By Prossy Nandudu
Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) have kicked off a three-day meeting aimed at promoting the uptake and use of biological control measures in the management of pests and diseases in the East African region.
The meeting that kicked off on Tuesday, June 27, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, has attracted participants from the region and global experts in biological control.
According to FAO, crop loss due to pests is on the rise, which calls for innovating other measures instead of relying on pesticides alone.
Besides, continuous use of pests affects the environment by contaminating water sources, affecting living organisms in the soil and is also costly for farmers.
“The use of biological control agents is by far the most ecosystem-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective method of pest management” according to a statement from FAO.
