icipe Push-Pull technology in Ethiopia

icipe’s innovative Push-Pull has progressed tremendously in Ethiopia since its introduction in the country five years ago, with over 8,000 farmers now using the technology.

Of these farmers, 2,500 have adapted the technology over the past one year through a massive scale-out initiative by icipe in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia; Biovision Foundation for Ecology Development, Switzerland; European Union; German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supported with funds from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development; and USAID through the Feed the Future Integrated Pest Management Innovation Lab at Virginia Tech (USA).  Further support has been obtained from icipe core donors: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Switzerland; Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); UK Aid, Government of the United Kingdom and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Kenya.

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Mr Daniel Onako, a farmer from Hawassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, Ethiopia, harvesting his first maize grown using the Push-Pull technology.

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Mr Beyene Tahiro, a Push-Pull farmer in Hawassa, harvesting Brachiaria grass, one of the technology's intercrops, which is also a high quality fodder for cows.

Speaking during a recent visit to Push-Pull project sites in Hawassa, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region, icipe Director General, Dr Segenet Kelemu, noted: “Like their counterparts in various other African countries, Ethiopian Push-Pull farmers are benefiting from the multiple advantages presented by this simple intercropping technology, including combating stemborers and Striga weed and improving soil health and fertility, and aflatoxin reduction leading to increased cereal productivity. In addition, Push-Pull intercrops provide farmers with high quality livestock fodder, resulting to improved milk yields. Therefore, household nutrition and incomes are also enhanced.”

Director General
icipe Director General, Dr Segenet Kelemu (in green cap and glasses), talks to farmers, researchers and partners during a visit by the Centre’s senior management team to Push-Pull field sites in Ethiopia. icipe in partnership with the Government of Ethiopia and various partners is committed to expanding the Push-Pull technology across Ethiopia. 

Importantly, beneficiaries and partners have noted that, in addition to its proven gains, Push-Pull is also now demonstrating ability to control the Fall Armyworm, an invasive pest first reported in Africa in January 2016, which is causing devastating impact to cereals and other crops across the continent.
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