On October 16th, at the World Food Day global ceremony held at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters, the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS) was awarded the 2024 FAO Award for Achievement for their outstanding contribution to the global control of fall armyworm (FAW).

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu emphasized in his announcement of the award that IPPCAAS’s achievements in controlling fall armyworm have had a positive and profound impact in China, across Asia, and globally, making significant strides in protecting crops and securing food supplies.

IPPCAAS Director-General Lu Yanhui expressed in his acceptance statement that receiving the FAO Achievement Award is a great honor and encouragement for the Institute. He stated that IPPCAAS will continue to collaborate with the international community to combat crop pests and diseases, contributing to global food security.

FAW is a major transboundary migratory pest that affects crops such as maize. After FAW invaded China in December 2018, IPPCAAS took the lead in organizing nationwide technological efforts to control the pest. Significant advancements in forecasting FAW invasion, establishing monitoring networks, and implementing eco-friendly regional integrated pest management systems have been achieved in China, providing key technological support for the global FAW control strategy.

Since FAO launched the Global Action for FAW Control in 2020, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) has actively participated and strengthened regional collaboration to achieve sustainable control of the pest and promote global food security.

At the end of 2022, FAO and CAAS signed an agreement to jointly build an innovation platform aiming at boost agricultural research, science and technology innovation, as well as promote the agrifood systems transformation. The establishment of this platform has provided further support for their cooperation in FAW control.

The FAO Award for Achievement is awarded to outstanding individuals or institutions in recognition of their remarkable achievements in areas such as fisheries, forestry, climate, land and water, and animal and plant health, particularly in the fields of sustainable agricultural and rural development or food security. IPPCAAS is the first Chinese institution to receive this award.