Partners, including scientists from CABI, the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, Exotic Green Enterprises in Zambia, and Twiga Chemical Industries in Kenya, gathered to officially launch a new project to develop nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ms Elena Benedetti, Head of Fundraising and Technology Transfer, and Dr. Fernando Cantão, Project Assistant for Fundraising, Technology Transfer & Innovation, both from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), which is funding the project, joined the partners. The project is part of the wider B-INOC AFRICA initiative, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Mattei Plan for Africa.
Increase the use of nature-based solutions in agrifood systems
Through joint research, innovative pest management strategies, and soil fertility improvements, the collaboration aims to increase the use of nature-based solutions in agrifood systems and will focus on four products in Benin, Kenya, and Zambia.
Currently, 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on agriculture, which contributes an average of 25% of the gross domestic product. However, the region remains the most food-insecure in the world, with most inhabitants facing extreme poverty and malnourishment.
Boost productivity, improve biodiversity conservation and consumer safety
The partnership is working together to develop sustainable solutions to help increase yields of key crops affected by pests and diminishing soil productivity. It will seek to boost productivity, improve biodiversity conservation and consumer safety.
In Benin, MycoBen – a biostimulant based on a combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the genera Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae native to the rhizospheric soils of Benin – will be promoted to help increase maize yields.
In Kenya, the biopesticide Xentari DF – whose active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiesis var. aizawai – will be promoted to manage lepidopteran pests in broccoli. Currently, it is registered to control pests in coffee, roses, and carnations.
Meanwhile, also in Kenya, the biofungicide Remedier WP – used to control soil-borne fungal diseases such as damping off, root rot, Fusarium wilt Rhizoctonia rot, and Phytophthora blight in French beans – will be extended to treat Fusarium spp. in carnations and tomatoes.
Finally, in Zambia, VH Microorganisms is a locally manufactured probiotic biostimulant – which carries sea minerals and living microorganisms – that has already improved the vigour and yields of field crops such as groundnuts, maize, soybean, and fruit trees.
Crops affected by pests and diminishing soil productivity
Dr Joseph Mulema, Senior Scientist, Research, based at CABI’s regional centre for Africa in Nairobi, in a news story covered by the Kenya News Agency said, “Players in the private sector, researchers and universities are coming together to drive the adoption of nature-based solutions in agriculture in view of the losses incurred as a result of pests.
“Pests, such as the fall armyworm on maize for instance cause close to 40 percent of pre-and post-harvest losses, while in some cases, losses can exceed 100 percent, particularly in the case of certain soil-borne ailments.
“We are working together to develop sustainable solutions to help increase yields of key crops affected by pests and diminishing soil productivity.”
He added that targeting broccoli in Kenya will help the country’s exports of the crop and will enable managing the pest on other brassicas such as cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables in that family.
Solutions affordable and accessible to farmers
At the end of the project, the Kenya News Agency reported, farmers will be in a position to conserve most of the biodiversity in their fields, get safer foods, and what is needed is just to make the solutions affordable and accessible to farmers.
Edward Kitui, Business Development Manager at Twiga Chemicals, told the Kenya News Agency that they will be “testing biopesticides that can manage soil-borne pests and manage insects.”
Mr Kitui said, “Our collaboration will help partners involved in ensuring that the small-scale farmer is able to access the biodiversity-friendly products; be aware of their value and also look at sustainable food production.”
Ms Benedetti, as reported by the Kenya News Agency, said the project will be able to increase the acceptance and market penetration to enable local solutions that can become products, also at an international level.
She added that the aim is also to decrease the import of materials such as chemical fertilizers, because they have a massive impact on economics and finances of the country, a move that will also make some of those environment-friendly products more accessible to all the partners.
Ms. Elena Benedetti, Head of Fundraising and Technology Transfer, and Dr Morris Akiri, CABI’s Senior Regional Director, launch the project (Credit: Ninai Media).
Dr Morris Akiri, CABI’s Senior Regional Director, Africa, said, “This project aligns with CABI’s strategic priorities, particularly improving food systems, protecting biodiversity, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
“Collaboration is central to CABI’s mission, and while we continue to strengthen our close ties with ICGEB, we are equally pleased to forge new partnerships with Twiga Chemical Industries in Kenya, Exotic Green Power Enterprises in Zambia, and the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin.”
CABI is the lead implementer of this project and will be working on activities including delivering communication meetings and workshops, as well as the development of communication materials, including factsheets for farmers, pest management decision guides, leaflets, posters, and photo sheets.
Partners at the official launch of the project to develop nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (Credit: Ninai Media).Additional information
Main image: Edward Kitui, Technical Manager at Twiga Chemicals, Dr Elena Benedetti, Head, Fundraising and Technology Transfer at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and Dr Joseph Mulema, Senior Scientist, Research, CABI, at the project launch (Credit: Ninai Media).
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