Papaya mealybug biocontrol boosts farmers’ incomes in Kenya and Uganda
Papaya mealybug is a devastating invasive polyphagous pest. This means it can feed on many different plants, making it a greater threat to plant health. In East Africa, it causes yield losses of 57-91% and annual household economic losses of up to £2,224/ha. Managing it effectively can help to save papaya harvests and safeguard farmer livelihoods. Around half of the farmers in the…
Pesticide risk reduction: Strengthening policy, supporting practice
Pesticide risk reduction needs action at many levels, from stronger policies to improved farming practices. PlantwisePlus has supported measures to reduce pesticide risks throughout the food production chain. In this blog, we look at some of those measures and the positive outcomes they have achieved.
From skills to success: How young agripreneurs are strengthening farming communities
Every year, World Youth Skills Day celebrates the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need for employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. Across East Africa, PlantwisePlus is helping young men and women turn those skills into successful agribusinesses that strengthen farming communities.
How Kenya is preventing mango mealybug through early detection
The confirmation of mango mealybug in neighboring countries has raised concern for Kenya’s agricultural sector. Although the invasive pest has not been detected in Kenya, the risk of its introduction remains high due to the cross-border movement of plant materials. If established, mango mealybug could affect mango production and trade, making prevention and early detection…
How youth-led agri-services are transforming livelihoods in rural Kenya through a business-first lens
Across rural Kenya, young people face significant barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. At the same time, farming communities often struggle to access reliable agricultural advice, quality inputs and market opportunities. Youth-led agri-services are proving to be a powerful solution to both challenges.
“Before CABI Academy, I used to avoid fieldwork because I lacked confidence.“
Mercy Akinyi Ogonyo did not set out to become a field advisor. When she joined KALRO Horticultural Research Institute (KALRO-HRI) as a crop health research scientist, her work was largely laboratory-based. Her role included identifying plant diseases from samples brought in by farmers, then passing findings to colleagues. This changed after Mercy discovered CABI Academy’s online courses, which helped boost her crop health knowledge and confidence to…
From monitoring to impact: how evidence is driving youth agripreneurship
PlantwisePlus works with partners to help farmers protect their crops and livelihoods, strengthening plant health systems. By integrating capacity development, digital advisory tools, and evidence-based decision-making, the programme is creating more resilient agricultural systems. These systems are better equipped to respond to evolving pest and disease threats.
Crop Sprayer app helps young spray service providers build sustainable businesses
In Makueni County, Kenya, young spray service providers are transforming how smallholder farmers manage pests. The Crop Sprayer app, developed by CABI PlantwisePlus, is helping agripreneurs reduce pesticide risks through accurate dosage calculations, protecting farmer budgets, human health and the environment.
CABI partners to train agrochemical registration officers on crop grouping guidelines in Kenya
CABI partnered with the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) of Kenya and the Minor Crops Technical Working Group – Kenya (MCTWG-Kenya) to build the capacity of registration officers from various agrochemical companies in efficacy, residue data, and crop grouping guidelines.
Youth leading Africa’s food future: Meet Mary Mueni, a young Kenyan at the forefront of agribusiness innovation
We meet Mary Mueni in May 2025, in Wote Nziu, Makueni County, Kenya, where she is leading a hands-on training with mango farmers. The topic is climate-smart technologies, and she is in her element. She moves confidently among the group, breaking down complex ideas into simple and relatable terms. Every so often, she pauses to…