In pictures: Tackling Croton scale in Grenada
In Grenada’s lush tropical landscapes, a tiny pest, the Croton scale, is having a massive impact. But thanks to the power of nature and knowledge sharing, change is underway. Through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, CABI PlantwisePlus, and the Sandals Foundation, the sustainable management of croton is being evaluated as part of…
Meet the plant doctor bringing CABI Academy to India’s agricultural advisors
In India’s Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh, plant health training with CABI Academy is playing a vital role in strengthening agricultural practices and supporting extension professionals. Meet M. Bhaskaraiah, the Assistant Director of Agriculture and District Training Coordinator for the Department of Agriculture in Andhra Pradesh. He works with agricultural advisors, strengthening capacity through hands-on knowledge…
Women farmers in Uganda: Plant clinic challenges and progress
When women play a greater role in agriculture, food security improves, and entire communities benefit. Yet, despite comprising around 43% of the rural agricultural workforce, women often face significant barriers to accessing the agricultural services they need to thrive. This includes advisory services, such as plant clinics, which support farmers in managing pests and diseases…
How do pest risk registers address the spread of plant pests in Africa?
Pest risk registers can help to solve problems in agriculture, addressing the growing global threat of plant pests. Moreover, changing weather patterns, led by rising temperatures, are causing them to reproduce faster and expand into new regions. In addition, global trade and increased movement of people are accelerating the spread of pests across borders. These…
Post-registration pesticide reviews: Experiences, learnings and best practices
CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme recently hosted a regional webinar on strengthening post-registration pesticide reviews. Experts from Kenya, Uganda, and Sweden shared lessons on risk-based frameworks, regulatory digitization, and regional collaboration. The event highlighted global best practices and the need for data-driven, adaptable systems to ensure pesticide safety and compliance.
CABI Academy supports Vietnamese universities in training the next generation of plant health professionals
Plant health lies at the centre of food security and sustainable agriculture. In Vietnam, as in many countries, preparing the next generation of plant specialists with the latest knowledge and practical skills is essential to achieving this goal. Under the PlantwisePlus programme, CABI is introducing innovative digital learning from the CABI Academy as a supplementary…
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…
The role of soil health in sustainable agriculture
Previously, we have discussed the importance of soil health for agriculture, highlighting its threats and outlining protection strategies. In this blog, we dig deeper into the role of soil health in sustainable agriculture and explore its long-term benefits. With almost half the world’s surface used for agriculture, it is vital that the land on which…
How does crop rotation help keep pest populations in control?
Crop rotation is a simple, effective way to manage pests, improve soil health, and boost yields. Suitable for all growers, crop rotation supports sustainable agriculture and reduces the need for chemical inputs. By targeting pest lifecycles and reducing pest pressure over time, crop rotation helps create more resilient growing systems. Read below to learn more.
Managing mango mealybugs
Mango mealybugs are one of the most important insect pests affecting mango production across tropical and subtropical regions in Africa and Asia. These sap-sucking insects not only reduce the quantity and quality of fruit but can also weaken trees over time, leading to long-term production losses. Several species fall under the broad category of “mango…