Study proposes measures to strengthen Burundi’s plant health system
A CABI-led study has proposed seven key steps which should be taken to strengthen Burundi’s plant health system (PHS) and in doing so help improve the country’s food security and ability to tap into valuable export markets.
Supporting women farmers by boosting the skills of agricultural advisory services
Agricultural advisory services can benefit farmers in low- and middle-income countries. They can help farmers to learn new techniques, increase their crop yields and improve their livelihoods. They can even deliver advice about global challenges like climate change.
‘Plantwise approach’ to promote nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture in South East Asia addressed at ASEAN forum
A ‘Plantwise approach’ to sustainable agriculture in South East Asia has been promoted at the 4th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Research and Development Forum.
Plant doctor training: a student’s perspective
Swagata Saikia, a PhD Scholar in Plant Pathology, recently participated in a Plant Doctor training course. Here Swagata talks about her experiences during the course. One fine day, I arrived at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Titabor, along with five of my friends for a training course entitled “Becoming a Plant Doctor”. Other PhD students,…
Plantwise: helping female farmers in Nepal access advisory services
In almost all regions of Nepal, women have a greater involvement than men in farming activities. The World Bank estimates that 74% of Nepalese women work in agriculture, yet they struggle to have equal access to agricultural resources. A new study highlights gender integration in the Plantwise programme and identifies the strengths and limitations in Nepal. It focuses…
International Day of Plant Health helps highlight CABI’s work to fight devastating crop pests
International Day of Plant Health – recently established by the United Nations and welcomed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – is a timely reminder of the devastating impact of crop pests, writes Dr Ulli Kuhlmann, PlantwisePlus Programme Executive and Executive Director, Global Operations at CABI.
Free CABI Academy eLearning courses for extension providers available in Rwanda
CABI’s new digital learning platform, the CABI Academy, is now available for free for users in Rwanda. The digital courses are designed for agricultural extension and advisory service providers. They provide important practical advice and resources to participants to grow their knowledge and provide the best possible advice to farmers.
How Plantwise plant clinics supported a women-led cottage industry in India
In 2003, twelve women in Chokkalingam Puddur village started a local biocontrol agent production unit. The Ellya Thendral women self-help group produced and marketed five different types of fungal biopesticides. Their cottage industry received a boost when a Plantwise plant clinic was established in their village. CABI’s Plantwise programme partnered with M S Swaminathan Research…
Innovation on the ground can be critical for gender integration
Gender-based social norms are major barriers to women accessing agricultural extension advice and adopting new practices. Although women make up 43% of the global agricultural labour force, just how gender-equitable are extension services like Plantwise?
Plant clinics in Pakistan: a complete package for advisory services for the country’s smallholder farmers
The crops of smallholder farmers in Pakistan face numerous risks and health problems. Often, a lack of knowledge on the farmers’ part on how to diagnose crop pests and diseases results in losses of between 30-40% of their key crops. This not only affects productivity and, therefore, food security but also livelihoods.