What are bioprotection products, and how do they work?

Ladybird biological control
Bioprotection products are nature-based solutions to managing crop pests and diseases. More and more growers are turning to environmentally sustainable crop pest and disease management solutions, such as bioprotection products. Reasons for choosing more sustainable solutions include pest and disease resistance to chemical pesticides and concerns for human health and the environment.    
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New bioprotection course paves the way for a more sustainable agricultural landscape 

A still from the CABI Academy introduction to bioprotection products online course
CABI Academy‘s latest course, Introduction to Bioprotection Products, enables agricultural service providers to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills to support smallholder farmers using bioprotection products. Bioprotection, also known as biocontrol, is a more sustainable approach to pest management. Unlike conventional chemical pesticides, bioprotection products are derived from natural sources, making them a safer…
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Why we need a skills framework for agriculture 

Extension worker in Jamaica
Agriculture has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Technological progress and scientific research are constantly reshaping the roles within agriculture and the skills required to do them. As such, it is essential to have a well-defined skills framework to guide the workforce. The Skills for Agriculture (SfA) is a structured approach to identifying, developing, and…
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Youth Skills Day: empowering and supporting young people in agriculture

Young farmer
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.
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Control of scale insects in fruit trees

Scale insects are a diverse group of small, sap-sucking insects with flat or domed shells. Their lack of mobility and protective shell make them difficult to manage. This explains why many scale species are commercial agricultural pests. Scales pierce plant tissue with their mouthparts to feed on the sap weakening the plant. Any excess fluid…
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Empowering farmers in Burundi through Plantwise plant health rallies

plant health rally, Burundi
Plantwise is making big strides in Burundi to enhance food security and boost rural livelihoods. The CABI-led programme aims to equip farmers with essential plant health knowledge. This information enables them to minimize yield losses and increase their incomes. One of the key approaches involves conducting mass plant health rallies. These are community events where…
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Use the Crop Sprayer app to improve your Integrated Pest Management strategy

farmer in Cambodia sprayer crops
The Crop Sprayer mobile app is the latest tool in the PlantwisePlus Toolkit. The free app helps users apply just the right amount of pesticide to treat and protect crops from pests.
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Update: New Pest & Disease Records (07 June 2023)

We’ve selected a few of the latest new geographic, host and species records for plant pests and diseases from CAB Abstracts. Records this month include the first report of Dothiorella gregaria associated with fruit rot of walnuts in India, and the discovery of three new species of Botryosphaeriales isolated from diseased plant branches in China.
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Pesticide risk reduction tackled at behaviour change workshop in Kenya

A workshop participant using the Crop Sprayer app
Pesticide overuse and misuse pose a risk to farmers, consumers, and the environment. Chemical pest control is a major source of pollution, leading to water and soil contamination. Moreover, pesticides can enter the food chain through residues on crops, jeopardising food safety.
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Conserving biodiversity: biocontrol for sustainable agriculture

A bee on tomato flowers
Can biocontrol help protect biodiversity? Biodiversity refers to all the living things on Earth, including how they interact with each other. A rich biodiversity means a healthy planet. 
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