Mutibo Chijikwa’s research is dedicated to helping farmers control the red bollworm that threatens Zambia’s cotton crop. She is the first entomologist in Zambia to specifically work on management of this pest. “Most of the focus here has been on the American bollworm, which is also a problem,” says Chijikwa. “However, I’m seeing in my research that the red bollworm is increasingly important and it’s much harder to control.” Cotton was a major crop in Zambia until international prices plummeted several years ago. Up to 40 percent of the small-scale producers abandoned their fields, and cotton production declined to a record low over a period of five years. Many farmers decided to plant maize or vegetables instead.