Africa Phytosanitary Programme Phase 2 Launches to Combat Crop Pest Threats

The Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), has launched the second phase of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme (APP)—a landmark initiative to strengthen plant health systems across the African continent. The launch event, held on Monday, 23 June 2025 in White River, Mpumalanga, signals an intensified regional effort to fight plant pest infestations that threaten food security, environmental integrity, and agricultural trade.

More than 50 phytosanitary experts and plant health officials from nine African countries—including Algeria, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Liberia, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia—have convened for a week-long Train-the-Trainer (ToT) workshop. These participants will be at the forefront of adopting and disseminating new technologies and protocols for pest detection and response, with the goal of creating a robust network of plant health champions across Africa.

Strengthening Plant Health Capacity Through Digital Innovation

Phase 2 of the Africa Phytosanitary Programme builds upon the success of its pilot phase launched in 2023, which initially trained specialists from 11 countries. The second phase introduces advanced pest surveillance techniques using state-of-the-art digital tools and mobile applications. Participants will receive tablet-based geospatial tools, undergo field-based training, and apply technical survey protocols designed by leading experts in plant biosecurity.

This hands-on, skills-based approach ensures that the trained participants can return to their home countries and train other officers, scaling up the impact within their respective National Plant Protection Organisations (NPPOs) and beyond.

According to Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General and IPPC Officer-in-Charge, the programme seeks to build a critical mass of plant health professionals who are well-equipped to detect, monitor, and respond to pest outbreaks that threaten the continent’s agriculture and ecosystems.

“We are building a critical mass of phytosanitary inspectors, technicians, and officers across Africa by equipping them with tools and skills to prevent and address plant pest threats that jeopardise food security, agricultural trade, economic growth, and the environment,” she said.

Strategic Support and International Funding

Phase 2 is supported by generous contributions from the European Union and the United Kingdom, with foundational funding for Phase 1 having come from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

This funding has enabled FAO and the IPPC to extend the programme to more countries and advance the use of customised, scalable pest surveillance technologies across varied agro-ecological zones.

FAO representatives at the launch expressed confidence that the APP will serve as a model for international cooperation in addressing transboundary pest threats, a challenge that has escalated due to global trade, climate change, and poor phytosanitary infrastructure in many developing countries.

South Africa’s Role and Vision for Africa’s Agricultural Future

Delivering remarks on behalf of Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, Jan Hendrik Venter, Director of Plant Health at the Department of Agriculture, emphasized that the continent’s agricultural promise can only be realised through robust phytosanitary systems.

“Africa stands at a turning point. With immense biodiversity, rising agricultural productivity, and growing opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we are well-positioned to become a global leader in the trade of high-quality plant products,” Venter stated.

“But this vision can only be achieved if we ensure that the movement of plants and plant products is safe, traceable, and fully compliant with international phytosanitary standards.”

He stressed that a trained network of plant health inspectors across Africa will be critical in maintaining pest-free or low-prevalence status, which is essential for accessing high-value export markets and protecting domestic food systems.

Addressing Africa’s Escalating Pest Crisis

The urgency of the APP initiative is underscored by the escalating threat of invasive pests on the continent. According to global statistics, plant pests destroy approximately 40% of crop yields annually, causing economic losses of more than USD 220 billion. In Africa, where agricultural systems are already vulnerable, these losses are intensified by climate change and inadequate pest monitoring.

Data from the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) indicates that the fall armyworm alone causes estimated losses of USD 9.4 billion annually across African farmlands. Other notable pests include fruit flies, maize lethal necrosis disease, false codling moth, citrus greening, and leaf miners—each posing significant challenges to food security and export compliance.

Scaling Up for Continental Impact

The African Union’s Plant Health Strategy for Africa identifies the lack of technical capability, equipment, and training as major constraints to effective phytosanitary governance. The APP aims to directly address these gaps by enhancing the digital readiness, data capacity, and institutional coordination of plant protection services.

The long-term vision of the programme is to support Africa in:

• Achieving sustainable agriculture;

• Meeting international trade requirements under the IPPC and WTO-SPS frameworks;

• Mitigating risks from climate-driven pest invasions;

• And contributing to regional food and environmental security.

Next Steps and Future Outlook

As Phase 2 unfolds, the Department of Agriculture and its international partners will closely monitor the progress of trained trainers, evaluate the integration of digital surveillance tools in NPPOs, and explore opportunities to expand the APP to more African countries.

With sustained investment and collaboration, the Africa Phytosanitary Programme has the potential to become a continental benchmark for biosecurity innovation, capacity building, and strategic pest management.