Multimedia helps increase uptake of sustainable agricultural intensification in four African countries
A multimedia approach to extension services has helped increase the uptake of Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) in Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda as part of the African Soil Health Consortium’s (ASHC) scale-up campaigns focused on the key crops of maize, common bean, soybean, cassava, potato and banana. New research, led…
Urgent need for new approach to combat global grassland degradation
Global grasslands are a source of biodiversity and provide a host of benefits to humans, including food production, water supply, and carbon storage. But their future looks bleak without action to halt their degradation and promote their restoration, according to the authors of a new paper published in the journal…
The power of radio in fight against fall armyworm highlighted in new CABI-led study
A new CABI-led study has revealed the power of radio in extension communication as part of a campaign aimed at increasing the identification, monitoring and management of the fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) pest amongst smallholder farmers in Zambia. The research, published in the journal CABI Agricultural and Bioscience, showed…
Invasive Alien Species cost Africa’s agricultural sector an estimated USD $65.58 billion a year
CABI scientists have conducted the first comprehensive study on the economic impact of a range of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on Africa’s agricultural sector, which they estimated to be USD $65.58 billion a year. This is equivalent to 2.5% of the gross domestic product of all African countries combined. The…
Effects of credit guarantee scheme in opening up lending to smallholder coffee cooperatives in Ethiopia examined
CABI coffee value chain experts have led new research which examines the effects of a partial credit guarantee scheme in increasing lending to credit constrained farmer cooperatives in Ethiopia – Africa’s largest coffee producer and the world’s third and fifth largest producer and exporter of Arabica coffee, respectively. The study,…
Student completes PhD on defence mechanisms of a major group of maize pests, the Diabroticina beetles
A PhD student – co-supervised by Professor Ted Turlings and Dr Carla Marques Arce of the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland along with Dr Stefan Toepfer of CABI – has successfully defended her thesis on defence mechanisms of a major group of maize pests, the Diabroticina beetles. Dr Pamela Bruno…
FAO and CABI to support SADC Member States in fight against five key priority crop pests and diseases
CABI is working in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to support the operationalization of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Agricultural Policy that will help tackle five key crop pests and diseases affecting its 16 Member States. Dr Ivan Rwomushana and Dr…
SciDev.Net Plus offers you the chance to join our network
SciDev.Net Plus is a new membership programme which offers a package of exclusive benefits to subscribers including weekly news articles not available anywhere else, monthly invite-only conference calls with global editors, and access to a worldwide network of science specialists. Launched this week, the service includes a chance to build…
Banana farmers in Uganda and Tanzania reap a 64% increase in yields worth an extra USD $8.15m a year
CABI’s experts in communication and extension working with NARO and partners have played a key role in helping banana farmers in Uganda and Tanzania reap a 64% increase in yields – from 10mt/ha/year to 19mt/ha/year – worth an extra USD $8.15m a year. The successes – highlighted as part…
SciDev.Net’s Managing Editor narrowly misses out on top science journalism honour in ABSW Awards 2021
Ben Deighton, SciDev.Net’s Managing Editor, has narrowly missed out on one of the top honours in science journalism – the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) Awards 2021 Editor of the Year prize. Mr Deighton, who joined SciDev.Net in 2017 after four years as editor of Horizon magazine, was shortlisted…