Push-Pull IPM Technology

Dr Chidawanyika Frank

Dr Frank Chidawanyika is a Senior Scientist in the Impact Delivery Directorate. He serves as the Project Coordinator and Principal Investigator for the Regional Multi-actor Research Network on Agroecology in East Africa (RMRN-EA) project. In addition, he is also the icipe lead for the StrengtheninG rurAl LIveLihoods and rEsilience tO climate change in Africa: innovative agroforestry integrating people, trees, crops and livestock (GALILEO) project. Prior to this, Frank served as a Scientist in icipe`s Push-Pull Program where he focused on technology development, validation and scaling with various stakeholders. His previous other engagements include Environmental Entomologist at the Agricultural Research Council, South Africa (ZA), Senior Lecturer at the University of the Free State, ZA. Frank holds a PhD in Entomology and Cropping Systems Ecology from the University of the Witwatersrand ZA. He is a member of various professional societies on agroecology and basic entomology. He has also been a recipient of several awards including the Carnegie Cooperation of New York fellowship and is a rated scientist by the National Research Foundation, ZA. His research interests are broad covering both theoretical and applied questions in basic entomology and agroecology addressing themes such as insect trophic interactions, biodiversity and ecosystem services in natural and agricultural landscapes, sustainable intensification and One Health. He also has keen interest in participatory approaches for co-production of agricultural innovations and their scaling. He publishes widely and mentors post-graduate students around these themes.

Mr Pittchar Jimmy

Jimmy Pittchar is a Social Scientist. His research interests interface natural and social sciences, translating bio-sciences into sustainable development of agricultural systems, resilient food systems and enabling sustainable impacts of scientific innovations. He conducts inter-disciplinary research on the development, adaptation and adoption of icipe’s push-pull technology (www.push-pull.net) in Africa.

He holds a Bsc degree in mathematics and computer science and a Masters degree in social science, specialising in mathematical modeling of human populations, biological and environmental processes driving them, their spatial organization and economic development. He has over 26 years’ international research, development and programme management experience gained as a researcher and lecturer at University of Nairobi and Adviser to the United Nations.

Dr Tamiru Amanuel

Dr. Amanuel Tamiru is a Senior Scientist and Leader of the Push-Pull Programme under Plant Health Theme. He earned a Ph.D. from Kenyatta University through doctoral research conducted at icipe (Kenya), Rothamsted Research (UK) and Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (Germany). He holds an MSc in Biology (Insect Sciences) from Addis Ababa University and a BSc in Agriculture (Plant Sciences) from Hawassa University.

He conducts cutting-edge research in plant signaling and insect-plant interactions, employing the latest behavioural and chemical ecology techniques. He has discovered, for the first time, that insect-egg deposition induces the production of bioactive volatiles attractive to parasitic wasps in some maize cultivars and elucidated underpinning molecular mechanisms. His other key discoveries include elucidating the underpinning chemical ecology mechanisms of the ‘Push-Pull’ cropping system in fighting an invasive fall armyworm pest, characterization of the first male-produced aggregation pheromone in the genus Megalurothrips and identification of volatile semiochemicals mediating vector thrips species-maize chlorotic mottle virus-host plant interactions.

He is a recipient of several highly competitive awards and fellowships including the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) - Early Career Scientist Award, the prestigious Rothamsted International Award, Rothamsted Research (UK), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Award, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, (Germany), Entomological Society of America (ESA) - Early Professionals (STEP) Award and icipe's Governing Council Award for Best Published Science Paper. He has authored and co-authored several scientific publications in high-impact journals such as Ecology Letters.

Tamiru serves as an editor for ‘Arthropod-Plant Interactions (Springer-Nature)’, Physiological Entomology’, ‘International Journal of Tropical Insect Science’ and ‘Chemical Ecology’ section of ‘Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution journal. He is an active member of several professional bodies including the International Society of Chemical Ecology, the Entomological Society of America, The African Association of Insect Scientists, and the Plant Protection Society of Ethiopia (PPSE).

He is interested in understanding the underlying chemical ecology mechanisms of insect–plant and plant-plant interactions, above-below ground, with the aim of developing innovative, ecologically sustainable, and affordable solutions to manage crop pests that threaten food and nutrition security.