CABI podcast

Women farmers make up around 43% of the agricultural labour force and produce over half of all food grown worldwide. Yet, when you picture a farmer, are they a woman? To mark International Women's Day we spoke to a panel of experts on the role biases and misconceptions play in preventing women farmers’ access to agricultural advisory services in different regions and cultural contexts around the world.

Toadflaxes are typically found on roadsides, grasslands and in crop fields. Whilst these weeds may look pretty and provide decorative appeal, they soon escape cultivation and can cause some serious problems.  

CABI experts Dr Hariet Hinz and Dr Ivo Tosevski discuss the biocontrol options they are researching to control this noxious weed and in particular, how the use of snout beetles can considerably reduce the vigour of these invasive plants.  

With its bright pink flowers and fairly common appearance, Himalayan balsam is frequently found along waterways or damp areas. It is also highly invasive, causing a variety of negative effects.

CABI scientists, Dr Sonal Varia and Kate Pollard, explain why this invasive plant is so prolific, and how biocontrol methods currently being researched in CABI’s Egham laboratory can make a difference when deployed to the field.

Fall armyworm has caused major damage by feeding on a vast range of plants across Africa, Asia and in to Australia.

CABI scientists Dr Roger Day and Dr Ivan Rwomushana discuss why it so successful, its impact on smallholder farmers and some of the biocontrol methods currently being researched at CABI centres.

Locusts and grasshoppers decimate crops in many parts of Africa and Asia, with locusts responsible for invading in swarms of millions – leaving behind ravaged fields and putting livelihoods and food security at severe risk.

CABI scientists Dr Belinda Luke and Dr Ivan Rwomushana discuss why this species is so harmful and how CABI is working to control desert locusts in a safe and sustainable way.