European Union collaboration with FAO on the Global Action for FAW Control
A new video highlights the successes
The benefits of collaboration between the European Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are demonstrated in a new video showing positive results through the Global Action for Fall Armyworm Control (Global Action).
The video highlights research, and training of farmers and extension workers on-the-ground in managing the fall armyworm (FAW) insect pest through the Global Action project, funded by the European Union. In-person workshops, field trainings and online webinars have reached more than 2.6 million farmers under the Global Action, which was launched by Director-General Qu Dongyu in December 2019.
Many of these trainings under the Global Action have focused on integrated pest management (IPM) and good agricultural practices, equipping farmers with the knowledge they need to manage FAW effectively.
Since its first appearance outside its native range in the Americas in 2016, FAW has spread to over 80 countries across Africa, the Near East, Asia and the Pacific. The invasive pest poses a significant threat to global food security, livelihoods and agricultural development.
Validation and scaling up of microbial and botanical biopesticides in some demonstration countries has also been part of the Global Action, and guidelines for prevention, preparedness and response to FAW have been developed for national plant protection organizations, enhancing their capacity to tackle this pest.
Farmers, extension workers and researchers have also been trained in applying techniques and approaches for pest management, such as using FAO’s FAW Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWs) system for monitoring FAW, now being used in 63 countries.
The Global Action has also established a global coordination mechanism, promoting open dialogue and collaborative solutions that will be valuable in addressing future invasive insect and plant pests.
The new video demonstrates how the Global Action has reinforced efforts to discourage the widespread use of highly hazardous chemical pesticides and has emphasized monitoring, prevention and early response using local and safe materials.