Pest Risk Information Service for sub-Saharan Africa

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The FAO estimates that up to 40% of global crop yields are reduced each year due to the damage caused by pests (FAO, 2015). Crop losses have a huge impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. They result in less food for them and their families and a lower income for spending on education and…
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Cabbage disease mystery in Ghana

Cabbage is an important crop in Ghana where it grows all year round, right across the country. It is mainly grown for commercial production in Southern Ghana, in Akwapim and Kwahu areas and in the moist high elevations around Tarkwa. Growing cabbage in Ghana is challenging since it can be attacked by a variety of…
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Why the green peach aphid is such a successful pest

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Recent research highlights why the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is one of the most successful crop pests. These findings will help further the development of effective management and control measures which will ultimately reduce worldwide crop losses.
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BioClay pesticide spray successful in recent trials

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Australian researchers have developed a new nanotechnology pesticide spray called BioClay which has shown success in recent trials. Developed by the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), BioClay contains double stranded RNA which can be sprayed onto a crop. When the RNA contacts the…
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Our favourite recipes – Caribbean

For the final post of our mini-series, “Our favourite recipes”, this Tomato Choka recipe has been kindly provided by Bob Ramnanan, CABI Country Coordinator for the Caribbean. Tomato Choka is a quick and easy meal vegetarian meal and can be served with sada roti (flatbread), rice, pasta or potato.
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Our favourite recipes – Myanmar

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As part of our new mini-series, “Our favourite recipes”, these two eggplant (aubergine) recipes have been kindly provided by Yee Yee Myint, from the Plant Protection Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation in Myanmar. She partners with us as a National Data Manager.
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Chilo worm outbreak threatening crops in Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe is currently facing a devastating outbreak of Chilo worm, a species of moth, which is threatening the 2016/17 summer cropping season. The exact species is yet to be confirmed and is also being referred to as the fall army worm.
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Our favourite recipes – Sri Lanka

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As part of our new mini-series, “Our favourite recipes”, here is the next delicious recipe for you to try. Coconut Sambal (Pol Sambola) is a staple dish in Sri Lanka. It is essentially a relish or salad which adds vibrancy to meals of rice and curry. Coconut is one of the main agricultural crops in…
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Update: New Pest & Disease Records (17 Nov 16)

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We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this fortnight include a report on new species of aphids of the Macrosiphini tribe from Kazakhstan, the first report of Caryedes brasiliensis preying on seeds of Dioclea violacea in Brazil and the first…
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Update: New Pest & Disease Records (02 Nov 16)

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We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this fortnight include new hosts (lettuce and wild rocket) of Fusarium equiseti in Italy, studies on occurrence of entomopathogenic nematodes in India and the first detection of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) on…
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