The story

Pest outbreaks can be devastating for food security in Africa. Insects, mites and plant pathogens can quickly spread across borders destroying crops. Pests and diseases are estimated to cause around 40% of crop losses. Worryingly, pest movements are becoming increasingly unpredictable as a result of climate change. 

The Pest Risk Information SErvice (PRISE), launched in 2017, aims to solve this problem by using data to help farmers manage pests in sub-Saharan Africa. PRISE predicts the timing of the most effective and efficient control against pests using a novel combination of earth observation technology, real-time field observations and plant-pest lifecycle modelling to deliver a science-based service. Expansive, novel crowd-sourcing reports strengthen and validate the system. 

Ministries of Agriculture through their extension experts in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia are actively involved in PRISE. The system now collects and combines disparate datasets, manipulates data using computational and modelling expertise, and draws on well-established international development networks. 

In-country data collected from the field is fed into the model. Risk messages and mitigation measures are communicated to users through bulletins and SMS, helping them to take the right pest management action at the most appropriate time. 

We are already seeing results. During the short rains season in Kenya (2019-20), PRISE carried out a pilot in collaboration with partner Precision Agriculture for Development (PAD), sending SMS information about the crop pest, fall armyworm. 

A phone survey taken at the end of the season revealed that 86% of the maize famers questioned said fall armyworm was the biggest problem they faced, and well over half – 60% – reported changing their farming practices based on recommendations made in the SMS messages. The most common outcomes of these changes were a reduction in fall armyworm and an increase in maize harvest. 

“Our International Partnership Programme is about building sustainable relationships between the UK’s science expertise and developing countries to help tackle global challenges. PRISE is an exemplar project that provides innovative, long-term solutions to farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. By using satellite-enabled technologies, CABI and its partners are able to lift people out of poverty whilst creating stronger, sustainable businesses.” – Chris Castelli, Programmes Director, UK Space Agency 

For more information about PRISE, go to https://prise.org.