Transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and plant pests know no borders. In Africa and around the world, these threats weigh heavily on food security and the economy. For the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) , the response lies not only in emergency intervention, but also in coordinated preparedness and a massive capacity building for those working on the ground.

1. A rapidly changing risk landscape

According to Madhur Dhingra (Animal Health) and Fazil Dusunceli (Plant Production), the crises are no longer isolated but convergent.

1. On the animal front: Avian influenza (H5N1) illustrates this new paradigm. Once predictable, it now affects mammals (cattle, marine mammals) and threatens humans, making the "One Health" approach essential.
2. On the plant front: The African continent is under attack on several fronts:
3. The desert locust , a historical threat that remains active.
4. The fall armyworm , which has been devastating cornfields since 2016.
5. Cassava and cocoa diseases (mosaic, swollen shoots) weaken the pillars of local agriculture.
6. Bacterial banana wilt , a major concern for central and southern Africa.

The experts' assessment: The explosion of global trade and climate change are accelerating the spread of these scourges, making current biosecurity systems insufficient.

2. The FAO strategy: Anticipate rather than react

The FAO is deploying a technical arsenal to help countries regain control:

1. Surveillance and early warning: Translating field data into rapid alerts to stop pathogens before they cross a border.
2. Legislative frameworks: Supporting countries in creating robust phytosanitary and veterinary laws.
3. Integrated management: Promoting sustainable methods (such as the Farmer Field School) to reduce dependence on pesticides.

3. Digital technology at the service of the "last mile"

One of the major challenges remains access to expertise in remote areas. For Madhur Dhingra, the solution lies in FAO's Virtual Learning Centres (VLCs) .

1. Scale: Free and multilingual training accessible everywhere.
2. Inclusion: Reaching field agents and professional women in isolated areas, often excluded from traditional training programs.
3. Effectiveness: A better-trained agent is an agent who detects a disease earlier, thus preventing a national epidemic.

4. Outlook: Heading towards June 2026

The FAO is preparing a major step with the launch, in June 2026 , of the Global Partnership Programme on Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD) .

This initiative aims to sustainably transform livestock systems. In parallel, the integration of plant health into the "One Health" concept will be strengthened to ensure that crop protection contributes directly to human and environmental health.

The stakes are clear: without a skilled workforce and advanced surveillance technologies (remote sensing, digital tools), "invisible threats" will continue to undermine Africa's food future.