Striga (witchweed) is a parasitic weed that seriously constrains the productivity of staples such as maize, sorghum, millet and upland rice in Sub-Saharan Africa. The use of IR-Maize technology to control Striga leads to yields 38–82% higher than those currently obtained from traditional maize varieties.

Banana bacterial wilt disease threatens production of banana in the Great Lakes region, leading to a 50% decline in household incomes from banana sales and a corresponding increase in banana prices. Disease control methods currently in use have not been successful and hence the need for exploring feasible alternatives. AATF has brokered access to a gene from Academia Sinica in Taiwan that is currently being used to transform bananas for resistance against BBW.

Drought is the most important constraint of African agriculture severely af­fecting maize, the most important African staple food crop. The WEMA partnership was formed in response to a growing call by African farmers, leaders, and scientists to address the effects of drought in a way that is cost ef­fective to African smallholder farmers.