Publications:
International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) 2026
Plants underpin food, livelihoods and ecosystems, yet about 40 percent of crops are lost annually to pests and diseases. By applying biosecurity measures and international phytosanitary standards, especially at borders, we can protect plant health and support better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. Here are some of the latest publications from FAO and the IPPC to provide more information.
.png?sfvrsn=44bf632d_1 "digital-badges (1)") | IPPC Plant Health CampusThis global, multilingual learning hub offers free e-learning courses, guides and technical information on plant health. It aims to empower phytosanitary officers, phytosanitary capacity evaluation facilitators, plant health stakeholders, and students to enhance their knowledge and skills to protect plant resources from pests. Latest courses include: Emergency preparedness for plant pest outbreaks; Pest emergency simulation: prevent, prepare, respond; Achieving market access for plants and plant products and Wood packaging material in international trade |
Field survey protocolsDeveloped under the IPPC’s Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP), these field survey protocols guide monitoring, detection, sample collection, and diagnostics of high-priority pests such as Xylella fastidiosa, Bactrocera species (fruit flies), Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm) and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red palm weevil), which affect major food and income crops. |
Phytosanitary systems and agricultural development: modelling the impact of phytosanitary capacity evaluations in AfricaDeveloped under the IPPC’s Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP), these field survey protocols guide monitoring, detection, sample collection, and diagnostics of high-priority pests such as Xylella fastidiosa, Bactrocera species (fruit flies), Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm) and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red palm weevil), which affect major food and income crops. |
Assessing and advancing phytosanitary capabilities in targeted countries in eastern and southern Africa: a pathway to resilient agricultureThis study assesses phytosanitary capacities in eleven countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regional economic community. It highlights countries’ operational priorities, phytosanitary gaps and challenges and possible solutions to address them. |
Guidance on how to integrate gender and youth in phytosanitary capacity evaluationsThis guide provides practical recommendations for integrating gender and youth considerations into the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) process and addressing gender- and age-related inequalities, to strengthen national plant health systems and facilitate safe and fair participation in global trade. |
Guidance on integrated pest management for the world’s major crop pests and diseasesThis volume compiles integrated pest management (IPM) solutions for eight global priority pests, offering a tailored, crop-specific “bundle” of IPM solutions for principal pests threatening cereals, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. It combines traditional agronomic practices with advanced technologies. |
The International FAO Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring (InFARM) SystemThis publication aims to support countries to use the new questionnaire on antimicrobial use in plants, for reporting to InFARM- an FAO flagship initiative providing tools, capacity building activities and a digital platform for collecting, visualizing and making use of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) data in animals and food. By expanding its scope to plant health for the first time, it recognizes the importance of the One Health approach. |
Identification of highly hazardous pesticides in selected countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the PacificThis publication examines the use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in selected African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, to support risk reduction and safer pesticide management. The study identifies HHPs present in participating countries and presents a generic methodology for HHP identification based on FAO and WHO guidelines, contributing to the transition toward environmentally sustainable and biodiversity‑friendly agricultural systems. |
Bonnes pratiques pour une gestion durable de la biodiversité dans l'agriculture en Afrique de l'OuestCe document présente de bonnes pratiques en matière de biodiversité et d’agriculture mises en œuvre par des organisations de producteurs au Burkina Faso, au Mali, au Niger et au Sénégal. Il vise à renforcer les capacités des agriculteurs et des organisations paysannes pour promouvoir une agriculture durable, résiliente au changement climatique, et fondée sur une gestion rationnelle de la biodiversité et des intrants agrochimiques. |
Resource mobilization for IPPC’s core work areas
Investing in plant health: better lives for allThis brochure summarizes the IPPC’s development priorities such as harmonization of electronic data exchange and developing commodity-specific plant health standards, and appeals for investment. |
Establishing global phytosanitary research coordinationThis brochure discusses setting up, implementing and financing a global phytosanitary research coordination mechanism to streamline identification of common phytosanitary research priorities. |
Establishing a diagnostic laboratory networkThis brochure emphasizes the need for a diagnostic laboratory network to improve pest identification and diagnosis, strengthen the skills of phytosanitary officers and enable faster pest outbreak responses. |
Supporting market access through commodity-specific plant health standardsThe IPPC seeks investment to strengthen market access by developing International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) for trade in specific crop commodities. |
Making trade safe by harmonizing electronic data exchangeThis brochure highlights the IPPC ePhyto Solution, an online system that digitizes the process of producing, issuing and exchanging electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhytos), thus simplifying international trade by expediting the clearance of pest-free plants and plant products. |
Assessing and managing climate-change impacts on plant healthClimate change affects pest life cycles and reduces plants’ resilience to pests, impacting crop production and trade. This brochure aims to raise awareness about climate change impacts on plant health and urges resources mobilization to evaluate and manage associated risks. |
Guidance on the use of third-party entitiesThis brochure appeals for investment in the IPPC's work of developing guidelines authorizing third-party entities to undertake phytosanitary actions on behalf of national plant protection organizations. |