Partners, including scientists from CABI, the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin, Exotic Green Enterprises in Zambia, and Twiga Chemical Industries in Kenya, gathered to officially launch a new project to develop nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ms Elena Benedetti, Head of Fundraising and Technology Transfer, and Dr. Fernando Cantão, Project Assistant for Fundraising, Technology Transfer & Innovation, both from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), which is funding the project, joined the partners. The project is part of the wider B-INOC AFRICA initiative, supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Mattei Plan for Africa.
Through joint research, innovative pest management strategies, and soil fertility improvements, the collaboration aims to increase the use of nature-based solutions in agrifood systems and will focus on four products in Benin, Kenya, and Zambia. Currently, 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa depend on agriculture, which contributes an average of 25% of the gross domestic product. However, the region remains the most food-insecure in the world, with most inhabitants facing extreme poverty and malnourishment.
In Kenya, the biopesticide Xentari DF – whose active ingredient is Bacillus thuringiesis var. aizawai – will be promoted to manage lepidopteran pests in broccoli. Currently, it is registered to control pests in coffee, roses, and carnations.
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