PlantwisePlus and pesticide risk reduction – why changing minds, not just rules, reduces risks
Findings from Kenya and Pakistan suggest that reducing risks from pesticides depends not only on awareness and information sharing, but on addressing the underlying motivations that shape farmers’ pest management decisions Pesticides can cause harm to human, animal, and environmental health. The UNEP’s Environmental and Health Effects of Pesticide Use report states that the use…
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.
Pesticide dossier evaluation: Global lessons for stronger and safer regulation
Effective pesticide regulation is essential for protecting human health, safeguarding the environment, and supporting sustainable agricultural production. Robust pesticide dossier evaluation helps regulators determine whether products can be used safely under local conditions and ensures decisions are based on sound science and transparent processes.
How Social and Behaviour Change Communication is changing pesticide use in Pakistan
Social and Behaviour Change Communication is helping farmers in Pakistan adopt safer pesticide practices, reducing health risks and improving decision-making across farming communities.
In their own words: Uganda’s agro-input dealers on the impact of pesticide safety training
Agriculture is central to Uganda’s economy, employing more than 70% of the population. While pesticides play a critical role in minimizing crop losses, their misuse poses significant risk to human health, the environment, and food safety. Agro-input shops are common in towns, and trading centres cross Uganda. They sell seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. Smallholders frequently use agro-input dealers as their primary source of pest…
Reducing pesticide risks through public–private collaboration and long-term capacity building
Across Latin America, misuse and overuse of pesticides continue to pose risks to human health, the environment, and farm productivity. Addressing the improper use of pesticides requires not only technical knowledge but also strong partnerships. Public-private collaboration can support activities and embed safer practices over the long term.
PlantwisePlus develops agro-input dealer training scheme with Bangladesh government
Pest outbreaks in Bangladesh are causing a rapid increase in the sale of pesticides. Farmers are turning to chemical products such as fungicides, herbicides and insecticides to manage pests, which they often buy from their local agro-input dealer. However, these chemicals can harm the environment and human health. In Bangladesh, pesticide risks are significant due…
What do agro-dealers in Nepal prefer when it comes to sustainability standards?
Agro-dealers in Nepal can play a pivotal role in reducing the risks associated with pesticide use, such as harm to human health and the environment. They are a key source of pest management advice for smallholder farmers. However, many lack access to accurate information about risk reduction and safer plant protection products. How can we implement better…
Rooting out parthenium: A milestone moment for sustainable weed management in Pakistan
Parthenium hysterophorus, commonly known as parthenium or “famine weed”, is one of Pakistan’s most damaging invasive species. It spreads aggressively, suppresses crop productivity, threatens grazing lands, impacts biodiversity, and poses serious health risks to humans and livestock. Over the past decade, CABI has led a comprehensive, science-based campaign to address this threat. Now, as the…