Advancing gender-inclusive agricultural advisory services in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, agriculture forms the backbone of rural communities. It employs nearly two-thirds of the workforce, many of whom are women. However, the sector faces significant threats from plant health challenges, including devastating crop pests such as invasive fall armyworm. Moreover, the threats disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, especially women. At 58%, women make up an…
Meet Shahadul Islam: the rice farmer using digital tools to improve yield and quality
Meet Shahadul Islam, a farmer from Jhenaidah District, Bangladesh. Shahadul is now a local role model for sustainable rice production, having adopted the PlantwisePlus digital tools and transformed his farming practices. For nearly a decade, Shahadul cultivated rice on his one-acre land. He regularly faced pest and disease challenges such as rice blast and brown…
Burundi strengthens food security and adds PlantwisePlus pest management training to 40 agricultural schools
Burundi has been busy stepping up its efforts to train more PlantwisePlus plant doctors to meet the country’s need to strengthen its food security and help more farmers grow more and lose less to crop pests and diseases.
Meet Ignitious Chilembo, a Zambian researcher championing responsible pest management
In Zambia, smallholder farmers face various pest and disease challenges, including fall armyworm in maize and cassava brown streak disease. Pesticides are often used to manage these threats; however, improper use can harm both human health and the environment, as well as reduce farm productivity and cause pesticide resistance. Reducing pesticide risk requires supporting advisors…
Using chilli pepper extract to manage insect pests
In the search for economical and environmentally friendly approaches to pest control, particularly with chemical resistance becoming an increasing issue, biological alternatives can be important. One such solution lies in the humble chilli pepper. The compound responsible for its heat, capsaicin, is an effective alternative against a range of crop-damaging insect pests.
Study briefs: PlantwisePlus supports Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka achieve climate and agricultural goals
CABI has published three new study briefs exploring how the CABI-led global PlantwisePlus programme supports Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka achieve some of their climate and development priorities within agriculture.
A step forward for pesticide risk reduction in Sri Lanka with launch of new national committee
In a significant step toward safer and more sustainable agriculture, stakeholders from Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture (DoA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and CABI came together for an important workshop on pesticide risk reduction and Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). The event, held in August 2025, brought together regulators, researchers, universities, industry representatives, and other…
Building capacity for a resilient cassava seed system in Zambia
Cassava remains one of Zambia’s most important food security crops, but it is increasingly under threat from devastating diseases such as Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD).
10 common wheat pests and diseases
Wheat is a cereal grain, a staple food in many areas of the globe. It is primarily used to produce flour, which can be used to create other foodstuffs, including bread and pasta. Additionally, wheat and its by products are used to feed livestock. China is the world’s largest wheat producer, producing hundreds of millions…
Women farmers in Ghana empowered by radio campaign
Women farmers in Ghana face significant barriers to accessing agricultural extension services. Many women in low- and middle-income countries face similar challenges. The services are often designed for men and give them an advantage when it comes to farming productivity. Conversely, with a lack of access to extension services, women farmers on average produce 20-30%…