A step forward for pesticide risk reduction in Sri Lanka with launch of new national committee

A farmer in Sri Lanka in his field
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…
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Building capacity for a resilient cassava seed system in Zambia

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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).
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10 common wheat pests and diseases 

wheat blast
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…
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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%…
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How farmers in Peru are improving practices through sustainable biological control

Plant clinic promoting biological control in Peru
In an effort to further promote sustainable agricultural practices in Peru, PlantwisePlus is supporting technicians and farmers to strengthen their capacity to identify and apply biological control agents. This has reduced dependence on chemical pesticides and increased adoption of more sustainable pest management practices.
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Private-sector plant clinics advancing sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica 

A woman farmer receiving advice at a plant clinic in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is recognized worldwide for its green credentials; a reputation built on a commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. Agriculture, as one of the nation’s most important economic sectors, plays a role in supporting this focus. To ensure that farming aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), government agencies, international organizations, and private companies are…
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CABI partners to train agrochemical registration officers on crop grouping guidelines in Kenya

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CABI partnered with the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) of Kenya and the Minor Crops Technical Working Group – Kenya (MCTWG-Kenya) to build the capacity of registration officers from various agrochemical companies in efficacy, residue data, and crop grouping guidelines.
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Watch the video: Trichogramma rearing facilities in Pakistan  

A farmer in Pakistan shows a trichogramma card
In the face of increasing pesticide reliance, biological control offers a less harmful, more sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides. Biological control utilizes natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, to suppress pest populations. In Pakistan, PlantwisePlus is collaborating with the Pakistani government to rear Trichogramma chilonis, providing farmers with these tiny wasps that control…
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Driving e-extension in Bangladesh through partnerships

Gourd farmer in Bangladesh
“Digital innovation isn’t just about tools, it’s about transforming access to knowledge where it’s needed most.”  In Bangladesh, millions of smallholder farmers struggle with unpredictable weather and frequent pest and disease outbreaks. Traditional agricultural extension services often can’t reach them fast enough. Digital agricultural extension, or e-extension, offers a solution. Using mobile phones, apps, and…
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Scaling sustainable food production using integrated pest management 

Monitoring for ACB egg masses in maize fields in Myanmar
With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the challenge of feeding more people while protecting our planet has never been more urgent. Traditional farming methods often rely heavily on chemical pesticides, contributing to ecosystem damage and human health concerns.   Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach that combines biological, cultural, and…
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