New research reveals how pesticide-free crop protection yields up to US$ 20 billion/year benefits in Asia-Pacific region

Farmers in rice field
Scientists have estimated for the first time how nature-based solutions for agricultural pest control deliver US$ 14.6 to US$ 19.5 billion annually across 23 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The new research, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, suggests that non-chemical crop protection (or biological control) delivers economic…
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Climate change risks highlighted as Bangladesh prepares to repel possible locust invasion

desert-locust-Pixabay473
‘Aberrant and erratic climatic behaviour triggered by global warming’ has been highlighted as the cause of the ‘rapid and sudden upsurge’ of locusts unleashing destruction around the world as Bangladesh prepares to repel a possible invasion. Dr Malvika Chaudhary, Asia Regional Coordinator for the CABI-led Plantwise programme, is lead author…
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CABI and ASARECA sign MoU to strengthen agricultural research for development

David MoU
The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and CABI have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will enable both organisations to jointly work towards promoting their shared objectives and areas of strategic focus in Eastern and Central Africa. The signed MoU formalises and strengthens…
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CABI supports first release in Switzerland of natural enemy for the brown marmorated stink bug

Tim Haye with Barbara Egger and Jana Collatz from Agroscope
CABI’s Dr Tim Haye has supported colleagues at Agroscope with the first release in Switzerland of the Samurai wasp which, if field trials prove successful, could prove to be a formidable foe against the devastating fruit and nut pest Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug. Dr Haye, who is…
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Study calls for urgent plan to manage invasive weed which threatens livelihoods in Africa

Mimosa in Malawi
CABI scientists have conducted research which is calling for an urgent integrated management strategy, including biological control, to fight the invasive weed Mimosa diplotricha which is threatening livelihoods in eastern and southern Africa. Dr Arne Witt, lead author of the study published in the journal Bothalia, said that over half…
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Searching for a viable biological control of the Comstock mealybug, a pest threatening fruit crops in Switzerland

Comstock mealybug
CABI scientists are on a new mission to find a biological ‘weapon’ in the fight against the Comstock mealybug (Pseudococcus comstocki) which is threatening to cause significant economic damage to Switzerland’s apricot, pear and apple crops. Dr Lukas Seehausen and Dr Tim Haye, who are both based at CABI’s centre…
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