African Crop Epidemiology System (ACES)
The increasing frequency and severity of pest (insects, pathogens and weeds) outbreaks are causing huge crop losses in Sub Saharan Africa. Reducing such losses requires the application of robust plant protection measures at farmers’ levels. Pest-mediated crop losses exceed 50% in both West and East Africa, but losses in northwest Europe stand at only approximately 18%. The development and implementation of an efficient, resilient and integrated plant protection system, that is guided by effective surveillance and forecasting of outbreaks, will help provide a timely and effective response and is expected to narrow the yield gap in many countries.
Plans for European laboratory take step forward
Plans for a new joint European laboratory have taken a step forward following a recent visit of a senior delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Institute of Plant Protection to CABI in Switzerland.
CABI joins 60th anniversary celebrations for Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
A special ceremony, held in Beijing on 26 May marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), one of the largest national agricultural research institutions in the world. CABI was invited to join the celebrations among some 25 international organisations and national agricultural institutions from outside China. The ceremony was followed on 27 May by a summit on Agricultural Science and Technology Development.
Strengthening agricultural research and development between Kenya and China through partnerships
CABI, Institute of Plant Protection- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPP-CAAS), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and Egerton University (EGU) have entered into a partnership to strengthen agricultural research and development between Kenya and China. This partnership falls under the Belt and Road initiative proposed by the Chinese Government to facilitate trade and economic development across 60 countries globally.