Meet Shahadul Islam: the rice farmer using digital tools to improve yield and quality
Meet Shahadul Islam, a farmer from Jhenaidah District, Bangladesh. Shahadul is now a local role model for sustainable rice production, having adopted the PlantwisePlus digital tools and transformed his farming practices. For nearly a decade, Shahadul cultivated rice on his one-acre land. He regularly faced pest and disease challenges such as rice blast and brown…
Using chilli pepper extract to manage insect pests
In the search for economical and environmentally friendly approaches to pest control, particularly with chemical resistance becoming an increasing issue, biological alternatives can be important. One such solution lies in the humble chilli pepper. The compound responsible for its heat, capsaicin, is an effective alternative against a range of crop-damaging insect pests.
A step forward for pesticide risk reduction in Sri Lanka with launch of new national committee
In a significant step toward safer and more sustainable agriculture, stakeholders from Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture (DoA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and CABI came together for an important workshop on pesticide risk reduction and Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). The event, held in August 2025, brought together regulators, researchers, universities, industry representatives, and other…
10 common wheat pests and diseases
Wheat is a cereal grain, a staple food in many areas of the globe. It is primarily used to produce flour, which can be used to create other foodstuffs, including bread and pasta. Additionally, wheat and its by products are used to feed livestock. China is the world’s largest wheat producer, producing hundreds of millions…
How farmers in Peru are improving practices through sustainable biological control
In an effort to further promote sustainable agricultural practices in Peru, PlantwisePlus is supporting technicians and farmers to strengthen their capacity to identify and apply biological control agents. This has reduced dependence on chemical pesticides and increased adoption of more sustainable pest management practices.
From field to farm: How digital innovation is transforming precision agriculture in Uganda
Celebrating youth innovation on International Youth Day In Uganda’s agricultural landscape, farmers once relied on traditional tools for agriculture. An incredible digital shift is changing their lives for the better. Farmers in Luwero, Nakasongola, Nakaseke, and Mukono are now adopting digital tools developed by PlantwisePlus to optimize crop production and their resource investments, such as…
How do pest risk registers address the spread of plant pests in Africa?
Pest risk registers can help to solve problems in agriculture, addressing the growing global threat of plant pests. Moreover, changing weather patterns, led by rising temperatures, are causing them to reproduce faster and expand into new regions. In addition, global trade and increased movement of people are accelerating the spread of pests across borders. These…
Post-registration pesticide reviews: Experiences, learnings and best practices
CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme recently hosted a regional webinar on strengthening post-registration pesticide reviews. Experts from Kenya, Uganda, and Sweden shared lessons on risk-based frameworks, regulatory digitization, and regional collaboration. The event highlighted global best practices and the need for data-driven, adaptable systems to ensure pesticide safety and compliance.
How plant clinics are strengthening crop health services in Bangladesh
When the first-ever plant clinic in Bangladesh opened in Dhaka in 2013, it initially faced a lack of interest due to its novelty and limited awareness among farmers. However, it went on to expand, providing advice to over 17,000 farmers and led to the current 383 plant clinics that are active in Bangladesh today. Government…
“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.