Farmers’ perceived pathways for further intensification of push-pull systems in Western Kenya

February 9, 2024

Push-pull technology provides farmers in East Africa with an eco-friendly strategy that increases crop yield and household income in smallholder cereal systems by controlling pests and improving soil health. Though promising for a sustainably intensified production, push-pull has been used at a limited scale, primarily in maize and sorghum-based production systems.

Agricultural production system • Push-Pull in practice

Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push‑Pull Technology (PPT)

December 14, 2023

PPT originated in East Africa and is being continuously improved through cycles of interdisciplinary and participatory experimentation. Despite well-documented benefits to farmers and the environment, more institutional support from agricultural extension systems (AES) is needed for PPT to realise significant impact on poverty reduction, food security, and sustainability.

Farming practice • Pest/disease control • Push-Pull in practice

Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids

December 14, 2023

Our data provide evidence of the mechanisms underpinning reduced S. frugiperda infestation in the Push-Pull companion cropping system, i.e., volatiles from companion crops repel S. frugiperda while attracting its parasitoid natural enemies. These findings explain why Push-Pull field plots had fewer S. frugiperda larvae and lower crop damage than monocropped maize.

Farming practice • Multiactor communitites of practice • Pest/disease control • Push-Pull in practice

Integrated pest Management that increases crop and livestock production

July 18, 2023

Farmers in Gatsibo District, Nyagihanga sector, are embracing the numerous benefits of Push-Pull farming, an environmentally friendly approach that eliminates the need for chemical pesticides. Push-Pull technology not only offers significant environmental advantages but also brings substantial socio-economic benefits to… Continue Reading…

Push-Pull in practice

Combining Milpa and Push‑Pull Technology for sustainable food production in smallholder agriculture. A review

December 14, 2023

The pre-Columbian milpa system of intercropping maize with companion crops such as beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and squash (Cucurbita spp.) is one effective system that has been shown to produce outstanding yields per unit area compared to monoculture systems.

Pest/disease control

The push-pull intercrop Desmodium does not repel, but intercepts and kills pests

December 14, 2023

Push-pull aims to reduce the abundance of insect pests in crops through repelling the pest in the crop, while simultaneously providing attractive sources to trap the pest out (formalized by Miller and Cowles). Using this ‘stimulo-deterrent diversion’ principle, a push-pull strategy was devised to combat Lepidopteran pests in sub-Saharan smallholder maize farming.

Pest/disease control • Push-Pull in practice

Sustainable Intensification of Push–Pull System with Vegetables

December 14, 2023

We are having a chief’s baraza this weekend at the chief’s camp. We will discuss dangers posed by agro-chemicals and improved farming methods

Multiactor communitites of practice

Transdisciplinary communication and knowledge sharing strategy for upscale project

December 14, 2023

UPSCALE project has developed a transdisciplinary knowledge sharing and capacity building strategy with an aim of breaking the disciplinary barriers among multi-actor communities of practice (MACs) in East Africa.

Push-Pull in practice

From Lab to Land: Women in push–pull agriculture

December 14, 2023

From Lab to Land brings together the voices of women scientists, agricultural extensionists and farmers from across eastern Africa

Pest/disease control

The effect of Brachiaria rows on stem borer damage on sorghum in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

December 14, 2023

The lepidopteron stemborer (Chilo partellus) and parasitic Striga weed (Striga hermonthica) caused major yield losses in subsistence sorghum production in the Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia. This study evaluated different number of Brachiaria (Mulato II) rows planted around sorghum plots.

Farmers’ perceived pathways for further intensification of push-pull systems in Western Kenya

Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push‑Pull Technology (PPT)

Bioactive Volatiles From Push-Pull Companion Crops Repel Fall Armyworm and Attract Its Parasitoids

Integrated pest Management that increases crop and livestock production

Combining Milpa and Push‑Pull Technology for sustainable food production in smallholder agriculture. A review

The push-pull intercrop Desmodium does not repel, but intercepts and kills pests

Sustainable Intensification of Push–Pull System with Vegetables

Transdisciplinary communication and knowledge sharing strategy for upscale project

From Lab to Land: Women in push–pull agriculture

The effect of Brachiaria rows on stem borer damage on sorghum in Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

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