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…
How plant clinics are strengthening crop health services in Bangladesh
When the first-ever plant clinic in Bangladesh opened in Dhaka in 2013, it initially faced a lack of interest due to its novelty and limited awareness among farmers. However, it went on to expand, providing advice to over 17,000 farmers and led to the current 383 plant clinics that are active in Bangladesh today. Government…
‘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.
“The health of plants, animals, people and the environment is interlinked in so many ways”
Without healthy crops, food systems crumble, livelihoods suffer, and communities become more vulnerable to food insecurity. PlantwisePlus supports countries in strengthening plant health systems and improving food quality, quantity, and security. Plant clinics are central to this approach, providing farmers with diagnosis and treatment advice for any crop problem.
How men taking on unpaid care work can lead to women’s economic empowerment in Burundi
Women carry a heavier burden of unpaid care work because of gender disparities. Unpaid care and domestic work include activities such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for the dependents in the household. This burden poses economic challenges for countries that depend on agriculture, such as Burundi. Burundi is a landlocked country in the African Great…
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…
How agro-dealer training in Uganda is reducing pesticide risks and making farming safer
Agro-dealers can play a critical role in sharing knowledge about pesticide safety and biopesticides. Misusing chemical pesticides harms farmers, consumers, animals and the environment. However, safe handling of pesticides and the use of nature-based alternatives help to reduce these risks. Nevertheless, many farmers lack access to relevant information. It has been estimated that less than…
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.
PlantwisePlus Knowledge Bank 2024 wrap up
As the new year begins, it’s time to take a look back at the highlights for the PlantwisePlus Knowledge Bank in 2024 2024 in numbers In 2024 there were over 1.8 million visits to the PlantwisePlus Knowledge bank. That is a 3 fold increase in visits from 2023. People from 230 different countries used our…
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…