From 17 to 28 November 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted a two-week Training-of-Trainers (ToT) workshop on the FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit (PRT) in Rome, Italy. The event brought together 20 pesticide management and registration professionals from Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe with one common goal: strengthening global capacity for safer and more effective pesticide registration.

Preparing a new generation of trainers

The event was officially open by Mr Yurdi Yasmi, Director of Plant Production and Protection Division who stated “FAO has trained more than 900 registration officers in 93 countries on the Toolkit in the past ten years. However, the demand for training continues to grow, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). We are very pleased to have you here today and we trust that you will take this knowledge to new regions and new audiences.”

The ToT workshop was designed to equip participants with the skills and confidence to teach national authorities how to evaluate and register pesticides using the FAO Toolkit. Over the course of two weeks, attendees explored the full range of PRT modules, from data requirements and testing guidelines to the identification and management of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).

A dual-track approach for diverse experience levels

To meet participants’ varying levels of expertise, the workshop offered a dual-track format:

• New Trainers focused on the core structure and content of the Toolkit, learning how to guide national staff through evaluation processes.
• Experienced Trainers worked in parallel breakout groups, drafting new training materials on pesticide alternatives and assessment criteria.

The sessions combined standard presentations with practical exercises to encourage active learning. Participants engaged in decision-making simulations using card games and were asked to give short presentations to practice their presentation skills. The agenda also included sessions on capacity building and demonstrations of digital tools such as the e-learning platform and the SPRINT project toolbox.

The PRT covers the various aspects of pesticide registration. The first week of the workshop addressed procedural topics, including data requirements, testing guidelines and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS). The second week focused on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP), covering identification, criteria and risk mitigation strategies.

A network of trainers ready to act

One participant reflected on the experience, noting: “The training was highly interactive and very effective. The quality of the sessions was excellent, we not only learned how to use the Toolkit but also improved our training techniques and presentation skills.”

The workshop concluded on 28 November with a discussion on how to integrate the PRT into national and regional capacity-building efforts. In addition to preparing participants to lead future Toolkit workshops, the group contributed to the development of new training resources and set the foundations for an information-exchange platform to promote ongoing collaboration.

Mr Baogen Gu, Leader of FAO Pest and Pesticide Management Team, emphasized the importance of this new cadre of trainers: “It was extremely valuable to bring together professionals with different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Collaboration is essential as we face the new global challenges in pesticide management. Strengthening registration systems is a critical step toward protecting human health, safeguarding the environment and building sustainable agrifood systems.”

The FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit remains a cornerstone of FAO’s efforts to support sound pesticide management. This new generation of trained facilitators is now ready to lead PRT workshops in their respective countries and regions, expanding the reach and impact of the Toolkit worldwide