Friday, March 29, 2024

IITA Releases 10-Year Strategy for Managing Invasive Species in Africa

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Prevention, early detection and control make up the three-pronged approach that Africa is taking on to manage the menace of invasive species on the continent. As the climate continues to change, invasive species also continue to increase and spread globally. Countries cannot wave off a global challenge individually hence the need for a continent-wide strategy. This strategy was developed to respond to the invasive species challenge by linking conservation of biodiversity to human health. Its overall objective is to effectively guide and coordinate prevention and eradication actions at continental, regional and national levels.

to agriculture, trade, tourism and development. They disproportionately affect communities in poor rural areas; people who depend on natural resources and healthy ecosystems to make a living. For example, invasive insect pests and diseases can significantly affect agricultural productivity and production.

According to the strategy, the invasion of the fall armyworm in 12 African countries will cause an estimated annual yield loss of 4.1 to 17.7 million tons of maize crop alone. It is estimated that 480,000 invasive species have been introduced to different ecosystems globally. Read more…

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