University of Florence students gain insights into FAO’s global fight against transboundary plant pests and diseases

Rome — Over 30 postgraduate students from the University of Florence's Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Forestry visited Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters to deepen their understanding of FAO’s global work to protect and secure sustainable food systems. The visit was aimed at inspiring and educating the next generation of agricultural leaders.

The students were introduced to the mission and work of FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division, which underpins much of the Organization’s efforts in sustainable agriculture. This included a series of thematic sessions led by FAO experts, showcasing the diverse work the Division carries out across the world.

The threats of transboundary plant pests and diseases

The students were first introduced to the critical challenges posed by transboundary plant pests and diseases (TPPDs), which cross borders, threatening agriculture, food security and the livelihoods of millions.

The presentation by Shoki Al-Dobai, Senior Agricultural Officer and Team Leader of the Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases team, highlighted real-world examples and demonstrated the scale of these threats. He explained, for instance, how a single swarm of desert locusts can devour enough food in one day to feed 35 000 people. The students also learned about the dangers of Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a fungal disease jeopardizing global banana production and the livelihoods of an estimated 400 million people. These scenarios underscored the urgent need for effective strategies to address such crises.

FAO’s approach to managing TPPDs

During the visit, the students had the opportunity to learn about FAO’s innovative tools and strategies for managing these threats. Cutting-edge technologies like the

“Acting early is crucial to minimizing the impact of these pests and diseases,” Al-Dobai explained. He also shared a success story from 2020–2022, when FAO’s efforts to combat a desert locust upsurge in the Greater Horn of Africa and Yemen protected the food security of 41.5 million people.

FAO’s work on pesticide management, plant health standards and chemical safety

Building on the previous session, Gu Baogen, Senior Agricultural Officer and Team Leader of the Pest and Pesticide Management team, gave an overview of the Organization’s work in this area. Students discovered strategies to balance pest control with environmental safety and learned about the importance of integrated pest management practice.

International cooperation mechanisms were explored through a session on the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) by Arop Deng, Agricultural Officer. The participants got insights into how the IPPC fosters global collaboration and develops international plant health standards to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases.

Following this, Christine Fuell, Senior Technical Officer and Executive Secretary of the Rotterdam Convention, discussed the prior informed consent procedure for hazardous chemicals and pesticides in international trade. The students were then asked to take part in the interactive “Next Exit: Chemical Safety” game, which gave them an understanding of the practical implications of chemical safety and regulatory compliance.

Inspiring future leaders in agriculture

The presentations deeply resonated with the students, emphasizing the importance of merging international cooperation, technology and science to address these global challenges.

As the students left FAO headquarters, they carried with them a wealth of knowledge and a renewed commitment to making a difference. This visit further underscored FAO’s dedication to engaging young leaders in agriculture to build a more sustainable and food-secure world. Ends