Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) programme
CASA aims to drive global investment for inclusive climate-resilient agri-food systems that increase smallholder incomes.
Rearing natural enemies to control crop pests in Pakistan
Protecting crops from pests and diseases in Pakistan is still reliant on unsustainable pesticide practices. Between 1980 and 2004 the use of pesticide increased by over 6,600 percent, despite yields remaining stagnant over the same period. Since 2004, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods have proved successful for reducing pesticide use and protecting human health and the environment. This project aims to establish 50 Natural Enemies Field Reservoirs (NEFRs) to tackle crop pests directly and train over 31,500 farmers and extension staff on implementing IPM technologies in Sindh province.Protecting crops from pests and diseases in Pakistan is still reliant on unsustainable pesticide practices. Between 1980 and 2004 the use of pesticide increased by over 6,600 percent, despite yields remaining stagnant over the same period. Since 2004, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods have proved successful for reducing pesticide use and protecting human health and the environment. This project aims to establish 50 Natural Enemies Field Reservoirs (NEFRs) to tackle crop pests directly and train over 31,500 farmers and extension staff on implementing IPM technologies in Sindh province.
Evaluation of fungal pathogens for biocontrol of cat’s claw creeper
Cat’s claw creeper is a vigorous vine native to tropical Central America and northern South America. Introduced into Australia for ornamental purposes, this troublesome liana escaped cultivation and is now regarded as a significant environmental weed.
Ecological intensification of smallholder farms in Kenya
There is limited knowledge on the agronomic potential of biodiversity-based ecosystem services such as natural pest control and pollination in smallholder systems. To sustainably intensify production, there is an urgent need to develop safe, sustainable and affordable methods to reduce pest burdens whilst increasing yields.
Integrating advanced Earth Observation and environmental information for sustainable pest and disease management
Forecasting and monitoring insect pests and disease outbreaks is vital for protecting China’s economically important agricultural sector. By combining information gathered from Earth Observation and environmental data, CABI and partners will design innovative data products and communications tools to help decision makers sustainably manage wheat yellow rust and migratory locusts. A biopesticide development model will also be developed to help end-users decide when to use a biopesticide over a chemical pesticide.
Addressing scale insect threats in Kenya
In Kenya, scale insect pests are damaging native trees and crops and, consequently, causing yield losses of up-to 91%. Smallholders’ awareness of the threats posed by these insects is low because they are small and cryptic, whilst local entomologists cannot easily identify them.