In their own words: Uganda’s agro-input dealers on the impact of pesticide safety training
Agriculture is central to Uganda’s economy, employing more than 70% of the population. While pesticides play a critical role in minimizing crop losses, their misuse poses significant risk to human health, the environment, and food safety. Agro-input shops are common in towns, and trading centres cross Uganda. They sell seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. Smallholders frequently use agro-input dealers as their primary source of pest…
Pest preparedness starts on the farm: Discover how Ghana’s farmers are helping protect crops
While institutional pest preparedness is essential, farmers are often the first to notice the spread of crop pests. In Ghana, invasive pests continue to make their way across borders through trade, travel, and tourism. Farmers and farm labourers form the frontline of pest discovery. They are among the earliest to identify unusual symptoms in affected…
From monitoring to impact: how evidence is driving youth agripreneurship
PlantwisePlus works with partners to help farmers protect their crops and livelihoods, strengthening plant health systems. By integrating capacity development, digital advisory tools, and evidence-based decision-making, the programme is creating more resilient agricultural systems. These systems are better equipped to respond to evolving pest and disease threats.
Reducing pesticide risks through public–private collaboration and long-term capacity building
Across Latin America, misuse and overuse of pesticides continue to pose risks to human health, the environment, and farm productivity. Addressing the improper use of pesticides requires not only technical knowledge but also strong partnerships. Public-private collaboration can support activities and embed safer practices over the long term.
From access to empowerment: the real impact of digital skills training on women farmers
Across low- and middle-income countries, the rapid expansion of digital technologies is reshaping agriculture. Yet for many women smallholder farmers, limited access to mobile phones, internet connectivity, and digital skills creates a persistent gender digital divide. In this 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer, it’s important to not only acknowledge the impacts of this divide on women’s productivity and incomes, decision-making power, market access, and resilience, but also to…
How can AI tools bridge the gender gap for women farmers?
AI tools have the potential to close the gender gap for women farmers. Women contribute around 40% of all agricultural labour but achieve around 23% less productivity compared to men. This is due to many constraints, from a lack of access to credit, inputs, and land, to gender norms that prevent women from accessing agricultural knowledge, skills, and tools.
Banana bunchy top disease: PlantwisePlus helps to safeguard Ghana’s banana production
Banana bunchy top disease can destroy entire harvests if left unchecked and currently poses a serious threat to Ghana’s banana and plantain production. Although the disease is not yet present in Ghana, PlantwisePlus is working on its early detection and prevention of arrival following the discovery of the disease in neighbouring countries. Last year, the…
In photos: how plant clinics support advisory services in Bangladesh
Over the past decade, CABI has worked in Bangladesh to strengthen national plant health systems, first through Plantwise and since 2021, PlantwisePlus. The programme works with partners to ensure farmers have access to reliable, science-driven crop health advisory services. Plant clinics and digital support platforms are helping with early detection, diagnosis, and management of crop…
5 ways digital agriculture tools are transforming pest management
Finding accurate, locally contextualised information at the right time is essential for tackling crop pests. Digital agriculture tools are helping farmers and those who advise them by putting expert knowledge directly in their hands.
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…