In Africa, agriculture is the most important sector, which, according to World Bank (2015) data, employs 65 per cent of the continent’s labour force and accounts for 32 per cent of its gross domestic product. Although Africa’s agricultural performance has improved since 2000, growth is still slow, largely constrained by pests, parasitic weeds and poor soils, and decreasing land holdings.

The aim of the bwi plant health theme is to contribute towards improving agricultural production in Africa, with the overall goal of contributing to food security, human and environmental health, and to household and national economies.

bwi aims to protect agriculture-based economies of low- and middle-income countries in …