Enhancing technical capacity for monitoring and managing fall armyworm in Bangladesh
Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is an incredibly highly invasive pest that feeds on over 80 plant species. Favouring maize and wheat, this caterpillar devastates crops and consequently affects the food security of smallholder farmers and the country. In Bangladesh, maize is the second most important crop which is grown…
Integrated Pest Management is best approach to fighting fall armyworm pest in Botswana, new study reveals
A new CABI-led study investigating the impacts, farmer management practices and implications for sustainable ways of fighting the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperga) suggests that an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach is the best way to tackle the devastating crop pest in Botswana. The research, led by Fernadis Makale and Dr…
Spread of highly invasive apple snail leads to rise in production costs for rice farmers
The invasion of the apple snail Pomacea canaliculata in Kenya is estimated to have led to an increase in production costs for rice farmers in Kirinyaga County with an additional Kshs 9,668,100 spent on 781 acres. A field scoping exercise conducted by CABI – involving stakeholders including the Ministry of…
PlantwisePlus
Farmers’ crops are increasingly at the mercy of climate change, pests and diseases. PlantwisePlus will work to help countries predict, prepare for and prevent potential threats and reduce crop losses. We will provide comprehensive support to countries and farmers so they meet the increasing global demand for quality food in a changing…
CABI study assesses the capacity and responsiveness of Kenya’s national invasive species system
A new CABI-led study has sought to set out a framework and method for assessing the performance and responsiveness of an invasive species system. The proposed methodology was piloted in Kenya. The objective was to engage with key actors within an invasive species system using a participatory approach to determine…