Agricultural Minister endorses establishment of innovative biological control at farms in Sindh province of Pakistan
The Agricultural Minister for Sindh province in Pakistan, Mr Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, has officially endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see the establishment of Natural Enemy Field Reservoirs (NEFRs) to fight pests of fruits, vegetables and other economic crops – including cotton and rice.
Farmers in Pakistan use pheromone capsules to fight back against cotton crop pest the pink bollworm
Cotton is Pakistan’s largest industrial sector but is impacted by many pests. The pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella) is considered its worst enemy as it affects the quality of the lint and, ultimately, loss of the crop.
Measuring the value of improving data access and governance in Gates Foundation programmes and projects
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation addresses many important global issues. One of the foundation’s core areas of focus is data, including data access and data sharing in agriculture. Agricultural data is important as it can help to address issues of international concern such as reducing hunger and poverty as called for by the Sustainable…
Biological control for Japanese knotweed comes into sharp focus during second release of psyllid
Research to find a suitable and safe biological control to fight the scourge of Japanese knotweed is stepping up a gear in the Netherlands after the second release of a psyllid – Aphalara itadori – and our very own Dr Janny Vos, Partnerships Development Director, was on hand with camera for this picture special.
Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan meets small-scale potato farmers for update on potato capacity-building project
Potato is an important vegetable crop of Pakistan with 88% of production linked to Punjab state – of which 70% comes from within four districts; Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Kasur in Pakistan.
Data and farming innovations aid crop pest risk prediction and management in low income countries
Novel Solutions in the form of pest risk alert systems now present a unique opportunity for low income countries to better predict, prevent and manage pests that are estimated to cause between 20%-40% crop losses annually, threatening the food security of millions. This has been highlighted in a United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) 2021…
Benefits of the Global Burden of Crop Loss project highlighted at DevRes2021 conference
CABI’s Dr Laura Doughty has highlighted the importance of the Global Burden of Crop Loss (GBCL) initiative at this year’s DevRes2021 conference whose theme was ‘Advancing Sustainable Transformation.’
Farmer praises CABI’s postharvest training to help boost Pakistan’s smallholder tomato production
Tomato smallholder farmer Irshad Bibi has praised CABI’s postharvest training delivered in Pakistani village of Baili Janobi, District Muzaffargarh, which was aimed at improving ways of handling, packing and transporting the crop to market.
The persistent threat of emerging plant disease pandemics to global food security
Global plant disease outbreaks are increasing, threatening the food security of vulnerable people in many parts of the world, writes Wayne Coles, PR Manager, CABI. A nutritious and stable food supply can help lift them out of poverty and improve their health. However, the spread of plant diseases, exacerbated by climate change and the global…
Using natural solutions to overcome crop toxins and increase Pakistan’s maize production
On World Food Safety Day, 7 June, we look at how a natural solution to a maize toxin is helping to safeguard Pakistan’s food security and smallholder farmer incomes. Aflatoxin contamination presents a severe threat to Pakistan’s population including its smallholder farmers, writes Dr Babar Bajwa, Senior Regional Director – Asia, CABI. They cause serious…