Biocontrol agent released to control noxious parthenium weed in Pakistan
A “major step forward in the fight against noxious parthenium weed” in Pakistan has been taken with the release of a biological control agent at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad. The move is seen as a significant measure to help combat the risks parthenium poses to human…
CABI’s expertise in biological control resources highlighted in journal’s special issue
CABI scientists have joined an international team of researchers from around the world who have shared their expertise in a special issue of BioControl that focuses on the importance of biological genetic resources. The expertise particularly drew upon CABI’s strengths in advocating access and benefit sharing (ABS) policy and ABS…
Sign-up for SciDev.Net debate exploring pesticide risks in Kenya
SciDev.Net is inviting those interested in mitigating pesticide risks in fresh fruits and vegetables in Kenya to sign-up for a webinar to debate the associated issues this Friday 23 June 2023 at 2pm East African time. Dr Dorah Kilalo, a lecturer in the Plant Science and Crop Protection Department at…
Project advocates village-based biological control of fall armyworm in Zambia
CABI working with the Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) is embarking on a project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), to advocate village-based biological control of the devastating fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in rural Zambia. The project will help improve…
New study reveals willingness of papaya farmers in Kenya to reduce pesticide use
A new study published in the CABI Agriculture and Bioscience journal has revealed a willingness of smallholder papaya farmers in Kenya to reduce their chemical pesticide use to fight the papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus). Researchers from CABI surveyed 383 farming households in four counties in Kenya alongside key informant interviews…
Samurai wasp has minimal impact on native stink bugs, new CABI-led study confirms
A new study led by CABI has confirmed that the Samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) – a natural enemy of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) pest – has minimal impact on native stink bugs. Dr Tim Haye, Head of Arthropod Biological Control, based at CABI’s centre in Switzerland, teamed-up…
Project launched to improve marketing of pawpaw, mango, avocado and citrus fruits by managing invasive scale insect pests in Eastern Africa
A new project has been launched to help improve market access for pawpaw, mango, avocado, and citrus by managing invasive scale insect pests in Eastern Africa – particularly Kenya, Uganda and Burundi. The three-year project will seek to increase compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements for the fruits through…
Crop Sprayer App is latest tool in the PlantwisePlus Toolkit
CABI has launched the Crop Sprayer App – the latest tool in the PlantwisePlus Toolkit – aimed at helping smallholder farmers calculate how much pesticide to use when treating their crops and protecting them from pests and diseases. Plant health is increasingly threatened by climate change, pests and insufficient response…
Expertise shared at first Pan-American Bioinputs Forum aimed at increasing sustainable productivity in agriculture
CABI has shared its expertise at the first Pan-American Bioinputs Forum: Perspectives and Opportunities for a Growing Subsector aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and sustainability in the region. Dr Yelitza Colmenarez, CABI’s Centre Director, Brazil, joined a panel discussion on ‘Regulations and Policies for the Promotion of Bioinputs’ which explored…
Smallest agri-SMEs in Africa owner-managed by women bore the brunt of COVID-19, new CABI study reveals
The smallest agri-SMEs in Africa owner-managed by women bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research led by a team of CABI scientists and published in the journal CABI Agriculture & Bioscience. The researchers studied data from 119 agri-SMEs – ranging in size from sole proprietorships with…