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…
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…
Celebrating success: Zambian smallholders combat cassava brown streak disease
Cassava is a critical crop to Zambia’s economy and food security. According to a 2019 paper, cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of the most important root staple crops in Zambia. An estimated 30% of Zambians – over four million people – consume cassava as part of their daily diet. Indeed, this crop is so important…
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…
CABI-led PlantwisePlus training to help increase livelihoods and greater food security in Papua New Guinea
Two international experts in crop and plant health from CABI have visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) to provide training in crop pests and disease which may help increase livelihoods and greater food security in the country.
PlantwisePlus restarts plant clinics following conflict in Tigray region of Ethiopia
In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, village-based plant clinics have traditionally flourished. Running from 2014 to 2020, with the support of CABI and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the local government and community embraced the clinics. The regional government even expanded on their services. However, a two-year conflict in Northern Ethiopia interrupted plant clinic operations.…
Fifth PlantwisePlus National Forum vows to address challenges of food security in Pakistan
Last month, CABI in Pakistan conducted the 5th PlantwisePlus National Forum Meeting. The forum, with the national and provincial agriculture departments, aims to improve Pakistan’s food security through CABI’s flagship PlantwisePlus programme.
Early pest warnings and IPM advice are improving food security for maize farmers in Ghana
Pest warnings are changing the way that smallholders in Ghana farm. Smallholder maize farmers in Ghana have long grappled with the challenges posed by crop pests. Over the past few years, this has included the notorious fall armyworm. This voracious invader has, in the past, led to significant crop losses. And the losses have impacted…
Training Kenya’s young farmers and women to help ensure greater food security
The theme for this year’s United Nations World Youth Skills Day was ‘Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future.’
Youth Skills Day: empowering and supporting young people in agriculture
To mark Youth Skills Day, Deogratius Magero, CABI’s Youth Engagement Manager for Africa, discusses why youth skills development programmes are vital for food security.