Communication strategies to support the fight against fall armyworm in Cape Verde

Recognizing the key role communication strategies play in fighting the dreaded fall armyworm, the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) invited ICRISAT to conduct sessions at a workshop on Integrated Pest Management at Praia, Cape Verde. Over 30 plant protection specialists and the Agriculture Minister of Cape Verde participated. “Fall Armyworm is a great challenge to food security and farmers’ livelihoods because it affects crops that are the economic and cultural basis of family farming in Cape Verde. Fall armyworm can affect up to 60% of agricultural production on a continent that needs to produce much more, to feed its population,” said Mr Gilberto Silva, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Cape Verde at the inaugural session. The ICRISAT team comprised Dr Laouali Karimoune, Entomologist, ICRISAT-Niger and Ms Agathe Diama, a communication expert, trainer of stakeholders and Head, Regional Information, West and Central Africa. ...