The story

Across the world, crop pest threats are on the rise. To address them, farmers are turning to chemical pesticides. However, these synthetic products can harm both environmental and human health. PlantwisePlus is working to support pesticide risk reduction by training agro-input dealers – the people who sell inputs such as pesticides to farmers – in safer pesticide use and use of natural alternatives such as biopesticides. 

In Bangladesh, agro-input dealers are a main source of information for smallholders on pesticides and non-chemical alternatives. However, many lack the technical knowledge and skills to give effective and safe advice. PlantwisePlus is playing a critical role influencing Bangladesh’s Ministry of Agriculture to adapt its regulations around the licensing of agro-input dealers. 

A new regulation will soon be adopted in Bangladesh to introduce mandatory levels of education and obligatory participation in training courses for the country’s newly registered agro- input dealers. Throughout 2023, CABI collaborated with local experts to develop the curriculum, manual and materials for the country’s new agro-input dealer training scheme. This work will continue into 2024 as the new regulation comes into effect.

In Uganda, PlantwisePlus and its partners have set up an agro-input programme, training over 200 youths in various agricultural skills, including safe pesticide handling and use. Covering 10 districts in central and west Uganda, the initiative has taught these young people how to diagnose plant health problems and give recommendations to solve them, in particular using natural, sustainable pesticide alternatives. 

The knowledge has enabled young people to create agro-input businesses and offer complementary services such as advisory services and spray services, benefitting their communities. With certification in hand, they are now qualified to provide products and services to farmers, which they do as part of the PlantwisePlus plant clinic network.