Plantwise

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Lose less, feed more

Since its launch in 2011, CABI's Plantwise programme has been introduced to 34 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas. The aim was to increase food security and improve rural livelihoods by reducing crop losses. This was achieved by establishing sustainable networks of local plant clinics, run by trained plant doctors, where farmers receive practical plant health advice. Working in close partnership with over 170 in-country partners, Plantwise strengthened national plant health systems from within, enabling countries to provide farmers with the knowledge they need to lose less of what they grow.

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plant clinics established
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plant doctors trained
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farmers reached

Both CABI-internal impact studies and third party evaluations have shown that plant clinic users adopt recommendations, in full or partially, in 90% of cases and use more sustainable practices as a result. They increase their income by 32% on average and experience reduced seasonal food shortages. In Rwanda, plant clinic advice has led to a 5% reduction in the likelihood of a household falling below the poverty line of USD 1.25 per day. In Kenya, Plantwise demonstrated a benefit/cost ratio >2.0. These successes have increased farmers' confidence in agricultural advisory services. Visit our Research page to read the studies in full.

Working in partnership with the public and private sectors, Plantwise has significantly strengthened plant health systems. The programme has improved collaboration between plant health stakeholders, contributed to the awareness-raising and detection of new pests and informed policy, research and planning through field-based evidence. Thanks to Plantwise, the recommendation of "red list" pesticides - chemicals that are banned or restricted by international agreements - by agricultural advisory officers has halved. On average, yields have increased by more than 20%, and over 1.5 million farmers have improved their food security.

Plantwise's achievements have been widely recognised by a number of global awards, including: