Dudutech

We were honoured to host over 300 farmers from around Africa for the False Codling Moth Systems Approach to FCM Management Webinar, held online on 4 October 2024. In the true spirit of cultivating bioalliances, John Ogechah, Head of Training at Bioline AgroSciences Africa, joined forces with River Bioscience and KEPHIS to help farmers inform the way they tackle False Codling Moth in their crops.

Details:

When it comes to False Codling Moth (FCM), interception equals rejection. Farmers can be highly adversely affected when FCM is detected on their produce, sometimes facing significant cost and with major production implications. Although the adults are moths, FCM larvae do most of the damage to crops.

FCM is a quarantine pest for exports of farm produce into Europe, China, US and South America. This FCM caterpillars feed on over 80 plant species important to Africa’s agriculture. According to Innovate UK, FCM control costs in excess of USD40 million, affecting a few of Kenya’s key export crops such as roses and avocados. They estimate that Kenyan port interception and rejection from FCM total to around USD55 million.

An intelligent approach is needed to confidently manage FCM and avoid facing rejection.

Gain Expert Knowledge:

1. Understanding FCM: Overview of FCM’s identification, taxonomy, biology, and behavior within agroecosystems, emphasizing its impact as a pest.
2. Integrated FCM Management System: Focus on education, monitoring strategies, preharvest and postharvest controls, including biocontrols, sanitation, and insecticides.
3. FCM as a Phytosanitary Pest: Analysis of current regulatory trends and future implications from a regulator’s perspective.

We have partnered with industry leaders and drivers to help growers gain insights into this destructive crop pest. Join Bioline Academy (Kenya), KEPHIS (Kenya) and River Bioscience (South Africa) and their speakers for in depth presentations on FCM.

Webinar Session Recording:

Resources:

Presenters:

John Ogechah Head of Training, Bioline AgroSciences Africa	Dr Megan Mulcahy PhD Head of Product Development and Innovation	Dr Mary Mwari Guantai Entomologist, KEPHIS
John completed his Masters in Phil, Entomology from the University of Ghana. In 2005 he joined Dudutech as an Entomologist and proceeded to develop the training business unit of Dudutech, later working with the commercial department as the product manager and export manager. John now heads up Dudutech Academy, our training arm which works closely with our customers and teams.	Dr Mulcahy took her background in entomology and is applying it to the world of Biocontrols through her work on IPM systems for various lepidopteran pests. Dr Mulcahy is currently the Head of Product Development and Innovation at River Bioscience, SA-based manufacturers of a range of innovative biological solutions for the management of moth and caterpillar pests, among others. She grew up on a sugarcane farm in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her love of agriculture and the outdoors led her to study Botany and Entomology at Rhodes University. After she completed her MSc in Entomology she went on to graduate with her PhD. from Louisiana State University.	Dr Guantai is an entomologist passionate about pests and pollination management. She has extensive knowledge on crop pests and pollinators and is currently engaged in projects aimed at their management. She works with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) based at PIU-JKIA. Previously she worked as a research scientist at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). She steadfastly believes that IPM is the way to go for pest management and assurance of food security for our country.