In the ongoing battle against agricultural pests, simulation exercises have become a critical component of global plant protection strategies. These scenario-based drills mimic real-world outbreaks, enabling countries to be at the forefront of tackling potential pest infestations. They are especially relevant for emerging pests and have recently been employed by national plant protection organizations as a prevention and preparedness tool against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (TR4), a significant banana pest.

The first Fusarium TR4 simulation exercise for the COMESA region took place in Kenya in May 2024, implemented under the COMESA Trade Facilitation Project, funded by the European Union. This was part of a wider capacity development programme which included the development of International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) guides and e-learning courses and in-person and virtual Fusarium TR4 diagnostic and surveillance training courses for representatives from the COMESA region.

The simulation exercise was led by the IPPC Secretariat, in partnership with FAO Mesoamerica and, as the first simulation exercise to be conducted in Africa, it was an important milestone for the region. Representatives from COMESA countries, namely Comoros, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Madagascar, Somalia, Burundi, Congo, Malawi, Sudan, Eswatini and Zimbabwe met in Nairobi for a simulation exercise that covered all stages from preparation to response to a first outbreak or positive case, to containment of infected plants.

Source: https://www.ippc.int/en/news/simulation-exercises-a-crucial-tool-in-combatting-emerging-pests/