Wheat rust diseases: preparedness and prevention is key


Contingency Planning for Management of Wheat Rust Diseases

Wheat rust diseases are among the major constraints of wheat in South Asia as well as in other parts of the world. Rust diseases are airborne and respect no boundaries. They can spread over borders and cause significant yield losses over large areas.

Wheat rust diseases, being among the major transboundary plant pests and diseases, cause significant losses to farmers, and pose a major threat to food security.

Protection against plant pests and diseases and preventing their spread - is one of the keys to fighting hunger, malnutrition and poverty. This is the mandate of the Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

With EMPRES, FAO promotes the effective containment and management of wheat rust diseases through:

  1. Preparedness: creating awareness, planning and coordination
  2. Prevention: the right seed (using seeds of resistant cultivars) 
  3. Early detection and warning: field surveillance, monitoring and timely reporting of disease occurrence
  4. Timely response: the appropriate treatment at the right rime

Effective policies, technical capacity and coordination among the institutions as well as international collaboration play an important role in prevention and management of the rust diseases.

FAO provides technical assistance to the countries at risk of wheat rust epidemics through the global wheat rust disease programme. Creating awareness, contingency planning, preparedness, capacity building and promoting international collaboration are key components of this programme.

The "South Asian Regional Workshop on Contingency Planning for Management of Wheat Rust Diseases" workshop will take place on 18-19 December 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal and will bring together experts working in the field of wheat rust diseases in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, as well those from international institutions. Experts will share experiences and discuss issues related to contingency planning for the management of wheat rust diseases. They will also explore ways of strengthening collaboration in the region.

The workshop is supported by the Italy - FAO Cooperative Programme in collaboration with The Ministry of Agricultural Development of Nepal. The workshop will be followed with a two-day national workshop for Nepal on the same topic. 

The workshop will cover various topics such as the status of rust diseases, coordination, research, surveillance practices, seed systems, extension, coordination and planning approaches. It will also:

  • Assess the current status and challenges of wheat rust diseases and management practices in the region.
  • Assess the capacities, strengths, weaknesses and requirements for more effective management.
  • Evaluate institutional arrangements, coordination and contingency planning approaches.
  • Formulate recommendations for preparation of contingency plans and to strengthen regional collaboration.

 

South Asian Regional Workshop
18–19 December 2012, Kathmandu, Nepal
(Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Tahachal)

Further information:
Fazil Dusunceli, EMPRES Plant Protection, AGP, FAO, Rome, Italy
Email: [email protected]
Saha Binod, FAO Representation, Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: [email protected]

 

Core Themes