Huye, Rwanda – September 24, 2025 – The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with the Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IPP-CAAS), jointly hosted the China-Africa Symposium on Sustainable Crop Pest Management in Huye district. The symposium runs from September 24 to 25, bringing together scientists from Rwanda, other African countries, and China, alongside policymakers, private sector representatives, academia, and farmer organizations, with a strong emphasis on youth and women participation.

The event was organized under the framework of the China-Rwanda Joint Laboratory for Crop Pest Sustainable Management, a project funded through the National Key R&D Program of China. The initiative seeks to strengthen research collaboration, promote innovation, and develop sustainable pest management strategies to address the growing challenges posed by soil-borne pests, invasive species, and emerging crop diseases.

Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General for Agriculture Development at RAB, underscored the importance of cooperation in tackling pest-related threats that undermine food security and farmer livelihoods. She noted that pests such as white grubs and the potato tuber moth are causing significant yield losses and highlighted the need for eco-friendly and integrated pest management approaches.

“This symposium provides an important platform to exchange knowledge, promote sustainable pest management practices, and build resilient agricultural systems,” Dr. Uwamahoro said.

Discussions at the symposium focus on research findings and innovative technologies for pest management, ecological and integrated approaches to reduce pesticide dependence, and opportunities for joint research and capacity building. Other key topics include biological control solutions, soil health improvement, digital innovations such as ICT and AI for pest monitoring, and policy frameworks to support sustainable agricultural practices.

The gathering is committed to strengthening networks among African and Chinese researchers, improving understanding of emerging pest threats, and creating frameworks for joint projects on pest monitoring, control, and soil health. The symposium also aims to provide policy guidance to inform government and regional strategies while raising awareness of environmentally friendly pest management solutions.

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