‘Sowing the seeds’ for food security in Uganda: CABI supports training for Quality Declared Seed production
CABI has been working with Zirobwe Agali-Awamu Agribusiness Training Association (ZAABTA), the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), and Integrated Seed Sector Development (ISSD) in Uganda to help smallholder farmers meet standards for Quality Declared Seed (QDS) production.
“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.
From Crisis to Growth: 11 Lessons Learned Leading Agricultural Development in Burundi
My journey managing agricultural development projects in Burundi began in 2020, a year that will forever be etched in our memories due to the global pandemic. CABI ’s Plantwise program was launching in the country, thanks to funding from Nuffic (July 2020-March 2022), and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) in Bujumbura (November 2020-October…
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…
The ‘plant’ doctor will see you now
This blog was originally published on Good Food Movement Until five years ago, M. Muthulakshmi, a farmer from Thoppupatti village in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu, relied heavily on chemicals, including banned antibiotics like streptomycin, for her paddy crop. It was her go-to solution to treat bacterial blight, a deadly disease that affects crop yield. But, this…
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…
Invasive apple snail in Kenyan irrigation scheme could potentially spread to more areas
Experts consider the invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) one of the world’s worst invasive alien species. This species is native to South America and invades freshwater systems. It spreads rapidly and is very adaptable to stressful environmental conditions and changes. It also has high reproductive rates and strong defence mechanisms. Additionally, the areas it invades…
Piloting a CABI crop health advisory chatbot
Last year, CABI’s Digital Development team, in coordination with colleagues in Kenya and India, embarked on a journey to pilot an agri-advisory chatbot. This initiative was informed by prior stakeholder engagement activities under the Generative AI for Agriculture Advisory (GAIA) project, where key insights were gathered to ensure generative AI tools meet the needs of…
Most read blogs of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve tallied the numbers to reveal the most read blogs on the PlantwisePlus Blog this year—plus a few firm favourites! Our most read blogs cover crop pest guides, digital tools, and biocontrols for invasive species, highlighting the impactful work we do with smallholder farmers, policymakers, and communities. Did any…