Knowledge reaching people on the ground: two CABI projects that show how science communication can change rural lives
In the field and in the lab, scientists are working hard to solve ongoing challenges in agriculture. This holistic approach means that solutions are built from a deep knowledge of the context and the challenges of food production. SAN’s network members are deeply connected to the problems farmers are facing, and thus, a thorough response can be designed to reach people effectively.
CABI, a SAN member since 2020, has mastered the ability to propel behavioral change. These two cases illustrate how connection-building and a strong contextual approach can help bring about change in geographies as different as Kenya and India.
Learning to use pesticides responsibly
Pesticide safety goes far beyond dosages. Common errors include spraying the wrong product due to misdiagnosis, improper storage, using no or unsuitable personal protective equipment, spraying under the wrong weather conditions, or not waiting for the recommended pre-harvest intervals to ensure the pesticide residues won’t reach consumers. There are too many factors that can make pesticide use go wrong.
In Kenya, one way in which CABI has responded to such knowledge gaps was the Ukulima True Social and Behavior Change Initiative, launched in 2023 under their PlantwisePlus program, and in coordination with the Centre for Behaviour Change and Communication (CBCC), the Department of Agriculture, Nakuru County and other partners. Their key messaging focused on practical behaviors that would help farmers reduce pesticide risk while maintaining crop productivity.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was the primary behavior-change framework for reducing pesticide risks. As part of this, farmers were educated about protecting themselves, their families and the environment by using personal protection equipment, spray calibration and consultations with trained spray service providers, amongst other techniques.
“While many farmers were already practicing these measures, the campaign helped them recognize their importance as deliberate components of IPM. In particular, farmers gained a better understanding of how regular scouting and monitoring of pest populations can inform management decisions, including determining when spraying is necessary", explained Geoffrey Rugaita, Social Behavior Change Communications Lead - Africa.
Ukulima True was also successful because of the strategic use of varied communication channels. Peer-to-peer training sessions led by trusted community members, radio interviews and dramas, instructional videos and print materials disseminated in local shops and meetings were key to getting the message to as many people as possible.
Beyond pesticide safety: leveraging IPM to best respond to a rising pest
After successive outbreaks of Thrips parvispinus, commonly known as chili black thrips, hit the Indian chili sector in 2015 and 2021, CABI partnered with regional actors (M S Swaminathan Research Foundation in Tamil Nadu, the Institute of Agricultural Technologists in Karnataka, and EFFORT, in Andhra Pradesh) to provide the IPM tools that can prevent their spread and help control ongoing infection.
The campaign used mass media to create awareness about the chili thrips and preventive care. Instrumental to its success were also CABI’s digital tools: the CABI BioProtection Portal (providing information on locally available biopesticides), the Crop Sprayer App (a practical tool for more precise application of synthetic or bio pesticides), the PlantwisePlus Knowledge Bank and its companion app, PlantwisePlus Factsheets, which allow farmers to access factsheets for common pests in their area and improve their skills for visual identification and decision making.
“The information obtained through these digital tools was practical, locally relevant, and easily accessible. Furthermore, they helped farmers adopt better IPM practices and make effective decisions related to pest management”, explains Manikandan, who participated as Technical Advisor at the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
Through the publication of PlantwisePlus’ Pest Management Decision Guide (PMDG) and in-person training with partners in the three states, CABI led efforts for the better identification and treatment of the chili black thrips. The translation of the publication into regional languages was a key part of the diffusion effort.
“When I came to know the CABI protection program, I was able to easily access information about registered biological pesticides and other crop protection products”, explains Bhupesh Patil, an agricultural input dealer from Nandarkheda in Nandurbar district, Maharashtra. “This helped me quickly identify the right products and the right suppliers. As a result, I was able to provide farmers with more accurate and reliable guidance.”
One such farmer is B. Raghuram Reddy, who has used CABI’s digital tools to learn about various pests affecting chili crops and the preventive measures that should be taken in advance:
“Using this information, I have started making better and more informed decisions regarding pest management. We have also shared this knowledge with others.”
Stories like CABI’s are a reminder of why SAN’s mission is grounded in our existence as a network. It is the reach of powerful community-centered organizations that help us grow and thrive around the world: building connections, disseminating science and exchanging knowledge.
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