CABI has shared its expertise in a side event organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) entitled ‘Making biodiversity friendly pest control practices more visible as an alternative to Highly Hazardous Pesticides.’
Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann, CABI’s Executive Director, Operations, stressed the high value of extension or advisory service provision in pesticide risk reduction to help the world’s smallholder farmers grow more and lose less to crop pests and diseases.
He highlighted how the global CABI-led PlantwisePlus programme and the CABI BioProtection Portal is empowering farmers to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) for increased incomes, food security and reduced loss of biodiversity.
Support of phasing out Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)
Dr Kuhlmann spoke on a panel with Jennifer Lewis, Executive Director, International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA), Finbarr Horgan, Agroecology Expert at FAO, Kenneth Chipere, Principal Research Officer, Department of Research and Specialist Services, Zimbabwe, and Kenyan organic farmer Syliva Kuria.
The side event was held as part of the 2025 Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and showcased different perspectives, experiences and opportunities in the application of biodiversity friendly pest control measures in support of phasing out Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).
In particular, the side event sought to highlight the importance of collaboration among key actors in the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention and other international frameworks for sound pesticide and biodiversity management.
The side event featured closing remarks by Dr Baogen Gu, Senior Agricultural Advisor at the FAO.
Integrating biological control solutions into a selective IPM programme
The plant clinic approach.
Dr Kuhlmann said that CABI, through PlantwisePlus plant clinics – where farmers can take their affected crops for diagnosis and suggested treatment – advocates integrating biological control solutions into a selective IPM programme.
Dr Kuhlmann said, “We encourage the application of IPM as the preferred, ecologically based approach to producing healthy crops, which allows for pesticide use only as needed, and when adhering to measures that limit the exposure of people and the environment.
“As well as suggesting biological control solutions to farmers who attend a plant clinic, we also support the use of lower-risk alternatives by training agro-input dealers.
“In Bangladesh, for example, the programme is influencing new regulations for better training and certification of agro dealers. Furthermore, In Uganda, it has trained over 200 young people in sustainable pesticide use, enabling them to offer agro services.”
In answering the question ‘Can highly hazardous pesticides be used in parallel with biological control?’ Dr Kuhlmann said in theory they can but, in practice, this combination is rarely advisable and often counterproductive.
Benefits of digital tools and resources such as the CABI BioProtection Portal
He said better advice would be to avoid the use of HHPs and instead integrate biocontrol into a selective IPM programme where pests are regularly monitored, cultural practices are implemented to prevent pest outbreaks, and only low toxicity or selective pesticides are used if biocontrol alone is not sufficient to control the pest.
Dr Kuhlmann also highlighted the benefits of digital tools and resources such as the CABI BioProtection Portal, which is the largest, free global resource for biological pest management. The Portal’s mission is to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of bioprotection among growers and advisors.
It offers a comprehensive, searchable directory of nationally registered biocontrol and biopesticide crop protection products, along with detailed guidance to help agricultural advisors and growers source and effectively incorporate these sustainable natural products into IPM programmes.
The Portal’s data and information is available in multiple local languages and English, and is accessible online and offline across smartphones, tablets and desktops.
Phasing out highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in agriculture is key to achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additional information
Main image: Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann (right) speaking at the FAO side event held to explore making biodiversity friendly pest control practices more visible as an alternative to Highly Hazardous Pesticides (Credit: ©BRS Conventions Secretariat).
Relevant stories
‘How agro-dealer training in Uganda is reducing pesticide risks and making farming safer.’
‘Blueprint for change: how a training manual will support pesticide risk reduction in Uganda.’
‘CABI shares important new evidence on the legacy of Plantwise.’
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