Protecting Palms, Livelihoods, and the Environment
The Global Fight Against Red Palm Weevil (RPW)
The Problem: Why Red Palm Weevil is a Global Threat
The fight against Red Palm Weevil requires science-driven solutions, strong partnerships, and actionable strategies. ICARDA is committed to translating research into action, helping farmers, policymakers, and communities safeguard their livelihoods and protect vital ecosystems.
Aly Abousabaa
Director General, ICARDA & Regional Director, Central and West Asia and North Africa, CGIAR
The UAE has taken concrete steps to turn pledges and investments into action. This groundbreaking work is a testament to the UAE’s commitment and global leadership on food security, agricultural innovation, and giving small-scale farmers impactful tools to make correct decisions.
Mariam Almheiri
Chair of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court, UAE
Even without climate change, agriculture represents a vast investment opportunity, especially when addressing issues like low income and malnutrition. But with climate change compounding these challenges, it’s critical that we set clear goals and invest wisely in agriculture. We are committed to supporting partnerships that help countries tackle these pressing issues and make the right investments to support farmers worldwide.
Bill Gates
Co-founder, Microsoft & Founder, Gates Foundation
Our Solution:The C4RPWC Approach
ICARDA’s dual role as the consortium coordinator and the lead for scaling and socioeconomics is crucial for bridging scientific innovation with real-world implementation.
ICARDA’s dual role as the consortium coordinator and the lead for scaling and socioeconomics is crucial for bridging scientific innovation with real-world implementation.
Co-leads and supporting partners act as collaborators contributing complementary skills, infrastructure, and regional insights.
Private sector involvement will ensure that technology providers contribute to practical and scalable solutions.
UAE
ICBA, ADAFSA, MOCCAE, KIADPAI, Municipalities, UAEU, NYU, ATRC-TII, Silal
Regional
ICARDA, icipe, KAUST, IITA, Palmear, Real IPM, ICRISAT, UM6P, ICAR, ARC Egypt
Regional
ICARDA, icipe, KAUST, IITA, Palmear, Real IPM, ICRISAT, UM6P, ICAR, ARC Egypt
The Five Pillars of Action
The C4RPWC program integrates five research-for-innovation workstreams to develop and scale sustainable solutions.
Biobased Solutions
Lead: International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
Developing eco-friendly traps, biopesticides, and natural predators to reduce RPW populations.
Digital Innovations & Big Data
Lead: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Artificial Intelligence, remote sensing, and Internet of Things sensors for early detection and outbreak prevention.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
Lead: International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)
Strengthening palm health through better irrigation, certified seedlings, and pest-resistant crops.
Translating Research into Action
Lead: ICARDA
Ensuring real-world impact through scaling strategies, farmer adoption pathways, community engagement and citizen science, and economic and policy analysis for sustainable RPW management.
Potential Benefits to LMICs
- Improved readiness for dealing with invasive species
- Demonstrating how community engagement can facilitate pest management
- Reduced pesticide costs and improved agricultural productivity
- Improved readiness for scaling up of early detection and timely warning system
- Training, awareness program, and support to extension services
- Adaptable and adoptable user-friendly and inexpensive mobile app for early detection, monitoring, and early decision for action
- Strengthening invasive species policies
Meet the Partners
