11 May 2017, Plumtree, Zimbabwe - Fikile khumalo (21) daughter to Mr Feli Khumalo a local farmer and honey producer in Matabeleland South province poses for a photograph while holding a bowl filled with unprocessed honey at his homestead in Skhulu village, Mangwe district, Plumtree. FAO and the ASTF fund are supporting investigation, surveys, training and management practices to address food contamination, animal and plant pests and diseases and their impact on the productivity of food, crops, livestock, fisheries and forest resources in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
In Zimbabwe, a strong focus has been on controlling invasive plant pests. Three alien invasive species (IAS) are severely affecting Zimbabwean Eucalyptus trees and woodlots throughout the country. This threat was first recorded in 2007. Some tree nurseries have experienced 100% mortality. The three pests are the Leptocybe invasa (Blue Gum Chalcid), Glycaspis brimblecombei (Red gum Lerp Psyllid), and Thaumastocoris peregrinas (Bronze Bug). Biological controls, such as the Selitrichodes Neseri insect from the South Africa have been introduced. Initial results show these measures are successful, reducing forest, economic and livelihood losses.