How to push-pull

Push-pull technology is a novel approach in pest management which uses a repellent intercrop and an attractive trap plant. Insect pests are repelled from the food crop and are simultaneously attracted to a trap crop. A ‘push-pull’ strategy was developed by ICIPE and its collaborators for the control of stemborers and striga weed in resource-poor maize farming systems. This technology controls both stemborers and striga and improves soil fertility.

"We have embraced Push-Pull and encourage our friends to do the same. The method not only ensures a bountiful harvest but also promotes the health of our livestock. We no longer use harmful chemicals that could endanger us and other beneficial insects."
Singirumukiza Thereza
Farmer
Pest/disease control

Losing your maize yield to stemborers and striga?

Stemborers and striga weeds cause major losses to maize production throughout Africa. Maize yield losses due to stemborers can vary from 20-40%. Striga weeds infest 40% of the arable land in sub-Saharan Africa, causing an annual crop loss of US$... Continue Reading…
Pest/disease control

Stemborers

Stemborers are one of the most destructive pests of cereal crops and can greatly reduce yields of maize and sorghum on smallholder farms. These pests can cause yield losses of 30 to 100% if they are not controlled. Control of... Continue Reading…
Installation of Pitfall traps inside grassland (David Meinhof)
Earth Observation

Ecological investigations on push-pull

In the period of September 13th, 2021 to October 5th, 2021 in and around Kamuli district, in the North-East of Central Uganda, UPSCALE team consisting of David Meinhof, Adomas Liepa, Dr Insa Otte conducted first field trials of ecological investigations... Continue Reading…
Farming practice

How to establish push-pull fields

UPSCALE partners regularly organize training and demonstration days – Roadshow events – with the aim to train the farmers and provide more information on the benefits and implementation of the Push-Pull technology. These take place on already established climate-smart push-pull… Continue Reading…

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