New binary toxins found in fight against devastating western corn rootworm pest
After having 340 novel proteins from over 2,600 bacterial strains screened for insecticidal properties, scientists believe they have finally found a new effective toxin against the devastating western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) pest. Dr Stefan Toepfer and Wayne Coles reports. A consortium of seven French science institutions and companies,…
Mass media campaigns can be effective in promoting safer crop pest and disease control, new study reveals
A new CABI-led study has found that mass media campaigns aimed at changing pesticide use to fight crop pests and diseases are more effective when farmers are exposed to multiple forms of communication. CABI scientists collaborated with colleagues from the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Department Board (RAB) to study…
Eiphosoma laphygmae likely to be best classical biological control against devastating fall armyworm pest
A review, conducted by CABI scientist Dr Marc Kenis suggests that the parasitoid Eiphosoma laphygmae is likely to be the best classical biological control from the Americas against the devastating fall armyworm pest. Dr Kenis, Head of Risk Analysis and Invasion Ecology based at CABI’s Swiss centre in Delémont, evaluated…
Agreement with USDA towards greater regulatory harmonization and collaboration with ASEAN Members
CABI has signed an agreement with the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) to work in partnership towards greater harmonization and collaboration on regulatory systems in ASEAN member countries. Michelle Flavin, International Programs Specialist at USDA-FAS, joined Dr Babar Bajwa, CABI’s Senior Regional Director, Asia, in launching the…
Workshop reviews Pakistan’s organic policy plans for more sustainable food and cotton production
CABI’s centre in Pakistan, together with project donors Laudes Foundation, has convened a workshop to review Pakistan’s plans for an organic agriculture policy which will ensure a more sustainable approach to food and cotton production. The move is part of an ambitious plan to promote organic agriculture in Pakistan and…
CABI’s Executive Council reviews progress and plans to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges
The 403rd meeting of CABI’s Executive Council convened last week following approval by the organisation’s 49 Member Countries of a new Medium-Term Strategy focused on some of humanity’s greatest challenges. Speaking at the meeting, CABI’s CEO Dr Daniel Elger thanked Member Countries for their role in developing and approving CABI’s…
Biopesticides should be preferred over chemical pesticides for fall armyworm control, study suggests
Safer-to-use and more environmentally-friendly biopesticides should be preferred to fight the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) pest instead of more harmful chemical pesticides, a new CABI-led study published in the Journal of Pest Science suggests. CABI scientists teamed up with colleagues from Ghana’s CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), the University for…
Free crop pest diagnosis and management courses now available in 29 countries
The CABI Academy – which brings together CABI’s expertise in crop health, agricultural advisory services and digital development – is now making free courses on crop pest diagnosis and management available in 29 countries. Students, teachers and trainers in agricultural education institutions and the workplace can now access at no…
CABI shares expertise in FAO study paper exploring use of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents
CABI scientists have contributed to a new study paper from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) which explores the use of microbial and invertebrate biological control agents (BCAs) to ensure greater global food security. Dr Matthew Cock, Dr Yelitza Colmenarez, Dr Steve Edgington, Dr Hariet Hinz…
Ethiopia’s Director of Plant Protection explores further collaboration with CABI
Mr Belayneh Nigussie, Ethiopia’s Director of Plant Protection within its Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and CABI Liaison Officer for Ethiopia, has paid a visit to CABI’s regional centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore further collaboration towards ensuring greater food security. As part of the visit where Mr Nigussie…