IPM Innovation Lab featured in United Nations publication
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Integrated Pest Management has been featured in “Good Practices in South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” a publication out of the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
The publication, now in its third volume, highlights cooperation among developing countries within the Global South, sharing knowledge, skills, and successful programs in areas such as agricultural development and climate change. This particular volume spotlights efforts made towards attaining the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
One of the IPM Innovation Lab’s initiatives featured in the publication is promotion of Trichoderma, a naturally occurring fungus that helps boost plant defense mechanisms against threats. The IPM Innovation Lab has catalyzed its use around the world by conducting numerous awareness workshops on the fungus, the results of which include stimulated sales of the product, improved crop yields, and the development of plant nurseries in Asia,which has helped boost job opportunities for women.
Another IPM Innovation Lab initiative highlighted in the publication is knowledge facilitation between India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In South Asia, where access to IPM products such as pheromone traps and biopesticides are limited, farmers increasingly rely on excessive pesticide application and battle pest and disease issues. Thus, the IPM Innovation Lab arranged for entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and Nepal to visit India to develop contacts and observe the productivity of IPM products developed by different companies – some of the outcomes of the meeting include increased awareness on IPM products in more than 153,000 households in Nepal and 20 awareness workshops on the tomato pest Tuta absoluta, bringing together participants from 50 different countries.
Both of the IPM Innovation Lab’s initiatives showcased in the publication aim to address Sustainable Development Goal 2, or “Zero Hunger.”