiency among vulnerable populations in post-conflict zones.
