On February 16–17, 2026, the project wrap-up meeting on integrated pest management for maize under the China-FAO-Cape Verde South-South Cooperation Project was held in São Jorge, Cape Verde. The meeting was hosted by the FAO Representation in Cape Verde and organized by the National Institute of Agricultural Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. More than 30 participants attended the event, including members of the FAO Representation in Cape Verde, experts of the South-South Cooperation Project, project partners and agricultural technicians from the National Institute of Agricultural Development and the General Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock of Cape Verde.

Dr. Hu Yingxiong from the Maize Research Center of the Crop Breeding and Cultivation Research Institute, SAAS, serving as an expert on integrated pest management for maize under the South-South Cooperation Project, conducted 18 months of comprehensive control work on the fall armyworm, a major maize pest, in Cape Verde. At the wrap-up meeting, Dr. Hu delivered a work report entitled Work Summary Report of the China-FAO-Cape Verde South-South Cooperation Project, elaborating on his project responsibilities and tasks, work progress, achievements, as well as future plans and recommendations.

Focusing on the damage caused by the fall armyworm in local maize-growing areas, Dr. Hu carried out a series of key work: developing a chili pepper oil solution technology for controlling fall armyworm larvae in maize; improving Cape Verde’s traditional maize-bean intercropping practices; producing a dedicated promotional video and technical manual on chili pepper oil solution for maize pest control; organizing technical training sessions; participating in special presentations at the Cape Verde Agricultural and Livestock Fair; establishing demonstration bases for maize cultivation technology trials; and providing technical guidance on maize pest and disease control for local farmers. During the meeting, Dr. Hu presented detailed trial results demonstrating the control efficacy of five pesticides of different ecological types against the fall armyworm at the field demonstration base.

Prior to the wrap-up meeting, Dr. Hu played a promotional video on waxy maize and waxy maize culture produced by the Maize Research Center of the Crop Science Institute of our academy, followed by a lively discussion and exchange among participants on the production and cultivation of Chinese waxy maize. The wrap-up meeting received unanimous recognition and praise from all attendees. After the meeting, project leaders and partners from the FAO Representation in Cape Verde, the National Institute of Agricultural Development, and the General Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock held a farewell ceremony for Dr. Hu Yingxiong.