IITA, Clemson receive US$1.2M Gates Foundation Grant to improve banana farming

AFRICA – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Clemson University have received a US$1.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to improve banana farming in Africa.

The partnership aims to tackle persistent challenges in production and deliver reliable, disease-free planting materials to smallholder farmers.

The two institutions will develop a hydroponic system that produces clean, healthy banana starter plants at scale and at low cost. This system addresses a key obstacle for many farmers: access to uniform, disease-free planting materials.

“By producing starter plants that establish quickly in farmers’ fields, we can improve yields and reduce losses before planting,” said a spokesperson from IITA.

Once tested and perfected for African farmers, the technology could also be adapted for crops such as strawberries and sweet potatoes in South Carolina, USA. For Clemson University, this represents a chance to apply its research expertise to global food security while drawing lessons that benefit local horticultural crops.

Bananas and plantains are staple foods for millions across Africa and a crucial source of income for smallholder farmers. However, production often suffers from diseases, pests, and inconsistent planting materials.

IITA has a long history of addressing these challenges through breeding programs and seed system innovations, working with national agricultural research organizations across the continent.

Science-driven solutions for African farmers

The new project combines IITA’s expertise in tropical crops with Clemson’s skills in engineering and horticultural research. Hydroponic propagation, which grows plants without soil, can improve plant growth and health.

This method is expected to create starter plants that are stronger and more uniform, helping farmers achieve higher productivity.

“This collaboration strengthens our commitment to using science to improve food systems and support smallholder livelihoods,” the IITA representative added.

The partnership comes alongside other initiatives funded by the Gates Foundation to strengthen smallholder farming. Heritable Agriculture, for example, recently received US$4.98 million from the foundation to develop drought and heat-tolerant crops through AI-driven genomics and remote sensing tools.

“We expect to accelerate discovery and delivery of climate-resilient seeds,” said Tim Beissinger, Chief Technology Officer at Heritable Agriculture.

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