PARASITE

Rice is an increasing important component for Africas future food security. Rainfed rice in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is often severely affected by parasitic weeds. Affected areas accommodate some of the worlds poorest farmers and are reported to increase. Parasitic weeds are characterized by their invasive nature due to their ability to adapt to changing conditions (e.g. climate change).

The program consists of 3 PhD-projects and a postdoctoral research project. It expects to deliver control and prevention strategies against parasitic weeds, and institutional innovations for organizations involved in crop protection to reduce the socio-economic impacts of any future pest outbreak. As parasitic weeds are typical production constraints of subsistence rice production systems, targeting them through an integrated program is likely to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security.