China, Ghana and Kenya share experience, knowledge and training in FAW control
Stakeholders from Ghana and Kenya joined experts from China and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to share knowledge and train in innovative strategies to monitor and sustainably manage the fall armyworm (FAW) insect pest.
The technical workshop, held 11–16 November 2024 in Huizhou city, Guangdong Province, aimed to leverage integrated pest management (IPM) approaches, particularly those that have been developed in China. The training event, with 50 participants, was organized by the FAO FAW Secretariat and the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS), with implementation by the Plant Protection Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (PPRI-GDAAS).
Topics included use of FAW monitoring and early warning systems, biological control methods, development and mass rearing of natural enemies, biopesticide research and production, as well as drone and other pesticide application technologies. Experts from IPPCAAS and PPRI-GDAAS provided detailed explanations of IPM strategies and showcased China’s practical achievements in this field.
FAW is a notorious agricultural pest known for its extensive migration, rapid reproduction, and causing significant damage to crops. Since its initial detection in Africa in 2016, FAW has swiftly spread to some 80 countries worldwide, posing a severe threat to global food production. In response, FAO initiated the Global Action for Fall Armyworm Control in late 2019, designating eight countries, including China, as demonstration sites to facilitate technology transfer and regional collaboration through South-South Cooperation.
“Fall armyworm has emerged as a critical threat to global food security,” Mr Xia Jingyuan, Executive Secretary of the FAO FAW Secretariat, said as the workshop opened.
“This training aims to enhance the pest-control capabilities of African nations through the exchange of technology and on-site demonstrations, contributing to food security and the sustainable development of agriculture.”
Participants observed processes for mass rearing of natural enemies of FAW and precision pesticide application using drones. At a demonstration site for the integrated prevention and control of FAW in Pingtan county, Huiyang district, Huizhou city, they viewed the use of drones to release natural enemies “balls”, unmanned aerial spraying systems and biological pesticides. Participants from Ghana and Kenya said they could apply many of these processes and management tools at home.
Biological control technologies were highlighted by Ghana participants as particularly appliable. Those included scaling up use of Telenemus remus against FAW; scouting for alternative natural enemies; evaluating use of botanical extracts and essential oils against FAW at every stage of its life cycle; greater use of neem extracts; and identifying local plant species used in traditional pest management practices. Participants from Ghana also said they will try monitoring and forecasting tools, including pheromone traps, food baits, improvised light traps, as well as drone applications and FAO’s FAW Monitoring and Early Warning System (FAMEWS) mobile application and platform.
Once they return to Ghana, they added, knowledge will be shared through Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with approximately 1 000 farmers and through training of 50 extension officers across 16 regions.
Knowledge and training from this workshop will also be shared in Kenya through some 13 demonstration sites, participants said. Ten of those sites will focus on FAW monitoring technologies including pheromone, food bait and light traps, as well as botanicals, intercropping and biopesticides. Approximately 50 trainers will be trained as FFS facilitators to share knowledge from this workshop with about 1 000 farmers in numerous locations in Kenya.
During the workshop, a team from South China Agricultural University presented research findings with regard to precision agricultural aviation and progress made in biopesticide development.
Collaboration with scientific peers across China has been important for innovation and development of key technologies and systems for FAW monitoring and early warning, said Mr Liu Wende, Deputy Director of IPPCAAS.
“This includes the development of new insect radars and the establishment of a national insect radar networking system, creating a tight ‘net’ for monitoring FAW,” he said. Furthermore, by studying cross-border migration and hazard patterns of FAW, “we have proposed regional management strategies and built a ‘strategic barrier’ to defend against FAW,” he added.
FAO and China are collaborating through the project “Strengthening inter-regional cooperation for sustainable management of fall armyworm through South-South Cooperation,” to enhance the sustainability of agricultural production in Kenya and Ghana via technical support and capacity building.
The project has not only facilitated technical exchanges between China and African nations but also offered innovative solutions for global transboundary pest control.
“This event serves as a significant example of South-South Cooperation in action,” said Maged Elkahky, Global Coordinator of FAO’s FAW Secretariat and agricultural officer. “Looking ahead, FAO plans to continue strengthening its collaboration with China and other countries, providing increased technical support to affected nations, and assisting them in achieving sustainable agricultural development.”
Both FAO representatives and CAAS committed to further deepening agricultural science and technology exchanges through South-South Cooperation. The aim is to promote global food security and sustainable agricultural development, contributing more significantly to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“I’m confident this workshop is providing participants with comprehensive insights into China’s FAW research progress, furthering international cooperation in FAW management, and lays the foundation for further agriculture cooperation in the future,” said Mr Cao Haijun, Chief Scientist of the Center of International Cooperation Services in China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (CICOS, MARA)