Knowledge to improve food security
May 22, 2013 Leave a comment
The latest Plantwise newsletter is here. Click ‘Read more’ to find out about the launch of Plantwise in Ghana, discussions on greater collaboration between CABI and agricultural stakeholders in Myanmar, support for Plantwise from the European Union, and developments in the Knowledge Bank.
March 21, 2013 Leave a comment
CABI country coordinator briefed Plantwise program to the Dean of Agriculture Faculty, Baghlan University, Afghanistan
Muhammad Faheem, CABI Country coordinator for Plantwise Afghanistan travelled to Baghlan province north of Kabul, which has great agriculture potential. Six plant doctors, belonging to Plantwise partners DAIL, AKF and Baghlan University were recently trained in how to become plant doctors. Introductory meetings Between Plantwise and implementing partners were held to set up the future plan of operation for three plant clinics in the area. Read more of this post
March 14, 2013 3 Comments
Farmers gather at a pilot plant clinic in Kabul, Afghanistan © CABI
After six days long training of 33 Plant Doctors of Module 1 & 2 at Kabul, Afghanistan, three pilot clinics were set up in the market of Qarabagh district of Kabul Province. Read more of this post
March 11, 2013 Leave a comment
A plant clinic in Uganda © RIC-NET
This article is adapted from a post on the Rwenzori Information Centres Network blog.
In a bid to create awareness about plant clinics in Uganda, Plantwise organized a one day sensitization workshop at Lesuiex Centre in Kabarole District about improving food security and the lives of smallholder farmers in Uganda.
February 9, 2013 2 Comments
Use a fork shaped stick to twist and break the male flower bud off of the banana plant. © CABI
According to IPP Media, over 8,000 people in 15 villages in Kagera region of Tanzania are in dire need of food relief following an outbreak of banana bacterial disease that has destroyed 90% of the banana crop. Bananas are the staple food for people in the region. Adam Malima, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food and Cooperatives, told the National Assembly earlier this week that the government has allocated 300 tonnes of maize to be distributed to people in the area.
Banana bacterial wilt (or “banana slim”) is easily spread through pollinating insects, tools and planting material. Disease management is notoriously difficult, often involving cultural methods that can be impractical for smallholders. One easy method of prevention involves breaking off the male flower bud using a fork-shaped stick.
The male flower bud is often where the bacteria enters the plant. Pollinating insects collect nectar from the bud and carry nectar from plant to plant, transferring the bacteria at the same time. Removing the male bud soon after formation of the last cluster stops insects from spreading the disease. A forked stick can be used to twist and break the bud. This is better than cutting the bud off with a knife which might spread the bacteria.
January 30, 2013 1 Comment
Top officials in Fort Portal receiving details of Plantwise
The recent awareness raising exercise that took place in Fort Portal in the west of Uganda was a roaring success. The key to extending Plantwise in Uganda was to involve the Chief Administrative officers, District Agricultural officers and the NAADS coordinator of each of the districts. The extension service in Uganda is mostly decentralised with the local government officials having a great say in both the budget and the implementation of extension.
Jane Asaba and Joseph Mulema (CABI Uganda) together with Phil Taylor (CABI UK) set off to the west of the country to promote Plantwise to districts of the Western region. They were accompanied by Kanakulya Luswata and Steven Mabira experienced plant doctors from Buikwe and Mukono The ministry (MAAIF) was represented by Benius Tukahirwa. Read more of this post
January 30, 2013 Leave a comment
Trainers of Plant doctors examining plant material in Uganda
Plantwise is expanding rapidly and it is difficult to keep up with the demand (see Plantwise heads west) in some parts of Africa. Uganda was one of the first countries that took up the concept of Plant clinics and thus it is one of the most advanced in clinic numbers and in the integration of Plantwise into the infrastructure of the country’s extension service.
Up until now training was provided by staff from the UK, originally, Rob Reeder and more recently Phil Taylor, with support from the local CABI staff in Uganda. However the demand for Plantwise is growing at such a pace and the level of experience of local people has grown such that now is the time for local people to begin training plant doctors. Read more of this post
January 4, 2013 1 Comment
Whenever I am working in Democratic Republic of Congo, I always link up with our partner ESCO, a regional cacao producer and exporter, also active in Uganda. Read more of this post
December 10, 2012 Leave a comment
The latest Plantwise newsletter is here. Click ‘Read more’ to find out about plant clinics being set up in Rwanda, the experiences of a plant doctor in DRC, and what plant doctor training really entails.
November 15, 2012 2 Comments
More Plant Doctors for Uganda
Module 1 of the How to be a Plant Doctor has recently taken place at the Makerere University Agricultural research institute. The training over 3 days (12th –14th Nov) was opened by Dr Robert Karyeija, the assistant commissioner for crop protection, and was led by CABI trainers Phil Taylor from CABI UK and Joseph Mulema CABI Africa. The training was in association with Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). The trainees were from 8 districts that already have Plant Clinics (but are intending to increase the number) and an additional 6 districts that are intending to start clinics shortly Iganga,Luwero,Kabarole, Mityana, Wakiso and Kibale. Morris Akiri the Regional Director of CABI Africa closed the training. Read more of this post
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