One Plant Health concept: Addressing emerging plant viruses and food security in Africa

Abstract Background : This article outlines a comprehensive strategy for “One Plant Health” management in Africa, designed to address critical challenges, including climate change, emerging plant viruses, and food insecurity. It highlights the need for coordinated action across sectors to strengthen plant health, protect ecosystems, and support livelihoods. Methods : The strategy emphasizes collaborative efforts among researchers, farmers, horticulturists, soil scientists, agronomists, policy makers, international organizations, NGOs, local communities, and human and animal health sectors. It promotes integrating indigenous knowledge systems with modern tools by: utilizing traditional seed selection, conventional breeding, and intercropping to identify and preserve disease-resistant landraces, then applying modern biotechnology to develop virus- and disease-resistant crops with stable yields, and combining indigenous ecological knowledge with remote sensing (satellite imagery and drones) to guide environmental management, addressing deforestation, land degradation, soil pollution, and water scarcity. Results : An integrated approach that merges traditional practices with advanced technologies is presented as a pathway to improved plant health and resilience. The framework is expected to strengthen crop resistance to emerging plant viruses and other diseases, improve environmental monitoring and restoration, and enhance food security and economic growth. Conclusion : Integrating plant health and phytopathology into the broader “One Health” framework, while advancing agroecological practices, can help mitigate emerging plant virus impacts, address environmental challenges, and reinforce the interconnected well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems in Africa.