Scaling sustainable food production using integrated pest management
With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the challenge of feeding more people while protecting our planet has never been more urgent. Traditional farming methods often rely heavily on chemical pesticides, contributing to ecosystem damage and human health concerns. Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach that combines biological, cultural, and…
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.
Managing mango mealybugs
Mango mealybugs are one of the most important insect pests affecting mango production across tropical and subtropical regions in Africa and Asia. These sap-sucking insects not only reduce the quantity and quality of fruit but can also weaken trees over time, leading to long-term production losses. Several species fall under the broad category of “mango…
‘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.
How strengthening South Sudan’s plant health system can reduce crop losses
In countries like South Sudan, people feel the effects of climate change with greater intensity. For example, increased crop pest invasions. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) damages key crops like maize and sorghum. And the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) has inflicted extensive damage on crops, leading to a 91% reduction in papaya yields. These factors and…
PlantwisePlus – supporting countries with pest preparedness for food security
On World Food Day, CABI’s Global Lead for Pest Preparedness, Dr Ivan Rwomushana, considers how pest preparedness can safeguard ‘foods for a better life and a better future’ helping smallholder farmers to access the knowledge they need to prepare for and address the spread of pests. When it comes to addressing food security, pest preparedness…
Shaping sustainable management of the South American tomato leafminer in Vietnam
The global damage caused by the South American tomato leafminer (Phthorimaea absoluta) poses a significant threat to tomato production worldwide, including in Vietnam. Since its first official recording in Son La province in 2019, tomato growers have faced potential crop losses of 80–100%. A combination of its spread and ability to develop resistance to pesticides…
Pesticide risk reduction can contribute to food safety – here’s how
To mark World Food Safety Day on 7 June, with the theme of the year “Food safety: prepare for the unexpected“ we take a look at the ways in which the PlantwisePlus pesticide risk reduction pathway can contribute to safer food production.
PlantwisePlus digital tools to benefit the next generation of agricultural experts in Nepal
In Nepal, digital tools are strengthening agricultural advisory services by providing timely information, facilitating remote training, and promoting the dissemination of best practices and innovations efficiently and widely. PlantwisePlus has been developing and updating various digital tools to support agricultural extension workers, private-sector farm advisory service providers, plant protection officers, farmers, researchers, and students.
Common papaya disorders: A comprehensive guide
Papaya, also commonly known as the papaw or pawpaw, is a large tropical fruit-producing plant originating from Central America. Market demand for tropical fruits has steadily grown, and consequently, the papaya has become an important agricultural export in many countries around the world. As of 2020, India was the largest producer of papaya, followed by…