Over 130 scientists from all over the world yesterday converged in Arusha at the 2nd International Whitefly Symposium (IWS2) to discuss one of the world’s most destructive agricultural pests, the whitefly, reports Daily News.
“To feed itself Africa must intensify its agricultural production to produce more from the same or even less land. Intensification often leads to more pests and diseases.This meeting therefore brings together renowned whitefly researchers from over 24 countries, the private sector, and students to share and exchange the latest knowledge on the whitefly,” said meeting chair Dr Sseruwagi. It is supported by USAID, the USAID-funded Africa RISING initiative, and Zhejiang University, China. The first International Whitefly Symposium took place in Crete, Greece, in 2013, during which Tanzania won a bid to host the second symposium.