CABI PlantwisePlus


PlantwisePlus is a global programme that is supporting countries and farmers to predict, prevent and prepare themselves for plant health threats in a changing climate. This will allow farmers to reduce their crop losses and produce more and safer food using agroecological and climate-smart practices that safeguard human health and biodiversity. The programme is implemented by CABI, a leading intergovernmental research and development organization in plant health, with research facilities in Switzerland.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Global
Agriculture & food security
Agricultural services & market
Agricultural development
Food safety and quality
01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027
CHF  5’100’000
Background Women and men smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries and their families are the most vulnerable and disproportionally affected by threats posed by plant pests and diseases, which are exacerbated by climate change. On average, 20-40% of crops worldwide are lost due to pests and diseases. Indiscriminate use of highly toxic pesticides is affecting human and livestock health. Due to weak agricultural extension systems, farmers have limited access to crop advice and environmentally friendly plant protection solutions. Consistent and coordinated mechanisms for surveillance, early detection and rapid response to pest outbreaks are essentially lacking. PlantwisePlus will address these issues by providing curative plant health advice to smallholder farmers and by contributing to the development of holistic preventive plant health systems at the national level.
Objectives Smallholder farmers produce more food using safer and more sustainable crop production practices, thereby improving food security and rural livelihoods.
Target groups

Delivery of PlantwisePlus requires coordinated collaboration with multiple public, private and civil society partners, including agricultural extension services, national plant protection organisations, input regulators, farmer associations, agro-input dealers, national and int. agricultural research organisations.

Direct beneficiaries will be 1) farmers which improved access to plant health advice, practices and safe products and 2) national plant protection authorities and offices with improved tools to predict, prevent and prepare for pest outbreaks.

Medium-term outcomes
  • Nationally and/or regionally coordinated pest preparedness, prevention and response supports crop production
  • Increased access to and use of integrated pest management solutions, supporting climate resilience
  • Enhanced gender inclusive farmer advisory services supporting the adoption of integrated pest management and crop production approaches.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Pest prioritization process implemented in 20 countries and pest preparedness plans developed in 7 countries
  • Risk analysis conducted for 400 pests and 300 people trained in risk analysis
  • 10 pesticide risk reduction practices/products implemented and 4000 people trained
  • 8 biocontrol species released, 12 under testing
  • 8 digital decision support tools developed and used by 3 mio people
  • 9000 people enrolled in courses with certificate
  • 6200 plant clinics running
  • 2200 rural youth and women pursue income opportunities in agric. service provision
  • 48 Mio farmers reached with plant pest advice, of which 5 Mio farmers adopt sustainable practices


Results from previous phases:  

  • New tool for prioritization of potential invasive plant pests developed and applied in 4 countries
  • More than 40 full pest risk analyses were conducted, and the process fully integrated in national plant protection activities
  • More than 5 Mio farmers (and more than 50 Mio farmers in the previous Plantwise programme from 2010 – 2020) were reached through a combination of mass reach campains, plant clinics, and digital tools and improved income and yields
  • The BioProtection Portal, an inventory of bioprotection products, is available in 32 countries
  • Biological control agents against two major pests were mass reared and released in Kenya and Pakistan


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
Other International Organization
  • Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International


Coordination with other projects and actors Synergies will be harnessed with other programmes supported by SDC, e.g. a new programme implemented by GFRAS/YPARD on agroecological advise in extension service, with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), the Ecologic and Organic Agriculture Initiative, and the new Agroecology Promotion Programme. We will also link CABI with partners of the nutrition and health portfolio of SDC to strengthen links with consumers and establish links to the Nutrition in City Ecosystems (NICE) project. CABI is an implementing partner of the CGIAR initiative on plant health.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’100’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’500’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   3’831’305 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   9’030’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)