Join this InfoPoint session to learn about PlantwisePlus, a global programme led by CABI, which empowers smallholder farmers to tackle the growing threats to food security posed by climate change, pest outbreaks, and unsustainable farming practices. PlantwisePlus supports countries to predict, prevent, and prepare for plant health threats, helping farmers to produce safer, higher-quality food through sustainable crop production. Food security, food safety and environmental sustainability are critical issues for resource-poor farmers who produce for a growing global population. During this session, gain insight into how PlantwisePlus addresses three critical challenges for smallholder production: preparing for pest and invasive species outbreaks, reducing pesticide risks, and improving access to farmer advisory services. The session will feature speakers who are partners in delivering the programme, emphasising the crucial role of on-the-ground partnerships in driving the success of PlantwisePlus. With a target to reach 75 million smallholder farmers in 27 countries around the world, the role of PlantwisePlus in supporting agricultural resilience, food security, and environmental sustainability will be key focus areas of this InfoPoint.

CABI is an international not-for-profit organization that improves people’s lives by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. CABI’s vision is a world where the sharing of agricultural and environmental knowledge empowers people and protects the planet. PlantwisePlus is a global programme led by CABI that empowers smallholder farmers in low- and lower-middle-income countries to increase their incomes, improve food security, and reduce biodiversity loss through sustainable crop production practices. With climate change and pest outbreaks posing significant threats to agricultural productivity, PlantwisePlus supports countries and farmers to prepare for and mitigate plant health risks while promoting the adoption of safer, more sustainable farming methods. Learn how PlantwisePlus addresses key challenges through three impact pathways: pest preparedness, pesticide risk reduction, and farmer advisory services. By strengthening national plant health systems, the programme enables countries to predict, prevent, and respond to pest threats using tailored pest risk alerting systems. Discover how the programme reduces the risk associated with excessive pesticide use by promoting affordable, effective and sustainable alternatives, such as biological control. Furthermore, the session will highlight how PlantwisePlus equips agricultural service providers with digital tools and knowledge to support farmers in adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices. The session will feature speakers from CABI, who will offer an overview of the programme’s achievements and vision, as well as two programme partners from Zambia and Pakistan who are involved in on-the-ground implementation. These partners will share how PlantwisePlus supports their national strategies for sustainable agricultural development, demonstrating the vital role of partnerships in achieving lasting impact. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme contributes to building resilient agricultural systems that safeguard food security, enhance rural incomes, and protect biodiversity in the face of global challenges.