Managing pests and diseases

The world loses about 40% of what it grows to weeds, pests and diseases, so cutting unnecessary losses can greatly improve food security and farmers’ incomes.

Swarm of locusts

Swarm of locusts attacking crop

Developing countries often suffer most from insects, weeds and microbial diseases that attack crops – losing as much as 70% of yield in some countries. A lack of knowledge and skills, and underinvestment in agriculture has meant that at the smallholder level, farmers often don’t recognise problems with their crops early enough, understand the potential effect on their yield, or know how to manage them effectively.

Producing crops for a local market is one option, but for those farmers who are part of a commodity chain, such as coffee or cocoa farmers, they may also have to conform to rigorous standards whether they be on social or environmental issues. For example, they will need to be aware of pesticide regulations in their market – the EU determines the maximum residue level allowed in food destined for consumers, and licenses those pesticides permitted for use on certain crops. Failure to comply can have a significant effect on farmers' livelihoods and on a country’s trade.

Our work

Caterpillars on cabbage leaves

CABI’s work focuses on cutting crop losses – so that more food is available, farmers have more to sell at market and can make a better living. As an impartial, not-for-profit, intergovernmental organization dedicated to finding the most appropriate, sustainable approaches to managing pests and diseases globally, we work with partners to put the needs of farmers first.

Browse some of the projects CABI is currently involved in, which are tackling the issue of pests and diseases >>

CABI has been working on managing pests and diseases for over 100 years, and we believe that action to improve quarantine and storage of crops could radically reduce the losses being experienced. Improved early diagnosis and accurate identification of crop pests and diseases, combined with increased surveillance and early-warning systems for monitoring the spread of crop pests and diseases, could improve food security.

KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

Technical information