Leveraging Biodiversity for Sustainable Farming to Achieve Food Security

Sustainable pest management is crucial for reducing reliance on chemical inputs and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity. This project investigates the role of biodiversity in enhancing sustainable farming, focusing on insectivorous birds’ contribution to crop pest control. Conducted in rural Zambia, the study spans intensive and non-intensive farms and their adjacent habitats, hosting diverse assemblages of insectivorous birds. We aim to (i) demonstrate that diverse bird communities protect crops from pests, (ii) evaluate the social and economic impact of insectivorous bird communities, and (iii) survey traditional farming practices among locals to promote and preserve them in the increasingly industrialised farming sector in the region. We will combine techniques from community ecology (biodiversity surveys and ecological networks) and crop sciences (in situ experimental settings).  

This research will inform policy recommendations and provide actionable strategies to promote biodiversity-friendly farming practices, enhancing regional food security and sustainability. These strategies address SDG 1 and SDG 2 while preserving the ecosystem services supported by biodiversity (SDG 15). The findings will be shared with local farmers, policymakers, and conservation stakeholders to encourage adopting practices that harmonise agricultural productivity with biodiversity conservation.