Governments around the world are committing to more sustainable agriculture systems that protect environmental and human health, reduce reliance on hazardous pesticides, and support resilient food production. Yet translating these commitments into consistent, day‑to‑day decisions on farms remains a major challenge.
Digital decision‑support tools play a crucial role in closing this gap. When designed around real user needs and embedded within advisory and regulatory systems, they help scale sustainable practices efficiently and credibly. The CABI BioProtection Portal supports governments’ sustainability ambitions by helping farmers and advisors to source and effectively incorporate biological products into their integrated pest management programmes, and businesses to identify market gaps and promote their products to a wider audience.
Why digital tools matter for sustainable agriculture
Public extension systems are under increasing pressure. In many countries, the ratio of extension officers to farmers is too low to support timely, contextualized advice, while pest pressures and climate risks continue to grow.
Research done by CABI’s flagship food security programme, PlantwisePlus, highlights that digital tools can significantly extend the reach of advisory systems by delivering trusted, science based information directly to those who need it, when they need it. They also address gendered barriers to accessing extension advice, reducing the travel, time and social barriers often faced by women seeking extension advice.
However, for digital tools to support sustainability objectives, they must do more than provide generic guidance. They must align with national regulations, promote lower risk alternatives, and support informed decision making in real farming contexts.
How the CABI BioProtection Portal supports biocontrol adoption
- The Portal provides users with access to:
- A searchable database of registered biocontrol and biopesticide products, by country
- Pest–crop matching to support appropriate product selection
- Practical guidance and success stories to help users confidently apply biological options
- Access in multiple languages to improve usability and reach
- By focusing on nationally verified products, the Portal supports sustainable agriculture in a way that complements national regulatory and policy frameworks. By curating the data, it paves the way to regional harmonization.
Translating sustainability policies into farm level practice
Government sustainability strategies depend on successfully changing behaviours amongst farmers, advisors, agro dealers, and input suppliers. Success stories from the Portal show how digital decision support helps achieve this at scale.
Supporting farmers to adopt biocontrol with confidence
In Chile, cherry farmer Asdrubal Rodríguez uses the CABI BioProtection Portal to identify suitable biopesticides registered for use in his crop. By transitioning away from conventional chemical pesticides, he has improved crop health and quality while reducing environmental and worker health risks, demonstrating how informed decision‑making supports sustainable production without sacrificing yields.
Similarly, in India, farmers supported by the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) adopted bioprotection approaches after being introduced to the Portal as part of a digital advisory awareness programme. Access to clear, locally relevant information enabled farmers to reduce input costs while improving crop quality and productivity.
Strengthening advisory networks and local delivery systems
Digital tools are most effective when embedded within trusted advisory relationships. The Portal is widely used by advisors, plant doctors, and agro‑input dealers as a reference point for sustainable crop protection decisions.
In Uganda, agro‑input dealer and certified plant doctor Anthony Ssenyonga uses the Portal to guide farmers away from high‑risk pesticides and towards biopesticides and other low‑risk alternatives. By referencing verified information from the Portal, he has helped farmers improve yields while adopting safer, more sustainable pest management practices.
PlantwisePlus digital development insights reinforce that such tools work best when they support, rather than replace, face-to-face advisory systems, improving consistency and trust in the advice provided.
Enabling market oriented sustainability at scale
For governments seeking to scale sustainable agriculture, digital tools offer a practical solution that can help:
- Support the adoption of biocontrol and low‑risk pest management
- Align farm‑level decisions with national regulations
- Strengthen advisory systems without adding institutional burden
- Translate sustainability commitments into measurable action
By integrating digital tools into extension services, training initiatives, and sustainability strategies, governments can accelerate the transition towards safer, more resilient agricultural systems.
Learn more
- Explore real world examples on the CABI BioProtection Portal Success Stories page
- Discover how digital tools support sustainable agriculture through the PlantwisePlus Digital Development blog
