Joining forces to boost agricultural research and innovation in Bangladesh
In a significant development for the global agricultural research community, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and CABI have come together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This landmark agreement, inked on 9th October 2023 at BARI’s seminar hall, paves the way for collaborative research. As a part of the workplan, efforts are underway…
Recommendations made for plant clinic progress in Afghanistan
Plant clinics are an important way that we support farmers in Afghanistan. The programme helps smallholders and kitchen gardeners alike. It aims to give them the knowledge they need to protect their crops from pests and diseases. And by doing this, it helps to safeguard their crop yields and livelihoods.
Trichogramma mass rearing facilities piloted in Pakistan
Championing sustainable agriculture by promoting lower-risk plant protection solutions to tackle crop health challenges is a key objective of CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme. In particular, the managing of plant pests and diseases. A cornerstone of this work is setting up local facilities for the mass rearing of lower-risk plant protection solutions.
Early pest warnings and IPM advice are improving food security for maize farmers in Ghana
Pest warnings are changing the way that smallholders in Ghana farm. Smallholder maize farmers in Ghana have long grappled with the challenges posed by crop pests. Over the past few years, this has included the notorious fall armyworm. This voracious invader has, in the past, led to significant crop losses. And the losses have impacted…
Kenyan farmer perceptions of biological control of papaya mealybug
The papaya mealybug problem in Kenya The invasive papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) is a devastating pest to many crops, with a host range of over 200 plants. The species was first detected in Africa in 2010 in Ghana and then in 2016 in Mombasa County in Kenya. In Kenya, where horticulture makes up 60% of…
Biocontrol agent released to safeguard crops from parthenium weed in Pakistan
Invasive plants can be extremely harmful to crops. “Famine weed” or parthenium is one such plant. Native to tropical America, it was accidentally introduced to several countries. In Pakistan, the weed now covers thousands of hectares of agricultural and rangeland. And it poses an economic burden to farmers.
Controlling the papaya mealybug pest – progress made in coastal Kenya
An initiative to combat the destructive papaya mealybug in Kenya is reaping rewards. A natural predator – a parasitic wasp – has been introduced to coastal counties to help control the pest. This tiny wasp is helping to prevent the damage caused by the mealybug. It’s not only helping to save papaya farms. It’s safeguarding…
6 ways that PlantwisePlus tools are transforming digital development
Digital development has come a long way over the past decade. And it’s helping farmers to access agricultural knowledge. Reaching smallholders with farming know-how can be challenging. Most smallholders have limited access to agricultural information. Moreover, public extension services are becoming more difficult to access. Tanzania only has four extension agents per 10,000 farmers. In…
How Jamaica is supporting young people in agriculture
“At first, I don’t think he wanted us in farming. He more wanted a nurse, or a flight attendant, or something like that.” Justine is a young farmer in Jamaica who initially faced resistance from her father. She and her siblings are now preparing to take over the family farm.
Ukulima True – a Kenyan farming campaign to help reduce the risk of pesticides
As demand for food grows globally, farming practices must intensify. Farmers will need to use more low-risk tools to tackle plant pests and diseases. Pesticides are an important tool for pest management. However, they should be seen as part of a kit of many tools, not the only tool. This is because pesticides also pose…