PlantwisePlus develops agro-input dealer training scheme with Bangladesh government
Pest outbreaks in Bangladesh are causing a rapid increase in the sale of pesticides. Farmers are turning to chemical products such as fungicides, herbicides and insecticides to manage pests, which they often buy from their local agro-input dealer. However, these chemicals can harm the environment and human health. In Bangladesh, pesticide risks are significant due…
How PlantwisePlus and partners are supporting Assam’s agricultural future
From July to December last year, Assam Agricultural University (AAU) in Jorhat hosted a series of initiatives under the CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme to strengthen plant health services and enhance crop productivity. Co-organized by CABI, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), and AAU, the events demonstrated how Integrated Pest Management (IPM) trainings, plant clinics, plant health…
What do agro-dealers in Nepal prefer when it comes to sustainability standards?
Agro-dealers in Nepal can play a pivotal role in reducing the risks associated with pesticide use, such as harm to human health and the environment. They are a key source of pest management advice for smallholder farmers. However, many lack access to accurate information about risk reduction and safer plant protection products. How can we implement better…
Crop Sprayer app helps young spray service providers build sustainable businesses
In Makueni County, Kenya, young spray service providers are transforming how smallholder farmers manage pests. The Crop Sprayer app, developed by CABI PlantwisePlus, is helping agripreneurs reduce pesticide risks through accurate dosage calculations, protecting farmer budgets, human health and the environment.
CABI Academy plant health management courses are helping to improve extension support
CABI Academy is a global learning hub for people who want to boost their expertise in agriculture under the CABI-led global programme, PlantwisePlus. Since 2020, it has been home to a range of interactive, self-paced online courses, including Crop Pest Diagnosis (CPD) and Crop Pest Management (CPM). Designed to strengthen learners’ skills in crop pest diagnosis and management, these two courses build valuable knowledge covering a wide range of pests, from plant…
Most read blogs of 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, we’ve tallied the numbers to reveal the top 10 most read blogs on the PlantwisePlus Blog this year, plus a few firm favourites! Our most read blogs feature voices from those benefiting from our work, as well as crop pest guides, digital tools, and invasive species management, highlighting the…
Employment pathways and business models that empower African youth engagement in agriculture
Unemployment remains a significant issue faced by young people worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular, the youth unemployment rate is 10.17% meaning that one in ten 15-24 year-olds cannot find work. Young women and vulnerable youth, in particular, face societal barriers that limit their job opportunities. Underemployment (i.e. not having a job that matches…
PlantwisePlus generating long-term impact and economic returns – here’s how
PlantwisePlus is changing lives. Today, Anthony Ssenyonga, 29, is an agro-input dealer, plant doctor, and entrepreneur in Uganda, but his story began very differently. Before his rise to digital agricultural champion, Anthony was a small-scale vegetable farmer, helping local households and schools to grow produce more cost-effectively. PlantwisePlus has played a transformative role in his…
Rooting out parthenium: A milestone moment for sustainable weed management in Pakistan
Parthenium hysterophorus, commonly known as parthenium or “famine weed”, is one of Pakistan’s most damaging invasive species. It spreads aggressively, suppresses crop productivity, threatens grazing lands, impacts biodiversity, and poses serious health risks to humans and livestock. Over the past decade, CABI has led a comprehensive, science-based campaign to address this threat. Now, as the…
Plant clinics in Malawi: Reducing pest threats to increase crop yields and farmer incomes
Plant clinics in Malawi are empowering smallholder farmers to manage crop pests more effectively. In 2025, scientists published a paper in Plant Environment Interactions reviewing the impact of plant clinics on farmers in Malawi. The clinics have created a frontline support system for smallholders in remote, rural locations. In addition, they have helped to strengthen…