IITA was established in 1967 in Ibadan as a result of the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations' desire to establish a center for the improvement of the quality of tropical foods. The institute came into existence with the enactment of decree 32. of 1967. Part of the institute's initial goals was to develop a better productive farming system, the selection and breeding of high-yielding crop varieties that are resistant to diseases and pests, and strengthening agricultural research in the humid and tropic regions. The institute was initially situated on a 1000-hectare land. The institute focused on a cereal improvement program, grain and legumes improvement program, farming systems, and root and tuber improvement program. The grain and legume improvement system consisted of soybean, cowpea and tuber program composed of yam and cassava.Coker Onita. (1987). IITA and Massive Production of Food. Spear Focus, Spear Magazine, P. 4-7
