Digital skills training: Enabling access to digital advisory tools for women 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…
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…
CABI Academy supports Vietnamese universities in training the next generation of plant health professionals
Plant health lies at the centre of food security and sustainable agriculture. In Vietnam, as in many countries, preparing the next generation of plant specialists with the latest knowledge and practical skills is essential to achieving this goal. Under the PlantwisePlus programme, CABI is introducing innovative digital learning from the CABI Academy as a supplementary…
Training Sri Lanka’s agro-dealers in pesticide risk reduction
Agro-dealers provide vital support to Sri Lanka’s farmers. These agricultural input suppliers are often the first point of contact for smallholders who need advice on plant protection products. However, agro-dealers often lack formal training in safer pesticide use and pesticide alternatives. This can lead to the misuse of agro-chemicals, environmental harm, and health risks for…
Youth in agriculture: Meet Anthony Ssenyonga, an agri-entrepreneur in Uganda
Anthony Ssenyonga, 29, is an agro-input dealer, plant doctor, and entrepreneur whose innovative use of digital tools is supporting smallholder farmers in his community and beyond. He is a leader among the youth in agriculture in Uganda, inspiring other agri-entrepreneurs. Before his rise as a digital agricultural champion, Anthony was a small-scale vegetable farmer, helping…
Meet Florence Malemba, the virtual plant doctor reaching more farmers through video
Even from afar, it’s easy to spot Florence Malemba. She’s wearing a white lab coat labelled “Plant Doctor”, and a banner hangs behind where she’s organizing her equipment, ready to assist her farmer-patients of the day. Florence is setting up her plant clinic in Njoro, an agricultural town southwest of Nakuru City, Kenya.
The spray service provider using CABI digital tools to transform his business
A spray service provider is a trained professional who applies plant protection products to help farmers safeguard their crops—an essential role that 26-year-old Solomon Kariuki has turned into a thriving business in his rural community. In this feature, Solomon shares how the Crop Sprayer application has positively impacted his spray service business. In the ever-evolving…
Most read blogs of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we’ve tallied the numbers to reveal the most read blogs on the PlantwisePlus Blog this year—plus a few firm favourites! Our most read blogs cover crop pest guides, digital tools, and biocontrols for invasive species, highlighting the impactful work we do with smallholder farmers, policymakers, and communities. Did any…
Chilli black thrips outbreak: supporting Indian farmers to protect crops sustainably
Outbreaks of Thrips parvispinus, commonly known as chilli black thrips or Southeast Asian thrips, are causing challenges for smallholder farmers in India. These tiny, dark-coloured invasive pests are responsible for considerable economic losses, particularly for growers who rely on chilli crops as a primary source of income. Chilli black thrips are notorious for their aggressive…