In pictures: Tackling Croton scale in Grenada
In Grenada’s lush tropical landscapes, a tiny pest, the Croton scale, is having a massive impact. But thanks to the power of nature and knowledge sharing, change is underway. Through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, CABI PlantwisePlus, and the Sandals Foundation, the sustainable management of croton is being evaluated as part of…
Meet the plant doctor bringing CABI Academy to India’s agricultural advisors
In India’s Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh, plant health training with CABI Academy is playing a vital role in strengthening agricultural practices and supporting extension professionals. Meet M. Bhaskaraiah, the Assistant Director of Agriculture and District Training Coordinator for the Department of Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh. He works with agricultural advisors, strengthening capacity through hands-on knowledge…
Training held to enhance Trichogramma mass rearing to sustainably manage lepidopteran pests in Bangladesh
CABI and BARI joined forces to help increase the capacity for Trichogramma wasps reared at a new facility officially opened in Rangpur to sustainably managed lepidopteran pests in vegetables. A training course was held at RARS-BARI in Rangpur as part of a project implemented under the CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme to utilize biological control agents in…
Women farmers in Uganda: Plant clinic challenges and progress
When women play a greater role in agriculture, food security improves, and entire communities benefit. Yet, despite comprising around 43% of the rural agricultural workforce, women often face significant barriers to accessing the agricultural services they need to thrive. This includes advisory services, such as plant clinics, which support farmers in managing pests and diseases…
CABI Academy supports Vietnamese universities in training the next generation of plant health professionals
Plant health lies at the centre of food security and sustainable agriculture. In Vietnam, as in many countries, preparing the next generation of plant specialists with the latest knowledge and practical skills is essential to achieving this goal. Under the PlantwisePlus programme, CABI is introducing innovative digital learning from the CABI Academy as a supplementary…
“Use of any pesticide comes with some risk, but this risk can be reduced”
Pesticides are a widely used pest management option. However, if applied incorrectly, they can pose serious risks to human health, ecosystems, and food safety. From farm workers and consumers to pollinators and waterways, the impacts of unsafe pesticide use can be far-reaching.
5 common chilli pests and diseases
Chilli pests and diseases can considerably impact crop production. Not only can pest and disease outbreaks lead to severe yield losses, but they also reduce quality and lower market value. In many countries, including India, Bangladesh, Malawi, and Thailand, chilli is a vital cash and export crop contributing significantly to livelihoods and local economies. Effective…
“The health of plants, animals, people and the environment is interlinked in so many ways”
Without healthy crops, food systems crumble, livelihoods suffer, and communities become more vulnerable to food insecurity. PlantwisePlus supports countries in strengthening plant health systems and improving food quality, quantity, and security. Plant clinics are central to this approach, providing farmers with diagnosis and treatment advice for any crop problem.
Meet Florence Malemba, the virtual plant doctor reaching more farmers through video
Even from afar, it’s easy to spot Florence Malemba. She’s wearing a white lab coat labelled “Plant Doctor”, and a banner hangs behind where she’s organizing her equipment, ready to assist her farmer-patients of the day. Florence is setting up her plant clinic in Njoro, an agricultural town southwest of Nakuru City, Kenya.
The spray service provider using CABI digital tools to transform his business
A spray service provider is a trained professional who applies plant protection products to help farmers safeguard their crops—an essential role that 26-year-old Solomon Kariuki has turned into a thriving business in his rural community. In this feature, Solomon shares how the Crop Sprayer application has positively impacted his spray service business. In the ever-evolving…