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Plantwise plant clinics deliver 3:1 benefit-cost ratio in Kenya

Summary

An impact assessment conducted by the American Institutes for Research has proven that the benefits delivered by the Plantwise programme in Kenya far outweigh the costs associated with running it. The study also confirmed that CABI’s global Plantwise programme helps farmers in the implementing countries increase farm productivity and reduce crop losses, reduces pesticide use for farmers living in plant clinic catchment areas, improves the coordination of stakeholders in national plant health systems, enriches the knowledge of extension agents, and collects data that gives detailed insights for better responses to pest damage to crops.

The story

An impact assessment conducted by the American Institutes for Research from 2014 to 2018, based on a randomized control trial, has proven that the benefits delivered by the Plantwise programme in Kenya far outweigh the costs associated with running it. The study showed that the financial benefits of Plantwise in Kenya were estimated to be over £1.5 million for maize using 2017 prices, giving a benefit to cost ratio of 3:1 and an internal rate of return of 54%.

“This study, conducted independently of CABI, confirms that Plantwise is an impactful and cost-effective approach to improving national plant health systems of countries. Not only does it make smallholder farmers more food secure and ensure safer production practices, but it also results in improved crop-based household incomes.” Dr Washington Otieno, Plantwise Programme Executive

The study confirmed that CABI’s global Plantwise programme has a major impact and helps farmers in the implementing countries increase farm productivity and reduce crop losses, revealing also that Plantwise:

  • Contributes to improved yields, increased crop-based household incomes and reduced pesticide use for farmers living in plant clinic catchment areas.
  • Improves coordination of stakeholders in national plant health systems, improving the likelihood of detecting and responding to pest outbreaks.
  • Enriches the knowledge of extension agents and collects data that gives detailed insights for better responses to pest damage to crops.

Farmers who used plant clinics were found to be more likely to use pesticide protective equipment like gumboots, caps or overcoats, and more likely to wash themselves and their equipment after applying pesticides.

“The significant role the programme has played in filling the gap in the provision of agricultural advisory services cannot be underestimated. Plant clinics are an innovation that has made the extension staff relevant to farmers in the counties where their services had been on the decline.” Philip Makheti, Director of Crop Resources, Agribusiness and Market Development at the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation.

Sustainable Development Goals


No Poverty

Helping small-scale farmers improve their livelihoods by providing knowledge about plant health and access to markets.

Zero Hunger

Developing a sustainable food system that helps smallholders meet the world's growing need for food.

Partnerships for the Goals

Organizations must develop and enhance partnerships to find the best and most sustainable solutions to the world's challenges.

Related News & Blogs

Kenyan farmers reap the benefits thanks to Plantwise plant clinics

CABI’s global Plantwise programme has a major impact helping farmers in Kenya grow more and lose less to crop pests and diseases, according to a new impact report published.

1st October 2018

Related projects

Plantwise

Worldwide, over 500 million smallholder farmers provide food for two-thirds of the earth’s growing population. Achieving a zero hunger world by 2030 depends on increasing the productivity of these smallholder farmers – but their crops face a significant threat. Yearly, an estimated 40% of crops grown worldwide are lost to pests. If we could reduce crop losses by just 1%, we could potentially feed millions more people. The lack of access to timely, appropriate and actionable extension advice makes it a fundamental challenge for farmers to get the right information at the right time to reduce crop losses.

Start: 01/01/2011