Crop Health Archives - CABI.org

CABI and ICGEB’s NAMSSA partner with Exotic Green Power to commercialise VH Biofertiliser in Zambia

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:47:50 +0000

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Harnessing nature’s microbes: sustainable agricultural solutions for sub-Saharan Africa

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:14:00 +0000

Agriculture is a vital sector in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It contributes an average of 25% to the gross domestic product and provides sustenance for nearly 80% of the rural population. However, the region remains the most food insecure globally. Increasing agricultural productivity is the primary objective for SSA, but this goal is partly hindered by low crop yields caused by pests and declining soil productivity. Although several solutions are available, many prove ineffective against various challenges, particularly soil ones. They also pose many difficulties regarding their impact – biodiversity loss, food safety and soil productivity – all stemming from excessive use and unregulated application. These challenges can be addressed by developing low-risk and alternative products based on nature-based solutions that utilize beneficial soil microorganisms. CABI is collaborating with partners to increase the use of nature-based solutions in agrifood systems in SSA.

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Inaugural Africa Plant Health Systems Forum highlights strength of partnerships for greater sustainable food security

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 08:30:40 +0000

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Registration of biopesticides in Pakistan

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:56:36 +0000

Agriculture is extremely important to Pakistan’s economy and people. It is the largest sector, employing over 40% of the workforce and contributing approximately 24% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). However, the increase in demand for food is being challenged by low agricultural productivity due to losses caused by crop pests and diseases. To overcome these problems, there is an overreliance on pesticides which have caused food safety issues due to excessive pesticide residues. Pakistan is therefore focusing on sustainable pest management and ecosystem conservation. Working with CABI and partners, Pakistan has approved biopesticide registration guidelines to promote environmentally friendly pest control products.

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CABI BioProtection Portal launched in Malaysia to help local growers reduce reliance on chemical pesticides

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 10:59:35 +0000

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Generative AI for Agriculture Advisory

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 14:00:28 +0000

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) technology offers enormous potential by addressing information asymmetries and rapidly advancing research. In the agriculture sector, it can localize digital advisory messages and increase the accessibility of such messages to reduce the digital divide compared to traditional, non-AI communication methods. Using natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs) offers new potential to disseminate complex scientific information more widely, in local dialects and through various formats, transforming accessibility. This project will explore the potential to deliver advisories based on CABI’s highly curated and expert-validated resources to plant doctors and other agriculture advisors via Generative AI chatbot technology, and the data governance and licensing necessary to ensure the quality of such advisories.

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Wheat Blast: Earth observation and climate forecasts for risk management

Tue, 14 May 2024 11:39:07 +0000

Wheat Blast (Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum or ‘MOT’) is a plant disease of global concern, threatening crop production and biosecurity. Known to favour humid, warmer climates, the disease is a severe problem in Bangladesh and South America. However, the consequences of climate change pose the risk of the disease infecting other wheat-growing areas. Coupled with its ability to spread rapidly through the air and seeds, Wheat Blast’s devastating effects and limited control options are leading to heavy yield losses and it is now a threat to global food security. This project brings together a project consortium, formed of experts in Earth observation, remote sensing, pest and disease modelling, datasets and information dissemination to produce Wheat Blast risk maps and actionable advice as part of a framework. The framework will be used by key stakeholders as part of a targeted management approach to the disease.

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CABI-led study reveals “considerable farmer knowledge” on different aspects of antibiotics risk

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 09:46:01 +0000

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EU-China joint action to increase the development and adoption of IPM tools

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:37:21 +0000

The persistent threat of invasive agricultural pests and their chronic re-emergence underlines the importance of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tools and their implementation. Pest management typically relies largely on chemical pesticides, increasing the risks to humans and wildlife. Despite European Union and Chinese policies promoting the use of IPM, widespread adoption by farmers is limited. This project will utilize existing knowledge and techniques to adapt and optimize future IPM tools and practices. The project will further develop high-potential IPM tools and design cost-effective, environmentally safe IPM packages for economically important crops. Together with partners, CABI will lead the development of a web-based IPM tool performance demonstrator. CABI will also make valuable contributions to the development and efficacy of IPM tools against fall armyworm and develop a biocontrol agent for common ragweed.

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Earth observation to improve critical datasets for pest risk modelling

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 12:44:49 +0000

Rising temperatures have led to pests, diseases and weeds establishing in areas of the world that were previously uninhabitable. Furthermore, growth in global trade and new trade pathways increase the risk of accidental movement of pests. Earth Observation (EO) and climatic data can help by improving predictions about where potential agricultural pests and diseases may be a threat. Information produced by models can help decision makers understand and prepare for future risks. Working with a consortium of researchers, this project will use EO data to improve the data layers used in models that predict where pests can establish, including irrigation, areas under protected agriculture and climatic canopy conditions, demonstrating the improvements made to species distribution estimations for key pests and biological control agents.

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