“Let’s talk about it”: Championing gender dialogues in Ghana’s advisory services
In Ghana, as in many other countries, women face challenges accessing extension advisory services. To improve the provision for women, in 2021, PlantwisePlus assessed the barriers to women’s participation in and access to extension services. The programme team used an FAO-developed tool called the Gender and Rural Advisory Services Assessment (GRAST).
Update: New Pest & Disease Records (13 October 2023)
We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this month include the first report of Fusarium sacchari causing root rot of tobacco in China and the first report of Fusarium commune causing root rot of field peas in Canada.
Empowering smallholder farmers in Kenya to produce sustainable safe food
Smallholder farmers play a vital role in feeding communities around the world. In Kenya, the CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme is making significant strides to enable these farmers to grow safe and high-quality foods through sustainable crop production.
CABI trains young service providers to help smallholder mango farmers in Kenya produce quality goods for export
CABI, under the PlantwisePlus programme, has trained more young service providers who will share their lessons learnt to help smallholder mango farmers in Kenya produce better quality goods for more profitable export markets.
PlantwisePlus supports smallholder farmers in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, with better banana agronomy
The CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme has been supporting smallholder farmers in Taita Taveta County, Kenya, with training on better banana agronomy which can help them increase their livelihoods, crop yields and food security.
Integrated Pest Management upskilling initiative benefits wider community in Nakuru, Kenya
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one of the tools for low-pesticide-input pest management. In the heart of Kenya’s Nakuru County, a PlantwisePlus initiative is underway. It aims to upskill and support women and young people to initiate agribusinesses that champion low-risk pest control products and practices. These micro-businesses provide employment for the trainees, while farmers…
How can Metarhizium be used to address pests and diseases?
Sihle Nakombe is a lab technician from CABI’s office in Zambia. She joined CABI in January 2023. Earlier this year, she visited the CABI labs in Egham, UK, to get training on Metarhizium. This naturally occurring fungus can control insect pests with low environmental and human health effects.
CABI-led plant doctor training in Burundi improves diagnostic skills by at least 10%, new study shows
Many smallholder farmers around the world rely on good agricultural extension services to successfully grow their crops. Correct field diagnoses of plant health problems are an essential starting point, writes Dr Stefan Toepfer and co-authors.
Launch of PlantwisePlus in Bangladesh to help increase climate-smart approach to plant health and food security
The launch of the CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme in Bangladesh will build on the success of the Plantwise programme to provide knowledge and tools to help Bangladesh predict, prevent, and prepare for plant health threats and reduce crop losses. The programme will ensure farmers not only produce more food but also improve its quality. This will…
Workshop helps prepare survey to assess food safety practices in Bangladesh
CABI, as part of its work under the global PlantwisePlus programme, has joined forces with a range of partners to deliver a consumer food safety workshop ahead of a survey to assess food safety practices in Bangladesh.