TRAVEL FUND REPORTS: The 4th International Phytosanitary Conferencel, Nairobi, Kenya, 18th – 21st September 2023

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The 4^th International Phytosanitary Conference

Nairobi, Kenya

18^th – 21^st September 2023

The International Phytosanitary Conference (IPC 2023) focuses on phytosanitary related matters and it has been organized since 2016. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) which is the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Kenya has been the organiser of this conference. The IPC 2023 is the 4^th conference and put together around 300 participants from all over the word. It was a great opportunity for participants to discuss emerging issues including invasive species, pest outbreaks, biological control, Pest Risk Analysis, Export certification, Pest Surveillance, Import control and Quarantine Regulations, Pest diagnostics, Industry role in implementation of phytosanitary systems, Emerging innovation in Phytosanitary systems, Climate Change resilience, mitigation and adaptation and Cross-cutting issues. Participants shared their experience through oral presentations, posters session, exhibition, special sessions, side events and field visits. IPC 2023 was my great opportunity to meet plant health experts from different countries to discuss achievements, challenges and opportunities in plant health including membership benefits of BSPP.

The conference was officially opened by Honourable Kello Harsama Permanent Secretary, State Department for Crop Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya. During the opening session of the conference, different speakers including Honorable Kello Harsama, Professor Theophilus M. Mutui, Managing Director of KEPHIS and Dr Morris Akiri, Senior Regional Director, Africa highlighted the importance of plant health, implementation of phytosanitary measures in identification and management of pest and diseases to overcome food insecurity and access markets.

Oral presentations under different sessions including pest risk analysis, Invasive Species and Management and Pest Surveillance in Phytosanitary Systems attracted my specific attention where different speakers talked about horizon scanning tool, identification and management of different pest and diseases. Horizon scanning tool is an important decision tool that supports countries to identify pests not yet reported in their areas and prioritise them for better preparedness. Case studies were indicated for Burundi, Zambia and Kenya countries. A range of CABI tools that provide support in Sanitary and Phytosanitary systems including CABI BioProtection Portal, the Pest Risk Analysis Tool, CABI Academy and the Fertilizer Optimizer App were also highlighted.

During this conference, I got the unique opportunity to give oral presentation on morphological and molecular characterisation of Phakopsora apoda causing leaf rust on Brachiaria grass in Rwanda under Pest Diagnostics in Phytosanitary Systems Session. I shared my experience in using the Optika B-350 microscope with installed camera and the calibrated micrometer and the multigene analysis for morphological and molecular characterisation of P. apoda causing Brachiaria leaf rust. I also visited exhibition booths where various products and services were displayed. I was specifically interested in visiting and interacting with Agdia team. Agdia provides different products and services for plant pathogen detection such as ELISA tests, PCR, Nucleic Acid Hybridization, Immunoblot, AmplifyRP and testing service laboratory which can receive and test samples using ELISA, PCR and other techniques. AmplifyRP is based on Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) technology and allows a quick detection through the amplification of the pathogen’s DNA. This method is suitable to be used on fields by anybody including people who are not molecular biologists. The reader is light and battery operated, easy to carry while traveling.

In summary, the 4^th International Phytosanitary Conference was the unique opportunity to meet and interact with different people with different expertise including plant health experts from various countries in government institutions and private sectors focusing on phytosanitary matters. I would like to express my thanks to BSPP and CABI for giving me the opportunity to attend and give oral presentation in the 4^th International Phytosanitary Conference.

Dr Bellancile Uzayisenga