Nature-based solutions: Enhancing crop resilience and food safety through agrobiologicals

The imperative to support an increasing global population on limited and often degraded land necessitates a fundamental rethinking of agricultural and food systems. To achieve a transition that balances production with environmental sustainability, the development of new ideas and tools is vital. Agrobiologicals, nature-based products including biostimulants, biopesticides, and biofertilizers, have emerged as essential alternatives to conventional agrochemicals. While the market for these solutions is experiencing rapid and consistent growth, significant gaps in adoption and systematic testing remain in various regions, particularly across the African continent.

This seminar explores how the AgBio4SSA and inSALSA projects address these challenges through the "Living Labs" model, a co-creation framework that brings together diverse stakeholders to validate biological tools in real-world conditions. Complementing these initiatives, this session also examines the use of plant extracts as dual-action agents to improve plant health and manage pathogens. By investigating the antimicrobial potential of these botanical derivatives, it is possible to develop environmentally friendlier fungicides to prevent fungal infestation and mycotoxin contamination, particularly in critical grain storage systems. The session will highlight how evidence-based research and capacity building can transform agrobiologicals into accessible tools for resilient food systems and long-term food security.

About the speaker: Prof. Quenton Kritzinger is an NRF-rated Associate Professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria. His work integrates mycology, seed pathology, and medicinal plant sciences, focusing on mycotoxin-producing fungi and their impact on orphan crops like cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). He specializes in the development of botanical fungicides from indigenous South African plants, aiming to provide sustainable, nature-based alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals. His work is dedicated to enhancing food security and safety for smallholder farmers and rural communities across Africa.

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