16 September 2010: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has engaged in an effort with the Global Crop Diversity Trust to add 3,000 samples from yam species to international gene banks.

Noting that many varieties of yam are at danger of being lost due to pests, diseases or the impacts of climate change, IITA will preserve yam tissue samples from Africa, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Pacific countries. The project is funded with support from the UN Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. [IITA Press Release]