Exploring farmer perspectives on Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]: production constraints, preferred varietal traits and implications for varietal development in northern Namibia

Pasipanodya J.T., Horn L.N., Togarepi C., Sibiya J., Musango R. and Achigan-Dako E.G. 2025. Exploring farmer perspectives on Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc]: production constraints, preferred varietal traits and implications for varietal development in northern Namibia. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 9:1520677. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1520677 In Namibia, Bambara groundnut is one of the few legume crops […]
Genetic diversity and population structure studies of West African sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] collection using DArTseq

Mahaman Mourtala I.Z., Gouda A.C., Baina D.J., Maxwell N.I., Adje C.O., Baragé M., Happiness O.O. 2025. Genetic diversity and population structure studies of West African sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] collection using DArTseq. PloS one.;20(1):e0312384. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0312384. Sweetpotato is a vegetatively propagated crop cultivated worldwide, predominantly in developing countries, valued for its adaptability, short growth cycle, […]
Genome-wide association study of fat content and fatty acid composition of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn subsp. paradoxa)

Attikora, A.J.P., Kouassi, K.A., Yao, S.D.M., Yao S. D. M., Dago D. N., Silué S., De Clerck C., Diarrassouba N., Alabi T., Achigan-Dako E. G., Fauconnier M-L., Danthine S. & Lassois. 2025. Genome-wide association study of fat content and fatty acid composition of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn subsp. paradoxa). BMC Genomics 26, 164. […]
Citizen science informs demand-driven breeding of opportunity crops

Voss, R. C., de Sousa, K., N’Danikou, S., Shango, A., Aglinglo, L. A., Laporte, M.-A., Legba, E. C., Houdegbe, A. C., Diarra, D. Y., Dolo, A., Sidibe, A., Ouedraogo, C. O., Coulibaly, H., Achigan-Dako, E. G., Kileo, A., Malulu, D., Matumbo, Z., Dinssa, F., van Heerwaarden, J., van Etten J, Riar A., van Zonneveld, M. […]
Safeguarding Plant Genetic Resources in Benin: The Role of CalaviGen, the Genebank of the University of Abomey-Calavi

In a world where agriculture faces increasing challenges—from climate change to biodiversity loss—safeguarding plant genetic resources (PGR) is not just a scientific necessity, but a social and environmental responsibility. Plant genetic resources are the backbone of our production, food, and nutrition systems. The conservation of those resources is of paramount importance for humanity. In Benin, […]
10 years of commitment to innovation in plant breeding and seed science.

In 2015, the Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS) at the University of Abomey-Calavi was founded with a clear ambition: to use scientific research to drive food security, sustainable nutrition, and agroecological production. Ten years down the line, GBioS celebrates a decade of passion, innovation, and contribution to the improvement of livelihoods in local […]
A Systematic Review on the Factors Influencing Adoption and Consumption of Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ahoudou I, Sogbohossou DEO, Fassinou Hotegni VN, Fanou-Fogny N, Moumouni-Moussa I and Achigan-Dako EG (2025) A systematic review on the factors influencing adoption and consumption of orange-fleshed sweetpotato in sub-Saharan Africa. Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 9:1545827. doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2025.1545827 Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is a promising crop in combating vitamin A deficiencies (VAD) in sub-Saharan Africa […]
e-Cashew Project officially launched : a milestone in Agricultural Digital transformation

On Monday, April 14, 2025, Benin reached a significant milestone in the modernization of its agricultural sector with the official launch of the e-Cashew Project at the University of Abomey-Calavi. This pioneering initiative, born from a strategic partnership between Beninese and Belgian institutions, is set to digitally revolutionize the cashew value chain. Fully aligned with […]
Thesis Defense, Idrissou AHOUDOU’s Research on Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato for Nutritional Security
Idrissou AHOUDOU has successfully defended his PhD research at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences of the University of Abomey-Calavi. His study, titled “A Participatory Selection Approach and Modeling Methods for the Dissemination of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato to Alleviate Vitamin A Deficiency in Human Nutrition in Benin,” was presented before a jury of distinguished professors and […]
Thesis Defense, Herbaud Phanuel ZOHOUNGBOGBO’s Groundbreaking Research on Genetic Improvement of Chili Pepper

Herbaud Phanuel ZOHOUNGBOGBO has successfully defended his PhD research before a distinguished panel of professors. His study, titled “Genetic Improvement of Chili Pepper (Capsicum spp.) for Resistance to Aphid-Transmitted Viruses in West Africa,” was conducted at the Genetics, Biotechnology & Seed Science Unit of the University of Abomey-Calavi. Since October 2021, Herbaud has dedicated himself […]
