The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has expressed its commitment to support Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in tackling the threat of cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV). The viral disease continues to undermine cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) production across West Africa, the world’s most important cocoa-growing region. CSSV is an endemic pathogen that causes significant economic losses in the cocoa sector, which is a major source of income for millions of people in West Africa.

The farmer field schools (FFS) approach, adopted by women and young farmers in the Kabuchai sub-County, is helping to sharpen their skills and knowledge, enabling them to adopt more sustainable farming practices. The FAO–China South-South Cooperation (SSC) project on fall armyworm is implementing a hands-on learning model that is helping the farmers in the cultivation of maize, beans, vegetables, and sweet potatoes. 

Wheat blast has recently appeared in Bangladesh and Zambia, raising fears of further expansion in Asia and Africa. Originally only in South America, studies warn that countries with limited surveillance and biosecurity systems are particularly at risk, as early detection and containment remain challenging. If left unchecked, wheat blast can cause severe yield losses, sometimes wiping out entire fields under favourable conditions. Sustained and expanded collaboration and investment are more important for addressing the problem.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), has delivered essential farm inputs to maize farmers in Bungoma County participating in the field-based learning and demonstration trials under farmer field schools (FFS) approach.  Farmers are acquiring innovative skills for the management of fall armyworm (FAW).

Bishkek. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted a regional training course on the use and maintenance of ultra-low-volume (ULV) sprayers for locust control for ten locust and plant protection specialists from Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, from 24 to 26 February 2026. The theoretical sessions were also delivered online, enabling additional experts from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to participate remotely. The training was conducted with the financial support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Ultra-low-volume spraying technology is internationally recognized as  an effective method  for locust control. It allows for the application of  small quantities of pesticide typically one  litre per hectare without the need to  dilute the product in water. This  approach is particularly suitable in arid  and semi-arid areas, where access to water is limited.

The first drone pilot training programme aims to strengthen national and regional capacities in the application of unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, monitoring and control of desert locust populations. It marks a significant step forward in integrating advanced digital and precision agriculture technologies into locust management operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that a serious desert locust outbreak continues in Northwestern Africa, with the situation remaining critical in Mauritania. A third generation of breeding is expected to worsen conditions in January, with larger hopper bands likely to appear.

Locust activity increased from September through November in Mauritania, particularly following average and above average rains in October. Populations were increasing with numerous hopper groups and bands present in November, and new immature adult groups and small swarms appearing, some reaching Senegal.

The 34th Session of the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in South-West Asia (SWAC) wrapped up with strong commitments from member countries to enhance early warning systems, cross-border collaboration, and technology-driven surveillance to prevent future desert locust outbreaks.

The 34th Session of the FAO Commission for Controlling Desert Locusts in South-West Asia (9–12 December 2025) will define regional strategies to strengthen desert locust management, enhance collaboration, and promote the adoption of innovative technologies to protect livelihoods and food security across the region.  The session will be attended by the SWAC member countries: India, Iran, and Pakistan, as well as locust management experts from the FAO Office in Afghanistan.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the FAO–China South–South Cooperation project, successfully released biological control agents for Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Bungoma and Embu, Kenya. The egg-parasitic agents are key biological controls recommended for FAW management, helping to reduce maize yield losses while protecting human health and the environment.