{"id":18135,"date":"2026-06-20T13:02:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/iita-joins-icarda-led-global-consortium-to-spearhead-biotechnological-innovations-in-the-battle-against-the-red-palm-weevil\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:53:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:53:36","slug":"iita-joins-icarda-led-global-consortium-to-spearhead-biotechnological-innovations-in-the-battle-against-the-red-palm-weevil","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/iita-joins-icarda-led-global-consortium-to-spearhead-biotechnological-innovations-in-the-battle-against-the-red-palm-weevil\/","title":{"rendered":"IITA joins ICARDA-led global consortium to spearhead biotechnological innovations in the battle against the red palm weevil"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Representatives
Representatives of IITA, ICARDA and UAE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nAt the 17th Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gates Foundation<\/a>, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)<\/a> launched the International Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC).\n\nIITA will lead a critical workstream under the bold, new global initiative to combat the devastating Red Palm Weevil (RPW). This invasive pest, RPW, threatens date palms and livelihoods across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.\n\nThe Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC), officially launched at the prestigious Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation<\/em> ceremony in Abu Dhabi on 16 April 2025, brings together global scientific partners in a coordinated effort to tackle RPW through innovation, collaboration, and scaling. ICARDA leads the initiative, which was jointly supported by the United Arab Emirates and the Gates Foundation.\n\n
\"Date
Date palm field in the United Arab Emirates.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nIITA, through its Genome Editing Platform in Nairobi, Kenya, will lead Workstream 2: Biotechnological Innovations, exploring cutting-edge tools such as genome editing, RNA interference (RNAi), and microbiome disruption to target and weaken the pest\u2019s biology. These novel technologies aim to deliver sustainable and precise pest control strategies, especially for regions where RPW has proven most destructive.\n\nSpeaking about IITA\u2019s role, Dr Leena Tripathi, Director of IITA Eastern Africa Hub and Biotechnology Program Lead, emphasized the significance of leveraging biotechnology in integrated pest management strategies:\n\n\u201cBiotechnological innovations offer us a chance to strike at the root of the problem by targeting the weevil\u2019s genetic makeup and biological processes. Through approaches like genome editing, RNA interference, and plant genome manipulation to build resistance, we can develop sustainable, precise, and environmentally friendly solutions. This reduces dependence on chemical pesticides and paves the way for sustainable, scalable solutions that can be adapted across different geographies.\u201d\n\nThe consortium’s ambitious plan is structured around five scientific workstreams, each led by a specialized institution:\n\n
\"A
A date palm tree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n \t
  1. Bio-based innovations<\/strong> \u2013 icipe, Kenya<\/em>: Developing nature-based pest control methods using pheromones, fungi, and classical biocontrol agents.<\/li>\n \t
  2. Biotechnological innovations<\/strong> \u2013 IITA, Kenya<\/em>: Applying genome editing, RNAi, and microbiome disruption tools.<\/li>\n \t
  3. Digital innovations & AI<\/strong> \u2013 ICRISAT, India<\/em>: Creating predictive tools, IoT sensors, and AI platforms for early pest detection.<\/li>\n \t
  4. Good agricultural practices (GAPs)<\/strong> \u2013 ICBA, UAE<\/em>: Promoting scalable field-level practices for prevention and control.<\/li>\n \t
  5. Policy, institutions & global access<\/strong> \u2013 ICARDA, UAE Regional Hub<\/em>: Ensuring innovations are embedded in policy frameworks and accessible across borders.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nEarlier this year, the Consortium partners convened during CGIAR Science Week to align the project\u2019s vision and execution roadmap. For IITA, the opportunity to contribute its biotech expertise marks another milestone in its commitment to deploying scientific innovations that empower farmers, protect crops, and transform agriculture sustainably.\n\nAs the fight against RPW intensifies, the C4RPWC initiative presents a timely and coordinated scientific response, with IITA bringing its expertise in biotech innovation to the frontlines of this global challenge.\n\nContributed by Rose Harriet Okech<\/em>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    At the 17th Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Gates Foundation, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) launched the International Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC).<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":18136,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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