Support from the United Kingdom enables Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to scale up pest monitoring and improve food security in Africa
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomes nearly US$1.2 million (£950,000) contributions from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, which will support implementation African Plant Quarantine Program (app).
The application is International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), aims to enhance the personnel technical capabilities of the National Plant Protection Organization – a government agency responsible for phytosanitary work. The program enables them to use scientific methods and advanced digital technologies to improve monitoring, detection, response and recovery from pest outbreaks.
Every year, pests cause 30% to 60% of crop losses in Africa, resulting in an economic cost of approximately US$65.58 billion. These losses have made millions of people food insecurity, affecting the livelihoods of small and commercial farmers and hindering regional and international trade in agricultural commodities.
“This contribution to the application will enhance Africa’s phytosanitary capacity and strengthen our collective efforts to combat plant pests. A strong phytosanitation system is essential to protecting food security, enhancing biosecurity, promoting trade, and protecting the livelihoods of the mainland,” Beth Bechdol, Beth Bechdol, Beth Bechdol, Beth Bechdol, Beth Bechdol.
The application implementation targets all 54 African countries, with the first phase in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Guinea-Peso, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The second phase will be launched in 2025 with eight countries: Algeria, Cape Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Liberia, Malawi, South Africa and Tunisia.
Partnerships for sustainable and resilient agriculture
Since becoming a member of the FAO in 1945, the UK has helped promote sustainable agriculture and global food security by supporting the organization’s strategic work in agricultural statistics, nutrition and food security analysis, development of cooperation, make up for peacebuilding and climate change. The latest contribution of the UK International Biosafety Programme will strengthen key areas of FAO’s work, helping prevent, detect and manage plant pests that have the potential to move quickly and easily across the borders and cause huge economic and environmental damage.
“We appreciate the support from the UK and Northern Ireland UK to strengthen the phytosanitary system in Africa,” said Alexander Jones, Director of the Resource Mobilization Division of FAO. “As global travel and trade increase, the technical capacity of the National Plant Conservation Organization has been improved so that they can identify and respond to threats, an investment whose impact will be felt globally.”
The UK has been a strong advocate of plant health for many years, with loan support for IPPC various programs such as the International Year of Plant Health, the First International Conference on Plant Health, IPPC Ephyto Solutions, and the assessment and management of the impact of climate change on plant health. The UK is also closely involved in the formulation and implementation of the International Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMS), which serves as the basis for the development of national legislation, guidelines and measures to protect its plant resources from pests.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of the FAO Regional Office.
