Farmers’ perceived pathways for further intensification of push-pull systems in Western Kenya

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

Sustainable Food Systems

Emily A. Martin¹  Shem Kuyah²  Sylvia Imbuhila Buleti²  Moses Gichua²  Samuel Were²  Adewole Olagoke³  Frank Chidawanyika⁴ 

[1] Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany;Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya;Institute of Geobotany, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany;Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany;International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya;Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa;

关键词: push-pull technology;    crop-livestock farming;    legume integration;    agroforestry;    sustainable intensification;    eco-friendly farming;    smallholder cereal system;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fsufs.2023.1191038

 received in 2023-03-21, accepted in 2023-08-03,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Push-pull technology provides farmers in East Africa with an eco-friendly strategy that increases crop yield and household income in smallholder cereal systems by controlling pests and improving soil health. Though promising for a sustainably intensified production, push-pull has been used at limited scale, primarily in maize-and sorghum-based production systems. Expanding the scope, applicability and acceptance of the practice in smallholder farming systems, will leverage the full potential of push-pull as a widely applicable sustainable farming practice. Using key informant interviews and focus group discussions, we explored farmers’ needs and perceived pathways for integrating push-pull and other sustainable intensification practices in synergy with existing cropping systems in Kisumu, Vihiga and Siaya Counties in Western Kenya. We found that farmers in the region typically grow and intercrop a variety of crops, with maize being the most common crop. Farmers commonly practice crop-livestock farming, intercropping, crop rotation, manure and fertilizer use, and use improved varieties to increase maize production. Across the counties, integration of food legumes, agroforestry and crop-livestock farming, were identified as fundamental pathways for stretching the benefits of push-pull. Limitations to farmers’ aspirations and key enablers for facilitating spontaneous adoption of identified sustainable intensification practices for push-pull farming systems are discussed.

【 授权许可】

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Copyright © 2023 Buleti, Kuyah, Olagoke, Gichua, Were, Chidawanyika and Martin.