March 27, 2024 | Global Food Security |
A study conducted by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kenya, alongside research institutions from Italy, France, China, the USA, India, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Mexico, and South Africa, explores the impact of climate change on plant health. The research, presented in a CGIAR Webinar Series for the International Year of Plant Health 2020, discusses how CGIAR and its partners can enhance plant health management amidst the climate crisis.
The study highlights the critical need for integrated and systematic approaches to address climate change. Key discussion points include the use of surveillance, big data, and predictive models; the development of integrated pest management (IPM) tools; and a paradigm shift towards delivering sustainable, end-to-end solutions. The webinar emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment, conducting gender research, and implementing research at ecosystem and landscape scales through bundling and digital tools.
Furthermore, the study underscores the potential of global research collaboration, embedded within social and economic frameworks, to scale up solutions for plant health and agricultural resilience. By fostering partnerships, including those with the private sector, the research community aims to develop innovative strategies to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change on plant health.