Pest preparedness in action: Preventing the coconut hispine beetle invasion in Bangladesh
The coconut hispine beetle (Brontispa longissima) is a destructive pest of palms, including coconut palms. It is a major pest in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and parts of South Asia. For several years, Bangladesh has recognized the potential threat that the beetle poses. It has worked to prevent its outbreak using a pest preparedness strategy.…
Biocontrol that goes the distance: Acerophagus papayae in Kenya
Acerophagus papayae can slow the spread of the invasive papaya mealybug and benefit the wider community. Recent monitoring efforts have shown that the natural enemy is reaching long distances away from the original release sites. Invasive species pose a persistent threat to agriculture, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where favourable conditions allow rapid spread…
How men taking on unpaid care work can lead to women’s economic empowerment in Burundi
Women carry a heavier burden of unpaid care work because of gender disparities. Unpaid care and domestic work include activities such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the dependents in the household. This burden poses economic challenges for countries that depend on agriculture, such as Burundi. Burundi is a landlocked country in the African Great…
Youth in agriculture: Meet Anthony Ssenyonga, an agri-entrepreneur in Uganda
Anthony Ssenyonga, 29, is an agro-input dealer, plant doctor, and entrepreneur whose innovative use of digital tools is supporting smallholder farmers in his community and beyond. He is a leader among the youth in agriculture in Uganda, inspiring other agri-entrepreneurs. Before his rise as a digital agricultural champion, Anthony was a small-scale vegetable farmer, helping…
How agro-dealer training in Uganda is reducing pesticide risks and making farming safer
Agro-dealers can play a critical role in sharing knowledge about pesticide safety and biopesticides. Misusing chemical pesticides harms farmers, consumers, animals and the environment. However, safe handling of pesticides and the use of nature-based alternatives help to reduce these risks. Nevertheless, many farmers lack access to relevant information. It has been estimated that less than…
Safer pesticide use: Voluntary standard for agro-dealers launched in China
On December 26, 2024, Sichuan Province launched a significant initiative: the “Establishment Specification for IPM Promotion Pesticide Stores.” Written in collaboration with local partners and PlantwisePlus, including CABI’s Dr Min Wan, this new voluntary standard aims to reform agro-shop operations in China. Starting January 1, 2025, it promotes safer pesticide use aligned with Integrated Pest…
Empowering agro-dealers: A toolkit for safer and sustainable farming in Uganda
PlantwisePlus has reached a milestone in relations with the government of Uganda. On 14 November, the programme handed over a training toolkit for a module on lower-risk plant protection products to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). A team collaboratively developed the resource to help train Uganda’s agro-dealers. It forms part of…
How strengthening South Sudan’s plant health system can reduce crop losses
In countries like South Sudan, people feel the effects of climate change with greater intensity. For example, increased crop pest invasions. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) damages key crops like maize and sorghum. And the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) has inflicted extensive damage on crops, leading to a 91% reduction in papaya yields. These factors and…
Understanding mango mealybug – a significant crop pest
The mango mealybug (Rastrococus invadens) is an invasive pest outside its native home in Southeast Asia. It threatens mango crops, particularly affecting smallholder farmers. This scale insect pest lowers mango yields and quality, and because it’s a quarantine pest, it can also impact trade.
Celebrating success: Zambian smallholders combat cassava brown streak disease
Cassava is a critical crop to Zambia’s economy and food security. According to a 2019 paper, cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most important root staple crops in Zambia. An estimated 30% of Zambians – over four million people – consume cassava as part of their daily diet. Indeed, this crop is so important…