CABI in Pakistan showcases its work on cotton as part of World Cotton Day
CABI in Pakistan took the opportunity to showcase its work on cotton, as part of a special World Cotton Day event hosted by the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI) in Multan, which included details on how it supporting more than 32,000 cotton farmers, 52,000 cotton farm workers and 500 agriculture extension workers through its projects.
Aflatoxin control in Pakistan: A project which will change landscape of country’s maize crop
Aflatoxin, produced by a poisonous fungus, is a serious threat to food security by contaminating many of Pakistan’s agricultural products, including cereal grains, chilies, dry fruits, nuts and milk.
Will we eat? Dealing with the impact of food shortages
Food shortages are a continuous problem around the world - to deal with them, should countries simply ensure they have a reserve of food? Then why do we still see food crises?
International Coffee Day 2020: How CABI supports smallholder coffee farmers
Coffee - the valued crop and source of livelihood for millions - is celebrated annually to promote the efforts of all involved in its production. From farmer to manufacturer, barista and consumer. Now in its sixth year, International Coffee Day 2020 comes at a time in history when the Covid-19 pandemic presents a unique challenge to the world including the global coffee industry. With that in mind, this year’s focus is on supporting the next generation of coffee producers – young people, entrepreneurs - people who the future of coffee depends on.
The advantage of developing ‘linkages’ for Better Cotton Initiative in Sindh province, Pakistan
In agriculture, cotton crop plays a vital role in the economy of Pakistan as the fourth biggest producer in the world behind China, India and the United States. But cotton yields and livelihoods are at risk from a range of pests such as Whitefly, Thrips, Cotton Mealybug, Pink Bollworm, and other sucking and chewing type…
How smallholder farmers can combat their reliance on staple crops
The world’s population relies overwhelmingly on four staple crops which together account for more than three-quarters of our food supply: maize, rice, soybean and wheat. Global food shortages will arise when these crops fail in a warmer climate, as is increasingly the case.
Boosting banana productivity in Tanzania: Farmer reaps rewards with up to three-fold increase
In Tanzania, where demand for bananas is high, banana farmers face the challenge of low productivity caused by pests and diseases and limited basic knowledge on banana management practices. The ‘Improving banana agronomy practices for small scale farmers in highland banana cropping systems East Africa’ project set a goal to raise banana productivity in Tanzania from 10mt/ha/yr to 25 mt/ha/year. The banana agronomy project which is led by National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is implemented in partnership with Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), Bioversity International, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CABI is also operated in Uganda.
Overcoming data sharing challenges: Lessons from OFRA
Between 2013 and 2017, CABI delivered a collaborative project, Optimizing Fertilizer Recommendations for Africa (OFRA). The project had a goal of improving the capacity of National Agricultural Research Institutions in developing fertilizer recommendations for efficient and profitable fertilizer use in 13 sub-Saharan African countries, within the framework of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices under smallholder farming.
‘Going viral’ – how popular music videos help bring soybean farming knowledge to thousands in Ghana
Development communication is an important tool for sharing information with small-scale farmers, writes Duncan Sones. Usually, the goal is to reach as many of the right people as possible, that’s to say to go viral with your communication. After all, you want your information to be seen by many and to make the biggest change…
Mr Nutri Bean: Educating children to increase consumption of iron and zinc rich beans
The higher iron and zinc rich beans called NAROBEAN 1, 2, 3, 4C and 5C can significantly improve nutrition and are particularly beneficial for children and expectant mothers.