Push-pull continues to mitigate the problem of fall armyworm infestation, striga and stem borers in push-pull demonstration plots in Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Gatunda and other districts in Rwanda. The damage is less in the plots compared to monocrop plots.
In Rwanda, 47 farmers established trial plots after the first training was delivered in November 2017. The farmers are in Gatsibo and Nyagatare Districts which were identified as striga hotspots. The team from icipe visited the sites to assess the situation and later, farmers with striga and stem borer problems in their fields were identified in Nyanza, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Bugesera and Nyagatare. On station trials were established in Rubona research center in the South and Rwerere RAB station in Northern Rwanda.
In a workshop held in Rwanda on 22nd December 2017, the Head of Research Department of Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) Dr. Patrick Karangwa, mentioned that pests like stem borers pose a major challenge to cereal crop production. The introduction and expansion of push-pull technology to Rwanda, was hailed during the workshop as a sign of better yields in future and a step towards food security in Rwanda. Stakeholders were urged to join forces in the implementation of the technology inorder to combat the problem of the stem borers, striga weed and the fall armyworm.
The workshop was covered and aired by the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency. Find the clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etVfhZMnRd4&t=52s
Training and demonstrations to Farmers in Rwanda
One month later, under the supervision of RAB; where desmodium has germinated, maize plants are stronger and no/little FAW infestation despite the late planting