Page 4 - Vol.40-No.4 issue

Focus on importance of technology for International

Day of Plant Health

The Food and Agriculture Organi- food security and agriculture, the nology in detecting plant pests.
zation of the United Nations (FAO) is main source of income for many vul-
marking this year’s International Day nerable rural communities. Climate Key to detecting plant pests, such as
of Plant Health by shining a light on change and weather extremes are Desert Locust, is the ability to trans-
the importance of leveraging innova- also impacting plant health and alter- mit real-time data to national locust
tion to protect plants, which are indis- ing ecosystems, while creating new centers by using Geographic Infor-
pensable for sustaining life on earth. niches for pests to thrive.
mation Systems to collect and man-
This year’s observance on May 12 International travel and trade, which age data on pests, as well as a suite
focuses on the many innovations that has tripled in volume in the last de-
cut across areas where plant health is cade, has led to increased intercon- of smartphone apps. Early detection
crucial – such as plant pest monitor- nectedness among countries and re- of these pests enables FAO to provide
ing to protect agricultural production gions. This underlines the importance timely support for farmers, resulting
– and digital systems to ensure the of ensuring that people, goods and in reduced losses to crops.
safe international trade in plants. commodities crossing borders do

“We have no option but to leverage not carry pests and diseases a!ect- In Ecuador, FAO has also been pro-
innovation, technological advance- ing plants, animals and humans. moting the use of biotechnology
ments and tools to protect plants,” Technologies to safeguard plants in crop production and protection,
says FAO Deputy Director-General through the successful implementa-
Beth Bechdol. “The unprecedented FAO’s work on plant production
global challenges we face, such as the and protection involves scienti"c ap- tion of a fruit #y pest control system
unrelenting climate crisis, demand in- proaches, innovation, and the latest that uses the sterile insect technique.
novative approaches and digital tech- technologies. This involves rearing and sterilization
nologies to support countries with It includes supporting governments of large numbers of male insects to
stronger pest surveillance and early to conserve plant genetic resources
warning systems,” she added. and develop viable seeds and stress- mate with wild females, producing
The UN-designated International resistant crop varieties to increase no o!spring and thus reducing the
Day of Plant Health (IDPH) is a key crop productivity. It also involves insect population.
legacy of the International Year of working towards sustainable pest Meanwhile the adoption of the
Plant Health 2020. Ever since then it and disease management, by closely
has been raising global awareness on collaborating with individual coun- IPPC ePhyto Solution, providing for
how protecting plant health can help tries and communities such as the In- electronic plant health certi"cates, is
end hunger, reduce poverty, protect ternational Plant Protection Conven- making international trade in agricul-
biodiversity and the environment, tion (IPPC). tural products faster, safer and more
and boost economic development.
Through the IPPC, FAO is imple- e$cient. More than 120 countries
Plant health should be prioritized menting the Africa Phytosanitary Pro-
given up to 40 percent of food crops gramme to build capacities and sup- have adopted the Solution and more
are lost due to plant pests and dis- porting countries in using the latest than three million ePhyto certi"cates
eases every year. This a!ects global scienti"c evidence and digital tech- have been exchanged.

In The Next Issue
Main Features

Poultry Advertise
. Breeding/Feeding systems in the
Next issue
Seeds and Plantstock & promote your
Fertilizers products !
Harvesting and Storage
. Balers and bale handling equipment
. Grain handling equipment/Storage and silos
. Combine harvesters

2 Vol. 40 No.4