In the face of climate change, pest infestations, and declining soil fertility, smallholder farmers across Africa are grappling with dwindling crop yields and food insecurity. However, a groundbreaking solution is changing this narrative: push-pull farming technology (PPT). Pioneered by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and promoted by Justice and Mercy (JAM) Community Integrated Project, this innovative, eco-friendly approach is helping farmers combat destructive pests, rejuvenate their soils, and significantly boost productivity—without relying on expensive chemical inputs.
Push-pull farming technology (PPT) serves as a
transformative approach that directly contributes to multiple Sustainable
Development Goals while supporting Kenya's Vision 2030. At the global level,
PPT addresses SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by significantly
increasing crop yields and reducing input costs, enabling smallholder farmers
to escape poverty cycles while securing reliable food production. The
technology's climate-smart design, featuring drought-resistant companion crops
and enhanced soil carbon storage, makes it a powerful tool for achieving SDG 13
(Climate Action) by building resilience in vulnerable agricultural systems.
Furthermore, by eliminating harmful pesticides and preventing soil degradation,
PPT actively supports SDG 15 (Life on Land) through ecosystem restoration and
biodiversity conservation.
At the national level, PPT perfectly aligns with Kenya's
Vision 2030 agricultural transformation agenda. The technology modernizes
small-scale farming through sustainable intensification, directly supporting
the government's Big Four Agenda on food security and nutrition. Its
climate-adaptive nature promotes climate-smart agriculture practices
nationwide, while its integrated approach strengthens rural economies through
agro-ecological solutions that increase productivity without compromising
environmental health. As Kenya works toward its development blueprint, PPT
emerges as a practical, scalable solution that bridges the gap between farmer
needs, environmental sustainability, and national development priorities -
creating a sustainable pathway for agricultural transformation that benefits
both people and the planet.
Push-pull technology offers a natural, sustainable, and
cost-effective way to protect staple crops like maize and sorghum from major
threats such as stemborers and striga weed, while simultaneously improving soil
health and supporting livestock production. By integrating scientifically
proven companion planting techniques, PPT empowers farmers to break free from
the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation, paving the way for
resilient, climate-smart agriculture. Through training, demonstration farms,
and farmer-led adoption, JAM is at the forefront of bringing this
transformative technology to rural communities.
Justice and Mercy (JAM) Community Integrated Project
promotes push-pull farming technology (PPT) as an innovative, eco-friendly
method to boost crop yields, control pests, and improve soil fertility for
smallholder farmers. This approach, developed through research by the
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and partners,
combats destructive pests like stemborers and parasitic striga weed, which
severely damage staple crops such as maize and sorghum.
The system works by "pushing" pests away from the
main crop using repellent plants like desmodium, a legume intercropped with
cereals. Desmodium emits natural chemicals that deter stemborer moths while
also suppressing striga weed growth. Simultaneously, "pull" plants
such as Napier grass or Brachiaria are planted around field borders to attract
and trap pests away from the main crop. These grasses also serve as high-quality
livestock fodder, integrating crop and animal farming for greater
productivity.
Beyond pest control, push-pull farming enhances soil health
by fixing nitrogen, improving moisture retention, and reducing erosion. It also
helps farmers adapt to climate change by using drought-resistant companion
plants. By reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, PPT lowers
production costs while increasing yields—often doubling or tripling harvests
compared to conventional methods.
JAM supports smallholder farmers in adopting this low-cost,
sustainable technology through training, demonstration plots, and access to
quality seeds. Push-pull aligns with JAM’s mission to promote food security,
environmental conservation, and economic resilience in rural communities. With
its multiple benefits, this technology empowers farmers to achieve higher
incomes, better nutrition, and long-term farming sustainability.
As climate change and land degradation continue to threaten
food security across Africa, push-pull farming technology (PPT) stands out as a
proven, sustainable solution that addresses multiple agricultural challenges at
once. By harnessing the power of nature through strategic companion planting,
smallholder farmers can effectively combat pests like stemborers and striga
weed, revitalize their soils, and dramatically increase crop yields—all while
reducing dependence on costly chemical inputs.
The success of PPT lies not only in its scientific
foundation but in its practical, farmer-friendly approach. As demonstrated by
the work of Justice and Mercy (JAM) Community Integrated Project, when farmers
are equipped with the right knowledge, resources, and support, they can
transform their fields into productive, resilient, and eco-friendly systems
that benefit both people and the environment.
The impact of push-pull technology extends far beyond
individual harvests—it represents a pathway out of poverty, a safeguard against
climate shocks, and a sustainable model for future generations. As more farmers
adopt this innovation, the potential for improved food security, economic
empowerment, and environmental conservation grows exponentially.
JAM remains committed to expanding access to this
life-changing technology, proving that with the right solutions, Africa’s
smallholder farmers can overcome adversity and cultivate a future of abundance.
The push-pull revolution is here, and its promise is as fertile as the fields
it nurtures.