Integrated Pest Management ICIPE
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) Farmer participatory trials in 1997 and 1998 have shown significant yield increases in maize. The aim is now to develop a maize-based cropping system that will reduce yield losses due to both stem borer and Striga and at the same time improve soil fertility due to nitrogen-fixing action of Desmodium. Such a redesigned and diverse system has many of the characteristics of `traditional’ farms in Kenya. ICIPE has trained a network of farmer teachers and now over 3000 farmers have adopted these push-pull technologies.
Source: "Promoting Production and Trading Opportunities for Organic Agricultural Products in East Africa - Capacity Building Study 3: Organic Agriculture and Food Security in East Africa" by Rachel Hine and Jules Pretty, May 2007; Published by For United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at Centre for Environment and Society at University of Essex")