The Crop Protection Unit is involved in activities aimed at safeguarding plant health by preventing the introduction of new/ exotic pests and diseases along with the management of existing ones. Some of these activities include but are not limited to:

• Facilitation of continuous learning for stakeholders, farmers, and the general public, through training sessions, workshops, and meetings, using effective training methodologies and group laboratory demonstrations to build capacity in plant pests and diseases identification and management
• Utilization of scientific methods and techniques to assess the risk associated with the entry, establishment, and spread of plant pests and disease.
• Provision of support in the diagnosis of pests, diseases, and weeds, primarily where these present challenges in agricultural production systems.
• Provision of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) solutions
• Implementation of integrated pest management programs aimed at encouraging sustainable agroecological systems, part of which entails ensuring early detection and intervention of plant pest and disease incidence
• Validation and recommendation of appropriate technologies and crop varieties for the successful management of plant pest and disease
• Surveillance and monitoring of plant pests and diseases following established protocols
• Maintenance of the national database on plant pest and disease