Climate changePest/disease control

Harnessing nature-based solutions for smallholder plant health in a changing climate

The impacts of climate change on resource-poor farmers are especially severe and include increased challenges with food security and food safety. This report explores how linking the frameworks of nature-based solutions, integrated pest management (IPM), and One Health can facilitate the design of climate-resilient plant health systems, with particular benefits for reduced pesticide use and exposure. Climate-smart approaches to IPM are proposed as a means to reduce emerging risks from pest insects, nematodes, weeds, and diseases under climate change. We elaborate the main climate change threats – and adaptation options – for five key nature-based solutions central to IPM: host plant resistance and tolerance, habitat manipulation, biological control, semiochemical control, and the use of biopesticides. We conclude by laying out a road map for ‘climate-smart IPM’, which outlines the types of support required for practical implementation, such as climate-informed advisory services, information and communication technology, and policy. While emphasis throughout is placed on smallholder production systems – particularly for sub-Saharan Africa – the principles of climate-smart IPM can be considered relevant to crop production generally.

Year: 2021, Uppsala

Publisher: SLU Global

Disclaimer This report was prepared in collaboration between SLU, IITA CGIAR, and NIBIO on behalf of SLU Global, and as a contribution towards the United Nations ‘International Year of Plant Health’ (IYPH) 2020.

Language: English

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Harnessing nature-based solutions for smallholder plant health in a changing climate

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Can PPT Help Farmers Adapt to Climate Change?

Yes! It helps with climate adaptation:
Desmodium enriches the soil and suppresses weeds.
The PPT improves soil moisture retention.
Trap crops provide livestock fodder, diversifying farm benefits and income.

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🌽 Our coordinator, Emily Poppenborg, joined the panel discussion during the event on the agroecological transition of food systems in Africa. The event focused on agroecological innovation and sustainable farming pathways for Africa. 🌿

▶️ Watch here:

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