Biocontrol that goes the distance: Acerophagus papayae in Kenya
Acerophagus papayae can slow the spread of the invasive papaya mealybug and benefit the wider community. Recent monitoring efforts have shown that the natural enemy is reaching long distances away from the original release sites. Invasive species pose a persistent threat to agriculture, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where favourable conditions allow rapid spread…
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…
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…
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…
Pesticide risks for farmers in Sri Lanka: The overlooked gender divide
This month marks International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is ‘Accelerate Action’, calling for increased momentum and urgency to address gender barriers such as those to agricultural advice. Empowering women with knowledge and information enables them to reduce pesticide risks more effectively and swiftly. In this blog, we look at pesticide risks for women farmers in…
Training module to help agro-input dealers in Uganda reduce the risks of highly hazardous pesticides
CABI has worked in partnership to produce a training module on lower-risk plant protection products to help agro-input dealers in Uganda reduce the risks associated with highly hazardous pesticides to deal with a range of crop pests.
Writeshop to draft National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework for Kenya
A writeshop has led to the creation of a draft National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework for Kenya aimed at coordinating pesticides residue monitoring for domestic and export value chains. This writeshop follows a series of virtual meetings held in the months of May and July 2024 that aimed at examining the situation on pesticide monitoring…
What are Natural Enemies Field Reservoirs, and how do they help farmers control crop pests?
Classical biological control (CBC) is a widely used type of biological control that is proven to be effective in managing invasive pests. This method involves releasing natural enemies like parasitoids or fungi that can keep pest populations under control. However, additional technology, such as natural enemies field reservoirs – or NEFRs – can improve CBC…
Advancing pest management in Grenada through PlantwisePlus biological control training
In a remarkable effort to enhance agricultural practices, Grenada’s Ministry of Agriculture recently hosted a pivotal training course on biological control organized and co-funded by CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme in collaboration with Sandals Foundation*. The course provided participants with a comprehensive overview of biological control strategies tailored specifically to Grenada’s agricultural context.
Blueprint for change: how a training manual will support pesticide risk reduction in Uganda
In the evolving landscape of pesticide regulation and safety, well-crafted training manuals are indispensable tools. They ensure that people who use pesticides can effectively navigate and implement risk reduction strategies. These knowledge resources can become a blueprint for changing behaviour around pesticides.