Tripartite collaboration highlights sustainable biological control to fight crop pests in China and South-East Asia

Date:01-30-2025

The power of tripartite collaboration has been highlighted at a workshop focused on sustainable biological control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to fight a range of major crop pests in China and South-East Asia, particularly Malaysia.

CABI, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), and the Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPPCAAS), took part in the event aimed at environmentally friendly and safer ways to manage fall armyworm, diamondback moth, rice lepidopteran and other pests.

The diamondback moth, for instance, is a major widespread pest of crucifers grown in the Cameron Highlands and lowland of Malaysia causing up to 90% yield losses in worst scenario. Globally, the pest of estimated to cost up to US$ 5 billion a year in damaged crops.

On behalf of Dr Asfaliza Binti Ramli, Deputy Director General (Research), MARDI, Dr Jeffrey Lim Seng Heng, Deputy Director, Agrobiodiversity and Environment Research Centre, MARDI, delivered an opening speech.

Dr Lim said, ″The workshop is a best platform to aid discussion, inspire, and spark new ideas in the development of technology and innovation. The synergy between organisations has not only led to fruitful outcomes but has also fostered a spirit of innovation and shared success.″

A field day of workshop participants to meet rice farmers and exchange IPM and biocontrol techniques at MARDI Tanjung Karang Field Station, Malaysia (Credit: MARDI).

Effectively use sustainable natural products within IPM programmes

The workshop included Dr Feng Zhang, CABI’s Regional Director, East & South-East Asia, who gave an outline of the benefits of the CABI BioProtection Portal, which is the largest, free global resource for biological pest management.

The CABI BioProtection Portal features a searchable directory of nationally registered biocontrol and biopesticide products alongside comprehensive information to help agricultural advisors and growers to source and effectively use sustainable natural products within IPM programmes.

Also at the workshop, Dr Sivapragasam Annamalai, former Regional Director for South-East Asia, CABI, gave a presentation regarding regulatory and commercial considerations around biopesticide use in Malaysia.

Dr Muhammad Faheem, Integrated Crop Management Advisor at CABI, spoke about baculoviruses as a foundational tool for IPM and Insect Resistance Management programmes.

Plant protection cooperation with Southeast Asian countries

As part of the workshop, Professor Jie Zhang, Deputy Director General, IPPCAAS, presented on the creation and utilization of biopesticides and Dr Fang Tian, Deputy Director, Division of Domestic and International Cooperation, IPPCAAS, spoke about plant protection cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.

Other presentations looked at the use of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technology for controlling blood disease in banana and the discovery and application of chitin-associated enzymes as targets for the control of plant pests and pathogens.

Back in 2023, CABI and MARDI pledged to work together to increase the latter’s capacity biocontrol, prevention and management of invasive species, the development of IPM solutions and the conservation, exploitation and utilization and exchange of biological resources.

The agreement was part of a wider commitment for both parties to work towards helping smallholder farmers reduce the use of chemical pesticides and instead adopt more safer-to-use and environmentally friendly bioprotection products to fight crop pests.

Strengthen the development of IPM solutions

Through the MARDI-CABI Joint Laboratory platform, which mirrors the one in China between CABI and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the plan is to increase the capacity of MARDI in biological control, strengthen the development of IPM solutions, and increase use of biocontrol products in the agro-ecosystem of Malaysia.

For example, with financial support from MARDI and technical support from CABI, a fully functional Trichogramma rearing facility has been already established through the Joint Laboratory platform in MARDI to support research and development of Trichogramma sp. against lepidopteran pests in paddy fields.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA)-CABI Joint Laboratory for Biosafety and the four subcentres of the Joint Lab are working on developing biological control agents as part of an IPM approach to sustainable agriculture in China and other parts of the world through technology transfer and knowledge sharing.

New biological control solutions have been developed for green mirid bugs (Apolygus lucorum), brown marmorated stink bug (Holomorphic halys), spotted lanternfly (Yoram delicatula), yellow-spined bamboo locust (Cercis kiangsu), maize lethal necrosis disease and wheat aphid (Digraph’s noxia).

Importance of tripartite partnership working

The CABI/MARA collaboration also includes working with colleagues from CABI’s Swiss Centre in Delémont where the European Lab is based and research carried out into the biological control of invasive weeds and the fall armyworm.

Dr Feng Zhang said, ″CABI has play a bridge role in fostering cooperation and collaboration among its’ Member Countries. The workshop was an example of the importance of tripartite partnership working sharing the very latest knowledge and expertise on Integrated Pest Management with a specific focus on sustainable biological control methods.

″It also served as a prelude to the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation Meeting, which will take place in Malaysia in February, and involves working with Member Countries, including Malaysia and China, to finalize CABI’s new Medium-Term Strategy.″