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Agricultural development has contributed significantly to improving rural livelihoods. However, high-input, intensive farming systems are still having a negative effect on natural resources and ecosystems, and are one of the drivers of climate change.

CABI addresses this issue with an approach that is designed to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient known as Integrated Crop Management (ICM). We develop and promote innovative long-term solutions that increase agricultural productivity, while protecting and enhancing natural assets.

What we offer

ICM-Diagram-FINAL

Combining local knowledge with new research and technologies, we take a whole-farm approach that encompasses all of the relevant socio-economic and environmental factors. We then deliver an ICM solution that will improve agricultural practice, and safeguard both natural resources and the surrounding communities.

To help drive innovation, we provide technical support and expertise to government bodies, agro-industries and other organisations in areas such as pest management, biological control, crop nutrition and climate-smart agriculture.

Implementing changes in farming and food systems is complex, which is why we involve multiple stakeholders, including those in the food and input supply chains. We have a growing number of diverse partners from the public and private sectors, with whom we design and implement projects.

Some outcomes and impacts of our work include:

  • Establishing a Department of Plant Protection in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and introducing Integrated Pest Management approaches in maize production which led to yield increases of over 10%
  • Reducing pest damage in apple production in Albania by up to five times, and increasing the yield of ‘Grade I’ apples by 30%
  • Delivered a post-graduate Masters of Advanced Studies programme in ICM, which trained 66 agricultural professionals from 22 countries from 2015–2020. The MAS ICM course was replaced by the online Certificate / Diploma of Advanced Studies (CAS / DAS) courses, which have been running since 2022.

The team and key contact

ICM team members possess high levels of technical knowledge in agricultural, environmental and social sciences. They have experience of working within the international development context, and are proficient at adapting ICM approaches to different cultural and environmental situations.

CABI In Switzerland

Ulrich Kuhlmann

Executive Director, Global Operations

T: +41 (0) 32 4214882 E: u.kuhlmann@cabi.org

Project highlights

  • Rational pesticide use training course jointly developed with the Department of Plant Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture in DPR Korea, and implemented across 8 pilot cooperative farms, with awareness of this topic created on a farm management level across the nation.
  • 17,000 farmers trained on best agricultural practices in tobacco production in Argentina and 10,000 farmers trained in Turkey.
  • 24 Trichogramma production facilities established in DPR Korea, producing sufficient parasitoids (natural enemies) to combat the Asian corn borer across 16,800 ha of maize.

Related Projects

Project inception workshop in Beijing 2012

Improving the livelihoods of smallholder maize farmers around the Mekong

After rice, maize is the most important crop in the Mekong Delta. Insects including the Asian corn borer are a major threat to production. Fear of crop losses, together with a lack of alternative measures, can result in overuse of pesticides – posing health risks to farmers, consumers and the agro-ecosystem. This project will establish local production of an affordable biological control agent, the parasitic wasp trichogramma, which kills the eggs of maize pests.

GIZ Crop Protection Baseline Study

Pests and diseases often limit how much smallholder famers can produce. They affect crops both pre and post-harvest by reducing their value or making them unsafe for human consumption. Farmers try to reduce losses through a range of techniques, some of which have human or environmental health impacts. This project aims to understand and report on current crop protection practices and identify the most effective, safe and innovative options to integrate into GIZ’s programmes in 14 countries.

Harvested apples in DPR Korea

Partnerships for improving fruit production in DPR Korea

Despite advances in agriculture in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea), a shortage of fresh produce undermines the population’s nutritional status. Fruit is grown on large state farms and cooperative farms, but pests and diseases reduce yields and quality. CABI is working with key stakeholders in the fruit sector to develop best practice guidelines for fruit integrated pest management.