May 12 marks the International Day of Plant Health, a United Nations initiative emphasizing the vital role of healthy plants in sustaining life on Earth. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), up to 40 percent of global crops are lost annually due to plant pests and diseases. This alarming statistic not only threatens food security but also weakens ecosystems and hampers efforts against climate change.
This year’s theme, “The importance of plant health in One Health,” underscores the interconnectedness of plant health with the health of people, animals, and the environment. The One Health approach, supported by the World Health Organization and FAO, advocates for a holistic view of health, recognizing that safeguarding plants is essential for overall ecological balance.
Protecting crops from pests and pathogens goes beyond agriculture—it reduces pesticide use, supports biodiversity, and prevents the spread of diseases that may originate in disturbed habitats. Innovative technologies are making significant strides in this area.
Last year, China introduced the Huiyan system, developed by the Aerospace Information Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other institutions. This artificial intelligence-powered system combines in-situ sensing, drone monitoring, and remote sensing to track over 20 major crop and forest pests. By providing early warnings, it enhances biosecurity on both national and global scales.
In Beijing, a smart vegetable protection platform integrates AI tools to detect and respond to pest threats precisely. Spearheaded by the city’s Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the system has improved control efficiency, reduced chemical use, and benefited both crop yields and the environment.
At the grassroots level, green control technologies are empowering farmers. Professor Huang Lili’s team at Northwest A&F University developed an integrated strategy for controlling apple canker and kiwifruit bacterial canker. Their “winter disease, summer prevention” technique combines forecasting, immunity boosting, and targeted intervention. Widely adopted in key production regions, this method has earned scientific awards and the trust of fruit growers.
Plant health is not an abstract concern—it’s vital to our food systems, ecosystems, and society. As challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss intensify, investing in innovative, sustainable plant protection is more urgent than ever.
