As part of its International Pest Horizon Scanning (IPHS) capability, CHAP has funded the distribution of 180 tablet devices to extension workers across five countries: Ghana, Nepal, Peru, Vietnam and Malawi. These extension workers, known as plant doctors, run plant clinics under the CABI-led Plantwise programme. Plant clinics provide essential extension services to local farmers who can bring along samples of their affected crop and receive a diagnosis as well as a recommendation for managing the problem. The plant doctor records each farmer’s visit using their tablet. The process is more accurate and efficient than the previous pen and paper record-keeping.

The IPHS capability is key to ensuring the supply of healthy crops for consumption in the growers’ own countries, and for importing nations such as the UK.

Here are five ways it is helping to tackle and mitigate pest problems:

The mobile technology and tools used in e-plant clinics not only help agricultural extension workers access more, but also more up-to-date information to support their services. This particularly benefits farmers who would not have had the means to access this information otherwise because of limitations in literacy, language or location. Using a range of online tools, such as the Plantwise knowledge bank, and mobile applications, such as the Plantwise Factsheet app, plant doctors can quickly and easily access a wealth of resources on the one device without needing to procure and carry around additional resources, such as textbooks. Factsheets – available in the plant doctor’s local language – provide information about crop pests and other disorders and make recommendations based on scientific evidence of efficacy. The text can be copied directly into the prescription form, and sent via SMS direct to the farmer.

The tablets have opened up a new way for organisations to support extension workers, who work remotely much of the time. The technology allows training and refresher courses to be delivered on demand, without the need for a physical meeting with a trainer. CABI has developed the PestSmart Diagnostic and Crop Management simulators as engaging, interactive tools that plant doctors can use to access training to support their roles at the plant clinics. In addition, the data collected at the clinics is monitored by national partners and validated to check for confidence in diagnoses and recommendations. Where crop problems are suspected to be being misdiagnosed, or a new pest has appeared, or recommendations are not as comprehensive as desired, appropriate training can be prioritised for the plant doctors by partners. This creates a feedback loop between the plant doctors and decision makers.

All images: Copyright CABI

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Please note, the opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of CHAP.