OPENING CEREMONY
From February 4 to 5, 2025, Abidjan became the epicenter of a crucial meeting on plant health with the official launch of the Plant Health Convening, themed: “Building Synergies to Strengthen Plant Health in a One Health World”
Organized by the WAVE Regional Center of Excellence, in collaboration with CABI, and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the convening brought together leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and strategic partners committed to protecting plant health and ensuring food security in Africa.
The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Ballo ZIÉ, President of the University Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who underscored the critical role of plant health in food security, noting that it is often overlooked despite being essential to agricultural productivity and sustainable development. I n his remarks, he congratulated WAVE for its contributions and achievements in plant health research and advocacy.
Prof. Justin S. PITA, Executive Director of the WAVE Regional Center of Excellence, highlighted the efforts of this program in plant health research and capacity building across Africa. Expressing gratitude to governments and partners, he stressed the urgency of collaboration to tackle plant health challenges.
The convening was officially opened by Prof. Arsène TOKA KOBEA, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who emphasized the need for stronger partnerships among researchers, academic institutions, and plant health professionals.
KEYNOTES AND INSTITUTIONS’ PRESENTATIONS
To set the tone for the discussions, the opening ceremony of the Plant Health Convening was followed by keynote speeches from four institutions:
Dr. Adriana G. MOREIRA from IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) gave a presentation on« Plant health in a One Health world » and underscores the urgent need for a cross-sectoral approach to plantDr. Adriana G. MOREIRA from IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention) gave a presentation on « Plant health in a One Health world » and underscores the urgent need for a cross-sectoral approach to plant health, ensuring food security and economic stability.
Dr. Saliou NIASSY of the AU-IAPSC (African Union – Inter-African Phytosanitary Council took an in depth look at the strengthening of phytosanitary health systems and highlighted key initiatives such as ePhyto (digital certification), Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluations (PCE) and the African Phytosanitary Programme (APP), which aim to boost Africa’s phytosanitary frameworks and stimulate agricultural trade while protecting biodiversity.
Dr. Sylvain OUEDRAOGO from CILSS (Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel) gave a presentation on strengthening plant health in West Africa and the Sahel. He stressed the need to increase regional phytosanitary surveillance, pest control and seed quality certification to improve food security and agricultural resilience.
CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International), through Dr. Victor CLOTTEY, made a strong plea for the optimisation of data-based approaches, biocontrol methods and farmer training to strengthen Africa’s phytosanitary systems and combat agricultural pests.
One of the major plant health challenges to be underlined by these keynote speeches is the need for a collective response at regional level. Faced with climate change, food insecurity and plant diseases, no single institution can meet these challenges alone.
This Plant Health Convening provided a platform for key institutions to showcase their activities and specify their roles in plant health management across Africa.
- WAVE is identifying and mapping plant diseases, setting up early warning systems, and strengthening countries’ preparedness to respond to the incursion of exotic plant pathogens.
- CORAF coordinates regional research and risk management.
- CILSS focuses on governance, early warning systems, and policy harmonization.
- CABI focuses on governance, early warning systems, and policy harmonization.
- AWARD focuses on governance, early warning systems, and policy harmonization.
- ILRI applies cutting-edge bioscience solutions.
- ICIPE leads nature-based pest control strategies.
- IITA addresses hunger, poverty, and natural resource degradation.
- CIFOR-ICRAF focuses on sustainable land management, forestry, and agroforestry.
- AFRICA RICE is dedicated to improving rice production and food security.
- The N.A.R.S ensures that scientific innovations reach local communities.
Together, these institutions form a strong network working towards sustainable, resilient agriculture and food security in Africa.
WAVE LABORATORIES VISIT
Building on these discussions, the convening led to an exclusive visit to the WAVE Regional Center of Excellence’s research laboratories, where scientists showcased groundbreaking innovations in plant health and disease control. Participants had an immersive experience in the four laboratories of WAVE Côte d’Ivoire:
Valorization of Symbiotic Microorganisms Laboratory
Key Research Activities :
- Conducting field surveys and sample collection to analyze symbiotic micro organisms beneficial to plant health.
- Sample analysis and characterization of microbial strains for agricultural applications.
- Testing of microbial strains for potential biofertilizer development.
- Capacity-building and training programs for scientists, agronomists, and students.
- Development of biofertilizers using beneficial microorganisms to improve soil health and plant growth.
Virology Laboratory
Key Research Activities :
- Field Surveys: Conducting visual assessments of disease symptoms and severity in crops. Sample collection from infected plants for laboratory analysis.
- Diagnostic Techniques: PCR/qPCR for pathogen detection. ELISA for virus detection. Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing (under development) for advanced genetic analysis of pathogens.
- Insect Pest Identification: Special focus on cassava whiteflies, known for their role in disease transmission.
- Training Programs: Hands-on training in molecular biology techniques, including: Nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) extraction. PCR and RT-PCR techniques. Primer design for pathogen detection. Analysis of Sanger sequencing results.
Plant Tissue Culture and Propagation Laboratory
Key Research Activities :
- Plant sanitation: Cleaning plant materials to eliminate pathogens before propagation.
- In vitro plant conservation: Preserving plant germplasm in sterile conditions for long-term use.
- Mass production of plants through vitroplant technology, ensuring high- quality, disease-free planting materials.
Services Provided :
- Detection of plant pathogens using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for accurate pathogen quantification.
- Routine disease detection using ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) for plant health diagnostics.
- Plantation sampling for pathogen identification and monitoring.
- Pathogen and insect identification by sequencing, enabling precise species classification.
- Health inspection of farms to evaluate plant health and detect possible disease outbreaks.
- Training and capacity building for students, technicians, and researchers in plant health management techniques.
Products Developed :
- High-quality healthy planting material to support disease-free agricultural production.
- High-performance biofertilizers to enhance soil health and crop productivity.
The second day of the convening began with the presentation of questionnaire findings. Professor Angela Eni, Deputy Executive Director of WAVE, presented key findings from a survey sent to participants, mapping plant health competencies, capacities, and infrastructure across West and Central Africa. She emphasized that the success of the alliance depends on collective action and integrated approaches, as isolated solutions often fail to address cross-border plant health threats.
The next activity was the Breakout Sessions, where participants were split into four groups to discuss and brainstorm three key thematic areas:
- Mapping plant health competencies, capacities, and infrastructure across West and Central Afric
- Reviewing plant health priorities and main activities in West and Central Africa
- Developing strategic pathways for inclusive engagement among key plant health practitioners in Africa
Following the breakout sessions, the wrap-up discussion focused on establishing a structured, functional, and sustainable alliance to address plant health challenges across the region. The ultimate goal was to establish an impactful alliance that drives collaboration, advocacy, and action-driven policies to improve plant health in West and Central Africa.
Speaking from a donor perspective, Mr. Duncan Barker, Food and Agriculture Adviser at FCDO, provided key recommendations for strengthening plant health systems, including
- Prioritization
- Interdisciplinary Inclusion
- Quick Wins
- Accelerated Innovation and Delivery to ensure that research findings reach farmers effectively.
A key highlight of the convening was the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between:
- WAVE and the CILS
- WAVE and AWARD Fellowships
This reinforced their joint commitment to strengthening plant health initiatives.
The Plant Health Convening was more than just an event, it marked the launch of a movement. A movement laying the groundwork for the West and Central Africa Alliance for Plant Health.
The session concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to continue working together toward a resilient and impactful alliance dedicated to building a more effective and sustainable plant health system in West and Central Africa.