# Starting a pest risk analysis

The tool has two workflows for PRA. The one you choose depends on the reason for conducting the analysis.

### By Pathway

For example: a request to import onions from South Africa to Zambia.

1. Identify the pests that are associated with the pathway
2. Conduct a risk assessment for all the major pests that may be introduced to the risk area via this pathway

{% content-ref url="../pathway-initiated-pra" %}
[pathway-initiated-pra](https://help.cabi.org/pest-risk-analysis-help/pathway-initiated-pra)
{% endcontent-ref %}

### By Pest

For example: risk of red palm weevil (*Rhynchophorus ferrugineus*) for Ghana

1. Identify the potential pathways for pest entry to the risk area
2. Assess the likelihood of introduction of the pest via each pathway. Then continue the single pest risk assessment

{% content-ref url="../pest-initiated-pra" %}
[pest-initiated-pra](https://help.cabi.org/pest-risk-analysis-help/pest-initiated-pra)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.cabi.org/pest-risk-analysis-help/getting-started/starting-a-pest-risk-analysis.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.