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Climate change-induced invasive crop pests remain a major "bottleneck" to agricultural productivity and food security in South Sudan, according to new CABI-led research published in the journal .

CABI scientists and colleagues from the University of Juba, Q&A Management Consulting, and Afridev Economic Consulting Limited, say strengthening South Sudan's plant health system has the potential to contribute to reducing crop losses caused by pests such as the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

The researchers, led by those from CABI's regional center for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, conducted a situational analysis to assess the current state and effectiveness of plant health functions in South Sudan

Gap in government-led initiatives

They found, after collecting data from 960 smallholder farmers, that there was low access to plant health services, including advisory and extension, training, and information. There was also a high dependence on NGOs and UN agencies to provide plant health services, indicating a gap in government-led initiatives.

Fernadis Makale, one of the authors of the research and Scientist, Invasive Species Management at CABI, said, "The findings demonstrate a complex relationship between plant health services and on-farm practices and regional variations in access to plant health services and resources.

"They have crucial implications for the plant health system in South Sudan, requiring the need for service accessibility, government involvement in plant health systems, strengthening of the policy and regulatory frameworks, and inclusivity in service provision."

Among the world's climate change hotspots

South Sudan is among the world's climate change hotspots, with increasing frequency of extreme climatic events that impact plant health. A significant concern is the increasing emergence and incidence of crop pests that threaten the plant health and livelihoods of approximately 86% of rural households in South Sudan, which depend on agriculture.

Common pests include elegant grasshoppers (Zonocerus sp.), bollworms, cassava whiteflies, cutworms, African armyworms, stalk borers, and aphids.

The fall armyworm, a relatively new pest in South Sudan and Africa, is one of the invasive pests in South Sudan associated with climate change. Besides affecting maize, a predominant staple food crop in South Sudan, fall armyworm also damages sorghum, millet, vegetables, and other crops of economic importance.

Dr. Willis Ochilo, co-author of the research and Project Scientist, said, "While data on yield losses from adverse effects of climate change in South Sudan are scarce, 87% of the total population in the country suffers from moderate to severe food insecurity mainly caused by the overlapping effects of climate-induced shocks. These include insect pests, diseases, floods, and drought and political and social conflicts."

Strengthen the capacity of agricultural advisory systems

He said CABI's Plantwise program, which this study was conducted as part of, is a global plant health system initiative—partnered with several stakeholders in South Sudan—to strengthen the capacity of agricultural advisory systems to address plant health challenges and enable farmers to lose less of what they grow.

This year, for example, —one of the program's 27 core countries—to reach smallholder farmers and provide them with access to the knowledge and skills they need to improve their farming practices.

The program is doing this by boosting the country's plant health systems. It aims to help farmers predict, prevent and prepare for plant health threats in the face of a changing climate.

The work will help farmers to reduce their crop losses and gain better yields. Contributing to local, national and regional climate-focused efforts reaps benefits since building climate-resilient food systems safeguards future food production.

Dr. Ochilo said, "The findings have implications for service accessibility, government involvement in plant health systems, and inclusivity in service provision. Considering these implications, the study recommends strengthening public extension services to reduce reliance on external agencies and ensure more equitable and widespread access to plant health information and support services."

The scientists conclude that inclusivity in the provision of plant health services can be achieved by considering the varying socio-economic contexts during the design of plant health interventions and stakeholder engagement and collaborations to ensure that all farmers across counties have access to vital plant health services.