[Sammy Omingo,Standard]To control the aggressive pests and diseases that have emerged in the wake of climate change and global warming, there is a need to relook at the current pest and management strategies. In a past presentation, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) Principal Scientist, Entomology HC Sharma said the major fallouts of climate change, namely increased temperatures and ultraviolet radiation, and low relative humidity may render many established pest control strategies less effective. According to International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre climate change is driving the spread of pests and diseases across continents. The centre points out that climate change can affect the population size, survival rate and geographical distribution of pests; and the intensity, development and geographical distribution of diseases. As climate change hits harder, pests are also changing their behaviour patterns to cope.

Source: Standard Digital May 30, 2021 08:15 UTC