CABI News

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CABI is working in partnership to develop more nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. These solutions will help increase the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers and ensure enhanced food security.

Currently, 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on agriculture, which contributes an average of 25% of the gross domestic product. However, the region remains the most food-insecure in the world, with most inhabitants facing extreme poverty and malnourishment.

Scientists from CABI and colleagues from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, Exotic Green Enterprises in Zambia, and Twiga Chemical Industries in Kenya, are working together to develop sustainable solutions to help increase yields of key crops affected by pests and diminishing soil productivity.

Increase the use of nature-based solutions in agrifood systems

Through joint research, innovative pest management strategies, and soil fertility improvements, the collaboration aims to increase the use of nature-based solutions in agrifood systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It will thereby boost agricultural productivity, improve biodiversity conservation and consumer safety, and will focus on four products in Benin, Kenya, and Zambia.

In Benin, MycoBen – a biostimulant based on a combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the genera Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae native to the rhizospheric soils of Benin – will be promoted to help increase maize yields.

Various studies conducted in the laboratory, greenhouses, and field have demonstrated this biostimulant’s ability to reduce the dose of mineral fertiliser and improve the agronomic performance of maize crops.

In Kenya, the biopesticide Xentari DF – whose active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiesis var. aizawai – will be promoted to manage lepidopteran pests in broccoli. Currently, it is registered to control pests in coffee, roses, and carnations.

It is hoped that 6,000 farmers will be encouraged to use the product across 16 new counties, including Bomet, Embu, Homa Bay, Kericho, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Lamu, Machakos, Migori, Mombasa, Narok, Nyamira, Taita Taveta, Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu, with projected yields of 3,000 Kgs, resulting in USD $145,000, in the first year. Yields are expected to increase to 3,800 kg in year two, resulting in USD $190,000.

Biofungicide to control soil-borne fungal diseases

Meanwhile, also in Kenya, the biofungicide Remedier WP – used to control soil-borne fungal diseases such as damping off, root rot, Fusarium wilt Rhizoctonia rot, and Phytophthora blight in French beans – will be extended to treat Fusarium spp. in carnations and tomatoes.

It is hoped that 5,000 will be encouraged to use the product and that annual sales of 2,400 Kgs, resulting in USD $140,000, will be achieved in year one, and sales of 3,400 Kgs, resulting in USD $170,000, might be reached in year two.

Finally, in Zambia, VH Microorganisms is a locally manufactured probiotic biostimulant – which carries sea minerals and living microorganisms – that has already improved the vigour and yields of field crops such as groundnuts, maize, soybean, and fruit trees.

It is hoped that once the product is registered for greater widespread use, up to 5,000 farmers over the next five years in five of Zambia’s 10 provinces in 16 districts will be urged to take up its use.

The areas targeted include the Central Province (Shibuyunji), the Copperbelt Province (Chilabombwe, Chingola, Kitwe, and Ndola), the Eastern Province (Chipata, Katete, Lundazi, and Petauke), the Lusaka Province (Chongwe and Kafue), and the Southern Province (Choma, Livingstone, Mazabuka, Monze, and Pemba).

The region remains the most food insecure in the world

Dr Joseph Mulema, Senior Scientist, Research, based at CABI’s regional centre for Africa in Nairobi, said, “There are increasing reports of outbreaks of endemic pests, invasion by non-native pests, depletion of nutrients, and soil becoming less suppressive, resulting in the preponderance of soil-borne pathogens.

“Pests, such as the fall armyworm on maize, for example, cause close to 40% of pre-and post-harvest losses, while in some cases, losses can exceed 100%, particularly in the case of certain soil-borne ailments.

“The project aims to address these challenges by supporting registrations of prospective nature-based solutions, increasing awareness amongst farmers and last-mile agri-input suppliers, and building the capacity of critical value chain actors regarding these nature-based solutions.”

He added that the project’s specific objectives will include improving access to and reducing barriers to the availability of target nature-based solutions in the project locations and improving the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of agrifood system actors regarding nature-based solutions as safer alternatives.

Power of partnerships to minimise impacts of crop pests and depleted soils

Professor Lamine Saïd Baba-Mousa, Director of the Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology at the University of Abomey-Calavi, said, “This project demonstrates the power of partnerships to help minimise the impacts of crop pests and depleted soils by embracing and fostering the use of nature-based solutions to help increase crop yields as part of a sustainable approach to agriculture.”

He added that the University of Abomey-Calavi will lead the evaluation of MycoBen’s effects on maize in Benin. This includes producing MycoBen, evaluating the biostimulant’s effects on maize growth and yield in central, northern, and southern Benin, and microbiologically analyzing soil samples.

Exotic Green Power Enterprises will establish VH Microorganism details for certification in Zambia. Twiga Chemical Industries will lead the promotion of Remedier WP and Xentari DF in Kenya.

CABI is the lead implementer of this project; however, some of the key activities under CABI include communication meetings and workshops as well as the development of communication materials, including factsheets for farmers, pest management decision guides, leaflets, posters, and photo sheets.

The project is funded through the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), developed within “Piano Mattei” B-INOC project framework and supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

Additional information

Main image: It is hoped that nature-based solutions to crop pests and depleted soils in Sub-Saharan Africa will help increase yields and food security (Credit: CABI).

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