The “Management of Pests and Diseases of Forest Crops in Ethiopia” project is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and involves the University of Sunshine Coast (Brisbane, Australia), the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the Ethiopian Forest Department (EFD), the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) and FABI. As part of this initiative, Mr Kumela Regasa Tiki, a plant pathologist at EFD and a collaborator on this project, visited FABI from 1-29 July for hands-on laboratory and field techniques training in forest pathology and general forest protection.

During his visit, Kumela was trained on the full diagnostic pipeline used to identify plant-pathogenic fungi responsible for disease symptoms, including training in fundamental molecular laboratory procedures, equipment use and standard good laboratory practices regarding safety and contamination control.

Expanding beyond diagnostics, Kumela visited the FABI Biocontrol facilities to observe insect rearing protocols and the production of biological control agents. He also travelled to KwaZulu-Natal to visit the ICFR, where he received training in fungicide bioassays and tree growth measurements.

A major focus of Kumela’s visit was to receive training in pathogenicity testing – skills which he will use for pathogenicity trials on two new pathogens found in Ethiopia on a previous trip linked to the same project.

Overall, Kumela’s visit to FABI was a great success, further strengthening the ongoing collaboration between FABI and its national and international partners. The laboratory and field techniques he acquired will be directly integrated into EFD’s diagnostic workflows and routine monitoring efforts in Ethiopia.

A special thanks to Dr Charlene Clarke who coordinated the visit, but also thank you to everyone involved in organising and delivering training, including Prof. Brett Hurley, Prof. Irene Barnes, Dr Felipe Balocchi, Ms. Michané Reutener, Ms. Sophie Nyoni, Ms. Samantha Bush, Dr Firehiwot Eshetu, Dr Mesfin Gossa, Mr Greg Fuller, Mr Nuveshen Naidoo, Ms. Nomaswazi Ntshingila, Ms. Madelein van Heerden, Mr Morné Booij-Liewes and Ms. Helen Doman.