Year of publication 2024

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Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

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Pages 2

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Publisher FAO ;

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Product type Project

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Synopsis (short abstract) Fall armyworm (FAW) is an insect pest that feeds on maize and more than 80 other crops. As the pest is able to feed on various kinds of food, it is likely to continue to feed on important crops and spread, threatening the cereal production systems, as well as the food security, food safety and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people. Unlike quarantine pests under official control or insects with gregarious behaviour, FAW does not lend itself to official, centralized control. Another major problem associated with FAW infestation is the increased use of hazardous pesticides, which some erroneously think are an immediate, available solution for farmers; however, they are not effective and indeed are harmful to humans, animals, aquatic life and environmental health. The pest cannot be eradicated but it can be controlled through an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. The objective of this project was to support the coordination of the FAW response in Africa, the Near East, Asia and the Pacific to enable farmers to sustainably manage FAW.

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Language English

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Also available in:

• French

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