KEPHIS CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLANT HEALTH 2025 WITH DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES

Every year on May 12, the world marks the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH), a United Nations-designated day that highlights the vital role plants play in sustaining life on Earth. Established in 2022 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, this day calls attention to the urgent need to protect plant health to ensure food security, safeguard biodiversity, and fight climate change. KEPHIS, as the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) for Kenya, this year joined the world in commemorating the International Day of Plant Health themed ‘The Importance of Plant Health in One Health’. The Service undertook the following activities to mark the event; 1. SENSITIZATION FORUM WITH ROSE CUT FLOWER EXPORTERS ON THE MARKET REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) AND UNITED KINGDOM (UK) To mark the occasion, KEPHIS organized a sensitization forum with rose cut flower exporters to discuss and align on market requirements for the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK). The day served as a reminder of the threats posed by pests to our livelihoods, our environment, and access to key markets due to challenges like the False Codling Moth (FCM). 2. IDPH Media Coverage As part of our activities to commemorate the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH), KEPHIS invited members of the media to participate in and cover the event. The inclusion of media was a strategic effort to amplify the message of plant health beyond the scientific community and into the public sphere. Given the critical role that healthy plants play in ensuring food security, protecting biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and combating climate change, it is essential to raise broader awareness and encourage informed public dialogue. The following are the links to the media coverage; https://www.facebook.com/capemediaafrica/videos/kenya-marks-international-plant-health-day-at-kephis-officesthe-event-focused-on/1892969201461527/ https://youtu.be/FATnkfVlJhA?si=d16yEKhY9t-Miy3b https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1v42CKydkA&pp=ygUHS0VQSElTIA%3D%3D https://youtu.be/cQ98j05sAeI?si=6rQxDWRlgUEK-7kp 3. KEPHIS NAKURU HELD A CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH THE NAKURU COUNTY EARLY WARNING AND RAPID RESPONSE TEAM TO DISCUSS RE-EMERGING PLANT HEALTH ISSUES AND A PLANT HEALTH CLINIC ON IDPH 2025 In commemoration of the IDPH,KEPHIS Nakuru Regional Office together with the Nakuru County Department of Agriculture held a consultative meeting of the Nakuru County Early Warning and Rapid Response team to discuss emerging and re-emerging plant health issues. The team participated in a plant clinic held at Kamwaura, Njoro Ward to assist farmers with diagnosis of pests and diseases affecting their crops. The farmers were sensitized and taught on the importance of plant health and why it is a critical component in assuring One Health, in line with this year's theme of "Importance of plant health in one health". 4. EUPHRESCO III VIDEO CONTEST KEPHIS participated in the fourth edition of the video contest “Plant Health TV – Promoting the Importance of Plant Health Research,” organized by the EUPHRESCO III network, CIHEAM Bari, the Plant Biosecurity Research Initiative (PBRI), and CABI in celebration of the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH). The contest aimed to raise awareness and give visibility to national and international plant health research by showcasing the work of scientists and organizations dedicated to protecting plant life. KEPHIS video contribution - Silent threat - Detection and Identification of Pectobacterium Parmentieri in Potatoes https://youtu.be/-s7scsRNV_g?si=eWbCe_c3DHcY2oZC . Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service- KEPHIS, leads when it comes to protecting Kenyan agriculture by detecting and managing pests like Pectobacterium parmentieri among others. Through surveillance, early detection, and pest management training, KEPHIS is working to reduce the impact of this pest. 5. Raising Awareness Through Social Media: Sharing Plant Health Messages During IDPH https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ETu3ukF66/ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AV4bi8PN2/

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