Centre for Phage Biology and Therapeutics Eco-smart solutions to protect crops and boost farmer incomes.

CENPBAT is developing phage-based biocontrol’s to fight destructive bacterial crop diseases caused by Xanthomonas, Clavibacter, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, and other pathogens. These bacteria can wipe out up to 40% of yields, yet no registered bactericides exist in many African countries. Farmers are left with costly, ineffective chemicals that degrade soils and ecosystems.
Our solution is a natural, affordable phage bioformulation that self-amplifies on crops, providing sustainable protection, boosting yields, and reducing input costs. We have established a phage bank and identified effective strains, with field trials in Nigeria and Cameroon scheduled for 2026.
The African biopesticide market is projected to exceed $1 billion within the next decade, and our platform can scale beyond tomatoes to protect multiple crops. This positions CENPBAT with a clear first-mover advantage to transform crop protection, improve farmer livelihoods, and strengthen food security across Africa.