The ‘push-pull’ approach to controlling stem borers in maize

    | April 26, 2010

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    The “push-pull” approach to controlling stem borers and striga weed was developed a number of years ago. It started with scientists from the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology discovering that desmodium and napier grass affect stem borer behaviour, and was developed further in collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.

    Many farmers have not yet heard of this strategy. Others, like the farmer featured in this week’s news story, have learned about it recently and are now benefiting from increased maize yields. Farm Radio International first published this script about the push-pull approach to pest control in 2004. The script reinforces the details of how to use desmodium and napier grass to protect maize from stem borers and striga.

    This script can be found online at: http://farmradio.org/english/radio-scripts/72-10script_en.asp.