A step forward for pesticide risk reduction in Sri Lanka with launch of new national committee

A farmer in Sri Lanka in his field
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…
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How farmers in Peru are improving practices through sustainable biological control

Plant clinic promoting biological control in Peru
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.
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Private-sector plant clinics advancing sustainable agriculture in Costa Rica 

A woman farmer receiving advice at a plant clinic in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is recognized worldwide for its green credentials; a reputation built on a commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. Agriculture, as one of the nation’s most important economic sectors, plays a role in supporting this focus. To ensure that farming aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), government agencies, international organizations, and private companies are…
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Watch the video: Trichogramma rearing facilities in Pakistan  

A farmer in Pakistan shows a trichogramma card
In the face of increasing pesticide reliance, biological control offers a less harmful, more sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides. Biological control utilizes natural enemies, such as predators, parasitoids, and pathogens, to suppress pest populations. In Pakistan, PlantwisePlus is collaborating with the Pakistani government to rear Trichogramma chilonis, providing farmers with these tiny wasps that control…
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Driving e-extension in Bangladesh through partnerships

Gourd farmer in Bangladesh
“Digital innovation isn’t just about tools, it’s about transforming access to knowledge where it’s needed most.”  In Bangladesh, millions of smallholder farmers struggle with unpredictable weather and frequent pest and disease outbreaks. Traditional agricultural extension services often can’t reach them fast enough. Digital agricultural extension, or e-extension, offers a solution. Using mobile phones, apps, and…
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Pesticide risk reduction in Pakistan: Building a safer future for farming

Farmer in Pakistan applying insecticides using a knapsack sprayer
Pesticides play a critical role in crop protection, but the overuse and misuse of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) pose serious risks to farmers’ health, the environment, and international market access. In recent years, pesticide risk reduction in Pakistan has emerged as a national priority, a trend shared by many countries worldwide. In particular, following trade…
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Digital skills training: Enabling access to digital advisory tools for women in Nepal

Women IPM facilitators participating in digital literacy training in Nepal
In a world where digital solutions are rapidly transforming agriculture, too many women, especially in rural areas, remain on the periphery of this revolution. This was evident during the promotion of CABI digital tools in Nepal, where we noticed that many smallholder farmers, particularly women, lacked the digital skills needed to access and use information…
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Youth leading Africa’s food future: Meet Mary Mueni, a young Kenyan at the forefront of agribusiness innovation

We meet Mary Mueni in May 2025, in Wote Nziu, Makueni County, Kenya, where she is leading a hands-on training with mango farmers. The topic is climate-smart technologies, and she is in her element. She moves confidently among the group, breaking down complex ideas into simple and relatable terms. Every so often, she pauses to…
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From field to farm: How digital innovation is transforming precision agriculture in Uganda

Digital champion, Anthony Ssenyonga
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…
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Meet the plant doctor bringing CABI Academy to India’s agricultural advisors 

Plant doctors in India use Lenovo tablets to log data
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…
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