Women farmers in Ghana empowered by radio campaign
Women farmers in Ghana face significant barriers to accessing agricultural extension services. Many women in low- and middle-income countries face similar challenges. The services are often designed for men and give them an advantage when it comes to farming productivity. Conversely, with a lack of access to extension services, women farmers on average produce 20-30%…
The power of street theatre – a novel approach to sharing farming know-how
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. However, many farmers lack access to crucial knowledge about sustainable practices. This is especially true for women. While women form around 66% of the agricultural workforce in Pakistan, they receive a fraction of the extension advice. This poses a challenge when it comes to pesticide risk reduction. In…
Pakistan launches agri-journalist forum to promote sustainable farming
Pakistan’s media has taken a significant step towards raising awareness on pesticide risks and sustainable farming with the launch of the country’s first Agri-journalist forum. It came alongside a series of media interventions and awareness raising activities led by CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme. The forum aims to strengthen the flow of knowledge on sustainable farming and…
Changing behaviour around pesticide use can make farming safer – here’s how
Chemical pesticides can be an important part of a pest management strategy, helping to prevent food losses and waste. Synthetic fungicides, herbicides and insecticides can effectively control pest threats, and this is beneficial for food production. However, pesticides have a downside. They pose a health risk to consumers, farmers, animals and the environment. These risks…
CABI’s communications campaign aids the fight against Cassava Brown Streak Disease in Zambia
CABI Zambia has recently shared evidence on the impact of its communication campaign on Cassava Brown Streak Disease. The assessment finds that the campaign activities played a pivotal role in the fight against CBSD at both local and national levels.
“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).
Ukulima True – a Kenyan farming campaign to help reduce the risk of pesticides
As demand for food grows globally, farming practices must intensify. Farmers will need to use more low-risk tools to tackle plant pests and diseases. Pesticides are an important tool for pest management. However, they should be seen as part of a kit of many tools, not the only tool. This is because pesticides also pose…
Addressing Cassava Brown Streak Disease in Zambia
Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) was officially reported in Zambia for the first time in 2018. It is a viral disease that causes hard rots in cassava roots and can result in substantial yield losses. It gets its name from the brown streaks that form on the stem.