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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 29940, member: 2262"] The UN Food and Agricultural Organization joined forces with Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture to train reporters. They want better news coverage about pest outbreaks and control methods. These pests cause farmers to lose 40% of global food each year. Better reporting helps everyone fight this serious problem. Pests and diseases that attack farm crops and animals make it harder to reach the goal of zero hunger by 2030. The FAO says these destructive bugs and illnesses create major roadblocks. The Sustainable Development Goals cannot succeed when plants and animals keep getting sick. Farmers need help protecting their harvests from these threats. Martin Ameu, FAO Program Officer in Uganda, explained how bugs and plant diseases steal 40% of crops yearly, costing the world economy $220 billion in damages. These losses hurt our chances of ending hunger and poverty. Ameu stressed that good reporting helps farmers learn about responsible pesticide use. Accurate news leads to better farming methods that protect both food supplies and farmer incomes. Dr. Joab Tugume, senior agricultural inspector, spoke at the Jinja training event on Tuesday. He emphasized how reporters play a key role in spreading alerts about pests. Quick detection and fast action prevent bugs from spreading across farms. The media helps officials decide where to send resources and when to declare emergencies. Early warnings save crops when journalists share information quickly. The FAO Uganda Communication Officer Agatha Ayebazibwe highlighted a serious problem with poor news coverage. When reporters miss stories about crop damage, hungry people suffer more. Aid money goes to the wrong places when officials lack accurate information. Relief teams cannot help farmers effectively without knowing the true extent of pest damage. Correct reporting ensures that food reaches those who need it most. Good local news stories provide data for regional tracking systems across countries. This teamwork helps officials coordinate pest control efforts between neighboring nations. Farmers make better choices when they receive clear, factual information about threats. Accurate reporting prevents false rumors that might cause public alarm or bad decisions. The FAO fights pest problems to keep food growing steadily everywhere. It created warning networks like the Desert Locust Information Service to track bug movements. The organization helps governments build plans that shield crops from damage. It also brings countries together to stop pests from crossing borders. Its mission focuses on keeping harvests safe worldwide. Uganda's Agriculture Ministry and the FAO both pushed for Integrated Pest Management during the training. This approach uses nature-based solutions like helpful bugs and scent traps instead of harsh chemicals. IPM protects the environment by reducing pesticide spraying. The method also encourages farmers to grow different crop types, strengthening farms against pest attacks. [/QUOTE]

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