Call for Proposal for Baseline Evaluation

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)

The RPW Program is a three-year international and multi-institutional program designed to combat the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), a devastating pests that threatens date palm, coconut, oil palm cultivation in UAE and LMICS. The program is funded by the Gates Foundation (GF) and The United Arab Emirates Presidential Court, and led by ICARDA, the program aims to develop, validate, adopt, and translate innovative, sustainable science-based, cost effective and environmentally friendly solutions to manage and contain RPW infestations. With the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a test bed for new innovations, the program will develop and establish scalable strategies that can extend to other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) affected by this invasive pest.

Program goal: The primary goal of the C4RPWC program is to control and contain RPW infestations, thereby improving date palm productivity, profitability and resilience in the UAE and across the broader region. By strengthening scientifically proven, scalable, and sustainable pest management strategies, the program will contribute to enhancing food security, protecting rural and urban livelihoods, and safeguarding environmental ecosystems from the economic and ecological devastation caused by palm weevils.

Overall program objectives: The C4RPWC program leverages the collective expertise of a diverse international consortium, bringing together CGIAR and non-CGIAR international research organizations, alongside UAE government institutions and national partners, as well as their counterparts in targeted LMICs. The consortium will prioritize and lead the development of cutting-edge innovations to control and contain RPW infestations. Moreover, the program will develop a comprehensive national action plan for RPW management, focusing on deployment pathways rather than direct large-scale developmental interventions. By integrating semiochemical, biological agents, new genetic approach, agronomic, citizen science, socioeconomic, and policy tools, the program will generate the scientific and operational framework necessary for a structured and sustainable approach to RPW control.

A critical aspect of the C4RPWC program is the generation and dissemination of knowledge to support evidence-based decision-making. The program will provide decision-makers with critical insights into the current state of RPW infestations, their causes and sources, and the effectiveness of different prevention and mitigation measures. This information will allow for the refinement of intervention strategies, ensuring that proposed control measures are targeted, adaptable, and feasible. To ensure that the innovation and knowledge generated reaches all relevant stakeholders, the program will implement a comprehensive dissemination strategy. The program is structured into 5 interlinked workstreams.

Workstream 1: Climate-resilient, bio-based management of RPW

This workstream, led by the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), focuses on leveraging natural ecological interactions to develop bio-based control solutions for the Red Palm Weevil (RPW). The primary strategies include new pheromone-based attract-and-kill systems, nano based biopesticides derived from locally adapted entomopathogenic fungi, RNA interference (RNAi) to disrupt RPW gene expression, and exploration of natural enemies as biological control agents. These solutions aim to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and improve long-term pest management by providing sustainable, eco-friendly pest management strategy.

Workstream 2: Biotechnological innovations for sustainable RPW control

Led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), this workstream harnesses cutting-edge biotechnological tools to develop innovative pest control strategies. Key approaches include RNAi as biopesticides, genome editing to enhance date palm resistance, and plant-expressed dsRNA to disrupt RPW gene expression. These next-generation tools aim to introduce highly targeted and sustainable interventions, reducing economic losses while minimizing environmental risks together with other conventional IPM tactics.

Workstream 3: Digital innovation and big data analytics

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) leads this workstream, which applies AI, machine learning, and digital sensing technologies to create a proactive and data-driven RPW management system. The focus is on early detection tools like thermal imaging and remote sensing, predictive analytics using machine learning, and integrating IoT sensors and drones for targeted palm weevil management. This workstream aims to transform RPW management from reactive to predictive, providing real-time insights to optimize effectiveness of other innovations in pest control strategies.

Workstream 4: Good Agricultural Practices for RPW management

Led by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), this workstream integrates agronomic and ecological innovations to enhance the resilience of date palm production systems through improving palm tree health as first line of defense of protecting the crop. Key practices include smart irrigation systems, improved sanitation measures, evaluating the impact of date palm variety and environmental stressors, and deploying pest-free seedlings. By embedding science-driven best agricultural practices, this workstream aims to foster long-term resilience and protect palm crops from RPW and other pest threats.

Workstream 5: Translate research to action - pathways to scaling

Led by ICARDA, has three wok packages and focuses on adaptive research and conceptualizing deployment pathways to ensure that innovations can be effectively translated into real-farm impacts. The three work packages are designed in developing adoption pathways and scaling strategies, engaging in citizen science and community engagement, and conducting socioeconomic impact assessments. This workstream ensures that the program delivers locally adapted, socially inclusive, and economically viable RPW management solutions, establishing a foundation for sustainable, long-term national strategies.

The Program also has embedded cross-cutting work areas, namely: Capacity development; Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Communication.