Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa

Abstract The push-pull technology (PPT) has often been presented as a management strategy for stemborers and witchweed. However, its value as an agronomic practice and an agroecological approach remains largely underappreciated. This review aims to appraise the PPT used in eastern Africa, synthesize...

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Main Authors: Gudeta W. Sileshi, Shem Kuyah, Meredith C. Schuman, Frank Chidawanyika, Beatrice W. Muriithi, Charles A. O. Midega, Adewole Olagoke, Michael H. Otim, Paramu L. Mafongoya, Emily A. Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Sustainable Agriculture
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00069-x
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author Gudeta W. Sileshi
Shem Kuyah
Meredith C. Schuman
Frank Chidawanyika
Beatrice W. Muriithi
Charles A. O. Midega
Adewole Olagoke
Michael H. Otim
Paramu L. Mafongoya
Emily A. Martin
author_facet Gudeta W. Sileshi
Shem Kuyah
Meredith C. Schuman
Frank Chidawanyika
Beatrice W. Muriithi
Charles A. O. Midega
Adewole Olagoke
Michael H. Otim
Paramu L. Mafongoya
Emily A. Martin
author_sort Gudeta W. Sileshi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The push-pull technology (PPT) has often been presented as a management strategy for stemborers and witchweed. However, its value as an agronomic practice and an agroecological approach remains largely underappreciated. This review aims to appraise the PPT used in eastern Africa, synthesize evidence for its ecological and economic benefits, and identify barriers to its adoption and opportunities for its expansion to other crops and farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
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id doaj-art-e8652b630b884567aadd6ff313dd2564
institution DOAJ
issn 2731-9202
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Sustainable Agriculture
spelling doaj-art-e8652b630b884567aadd6ff313dd25642025-08-20T03:22:03ZengNature Portfolionpj Sustainable Agriculture2731-92022025-05-013111010.1038/s44264-025-00069-xOpportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in AfricaGudeta W. Sileshi0Shem Kuyah1Meredith C. Schuman2Frank Chidawanyika3Beatrice W. Muriithi4Charles A. O. Midega5Adewole Olagoke6Michael H. Otim7Paramu L. Mafongoya8Emily A. Martin9Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)Departments of Geography and Chemistry, University of ZurichInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)Poverty and Health Integrated Solutions (PHIS)Institute of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of GießenNational Crops Resources Research InstituteSchool of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-NatalInstitute of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of GießenAbstract The push-pull technology (PPT) has often been presented as a management strategy for stemborers and witchweed. However, its value as an agronomic practice and an agroecological approach remains largely underappreciated. This review aims to appraise the PPT used in eastern Africa, synthesize evidence for its ecological and economic benefits, and identify barriers to its adoption and opportunities for its expansion to other crops and farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00069-x
spellingShingle Gudeta W. Sileshi
Shem Kuyah
Meredith C. Schuman
Frank Chidawanyika
Beatrice W. Muriithi
Charles A. O. Midega
Adewole Olagoke
Michael H. Otim
Paramu L. Mafongoya
Emily A. Martin
Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa
npj Sustainable Agriculture
title Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa
title_full Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa
title_fullStr Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa
title_short Opportunities for expansion of push-pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in Africa
title_sort opportunities for expansion of push pull technology as an agroecological and sustainable intensification approach in africa
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00069-x
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