Diagnostics in action: A proactive plant laboratory in Comarapa, Bolivia
Ladiplantas (Plant Laboratory) in the agro-town of Comarapa, in Bolivia’s low Andean Valleys, is well integrated into the farming community. Ladiplantas is run by agronomist Olivia Antezana, as part of CIAT (Research Centre for Tropical Agriculture), of the Departmental government of Santa Cruz, since 2000 (Bentley and Boa 2004). CIAT is one of the three…
PRISE: speaking to the end user – pest alerts for plant doctors in Africa
After 2 hours drive, we arrive in Rufunsa District located approximately 150 kilometres east of the Zambian Capital, Lusaka. After exchanging pleasantries we settle down with Brian Siame, a trained plant doctor and one of the participants in our survey to find out more about plant doctor requirements for pest alert messages. After a brief…
Extender del Programa Plantwise a Nuevas Áreas del Perú
Con el apoyo de todas las agencias de donantes que apoyan el programa Plantwise y a traves de un trabajo conjunto con el INIA y gobiernos locales el programa INIA-CABI Plantwise viene siendo implementado en el Perú desde el 2012. A través de la utilización de los Módulos de Asistencia Técnica – Clínicas de Plantas como…
Las Clínicas de Plantas participaron en la conmemoración del 32º "Día de la Investigación Agraria" en Perú
El 14 de julio se llevó a cabo el 32º “Día de la Investigación Agraria” celebrado por el Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (INIA) de Perú. El evento conmemora la importancia que tiene la investigación y el desarrollo de tecnologías en el área agrícola en el país. En este evento se reconoce el aporte que…
CABI scientists shed light on factors affecting the use of biological control
Human health issues arising from the use of synthetic pesticides and concerns about their environmental toxicity are making lower-risk alternatives increasingly attractive. Biological control agents are living organisms which reduce harmful pest populations. Many people know of the common ladybird, whose larvae feed on aphids, but a wide range or biological control agents – e.g.…
E-plant clinics rolled out in Jammu, India
Last year Plantwise launched in Jammu & Kashmir state, India, with the establishment of 15 plant clinics across 3 districts in the Jammu region. This year sees the launch of an exciting new development, with the roll-out of e-plant clinics to revolutionize the extension system and support the quick transfer of information and advice to…
Working with women farmers to make Cambodian communities “Plantwise”
Greater involvement of women in plant clinics has improved the climate resilience of the farmers in Rohal Suong village, Cambodia. Women farmers play a critical role in agricultural production and food security, as well as household welfare in most Southeast Asian countries. According to a Census of Agriculture in Cambodia in 2013, of the 82% of…
How tablets are transforming Nepal’s plant clinics
I meet Man Bahadur Chhetri and his assistant on a bright Sunday morning as they are setting up the e-plant clinic in Gorkana, on the outskirts of Kathmandu. On the drive over, I saw plenty of maize being grown on smallholder plots and, here and there, tomatoes in polytunnels. Around the corner from the clinic,…
Latest Plantwise newsletter out now
Looking for something to read over the weekend? The latest Plantwise newsletter has just been published, featuring stories about the programme from around the world. The big headline for this edition is that our work has recently been recognised with two major awards: the $100,000 St Andrews Prize for the Environment and the Bond International…
Plant Clinics and Farm Visits Diagnosing Fall Armyworm in Malawi
Mr. Guze Kampinga visits the plant clinic at Dowa Turn Off with his damaged maize samples and is received by Mrs Eluby Phiri a trained plant doctor. “I have grown about 0.8 ha of rain-fed and 0.4ha irrigated maize (Ndimba). This year a strange pest has seriously damaged my maize and almost all people in…