Soybean rust threat looms large: Farmers in Southern Africa armed with early warning system

A coalition of agricultural experts is rallying to shield smallholder farmers in Southern Africa from the devastating impact of soybean rust, a fungal disease that can decimate crops. The initiative, spearheaded by Solidaridad, Kvuno, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the Soybean Innovation Lab, focuses on empowering farmers with an Early Warning System (EWS) to combat this growing threat. As climate change alters weather patterns, soybean rust is spreading rapidly, posing a significant risk to food security in the region. Smallholder farmers, who often rely heavily on a single crop, are particularly vulnerable to the disease’s destructive potential. “Our goal is to empower farmers with the tools they need to protect their livelihoods,” says Shungu Kanyemba, Managing Director of Solidaridad Southern Africa. “By providing real-time information on soybean rust outbreaks, we’re enabling farmers to make informed decisions and take timely action to ...