Plantwise knowledge bank: Expanding local and global resource pathways for plant health education and research in Africa

Plant health stakeholders in Africa face many challenges to manage crop pests. Apart from lack of access to vital knowledge and resources, new threats from globalization, climate change and population growth have led to a rapid pace of change1. The research and education community must urgently adopt new tactics for accessing and disseminating plant health knowledge. Since the launch of the CABI-led Plantwise programme and development of the Plantwise knowledge bank, this online and offline gateway to actionable plant health information is delivering key benefits for the research and education community. The programme has been successfully rolled-out to several stakeholders in 33 countries, 12 in Africa, and based on feedback the most outstanding benefits include front-line agricultural data to inform academic research, practical plant doctor training modules for agricultural faculties, and strengthened links between academia, policy makers, extension directors and the farmers they aim to impact; while for non-academic stakeholders (including among others smallholder farmers) the most frequently cited benefit is new knowledge to sustainably and safely manage pests, increased yields, reduced costs and overall improved income. Policy makers also report better information for investment, strategy and decision making and share in these improved linkages to key stakeholders in the plant health system. Plantwise recognized early on the need for a central information resource on crop protection to serve diverse stakeholders across the national plant health system. It works in two key ways: First, by providing a pathway for scientific research to reach key actors with diagnostic and advisory support. Second, it collates local pest reporting data collected at community-based plant clinics. It is these clinics where farmers can take samples of crops for diagnosis and treatment advice, while the data gathered can inform policy, research and targeted agricultural education. The two tiers by which Plantwise works are complementary. A striking example was the diagnostic and advisory support that has enhanced plant clinics operations and informed policy for agricultural investment Uganda. In this particular case, Plantwise has effectively engaged faculty and students at Makerere University and conducted two convening sessions attended by over 90 participants. The team at Makerere University has generated modules for equipping students with plant doctor training and has also engaged policy makers on aspects of knowledge dissemination pathways demonstrating strengthened linkages. There are plans at Makerere to continue Plantwise integrated training following the success and feedback of this preliminary partnership. Ongoing development of the Plantwise knowledge bank will be guided by lessons learned and needs of partners as the Plantwise programme expands, including through collaboration with key institutes and universities across Africa.