World over, the combined effect of plant pest and diseases is responsible for the destruction of about 50% global crop yield. This epidemic has led to losses recorded in billions of dollars and is responsible for crippling some local agricultural economies. To curb this menace, the United Nations general assembly on December 20, 2018 adopted a resolution to proclaim the year 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health, IYPH. While delivering a keynote address at the launch of activities to herald the year in Abuja, Director General, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Vincent Ikape Isegbe explained why the proclamation by the UN is of utmost importance.
