A Joint UK-Kenya Phytoplasma Research Initiative

The Joint UK-Kenya Phytoplasma Research Initiative will provide a platform from which to mitigate the considerable damage caused by insect-vectored pathogens across Kenya and East Africa.

The initiative will bring together researchers, government authorities and the private sector to investigate, and strategise against, some of the most devastating pathogens of crop plants in East Africa. We will build expertise and educational capacity as well as research and resource capacity in a region without these means but most needy of them.

We are inspired by our interest in crop pathology and awareness of the lack of opportunities for research to translate into applications benefiting those who's food security is under greatest threat.

Informed by the challenges and the science, we combine the capacity of each partner to work towards common aims. We hope to publish primary research and understand more about an important plant pathogen but also to find solutions to mitigate against the devastating impact of the pathogen and help prevent hardship. We will also build on the capacity of our partners through training and exchange.

For more information, please see this recently published article on the project...https://acaciaafrica.org/saving-the-iconic-coconut-through-long-term-capacity-building/