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.

The pod borer (Maruca vitrata) inflicts severe damage to cowpea leading to yield losses of between 70–80% in severe infestations. Spraying with insecticide has not been widely adopted by farmers due to the prohibitive costs. AATF is addressing this problem by facilitating the development of Maruca-resistant transgenic cowpea varieties, thereby minimising insecticide use and its effects on health and the environment.

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.