Concerns over pests and diseases lead many vegetable farmers in East Africa to use chemical pesticides, which negatively impact human and environmental health.
Biovision's partner organization icipe has developed an ecological approach that prevents crop losses: the Push-Pull method. Specific plants are grown between vegetable rows to repel pests (Push), while other varieties are planted around the field to attract them (Pull). Initially designed for maize and sorghum, this method is now being adapted for vegetable farming.
This project aims to improve the nutrition and income of 3,000 vegetable farmers while contributing to environmental protection.
In addition, the project seeks to strengthen the market for sustainably grown vegetables. An information platform connecting at least 1,500 stakeholders along the value chain will be expanded to foster collaboration and growth.
Project name:
Internationales Insektenforschungsinstitut (Icipe)
World Vegetable Center
Since 2006, Biovision has supported projects promoting the Push-Pull method, always emphasizing close collaboration between research and agriculture.
The Agroveg project has advanced the method to focus solely on various vegetable crops instead of maize. Beneficial insects like ladybugs, biopesticides, and resistant vegetable varieties are being tested in different combinations. Trials have shown that cabbage thrives best when intercropped with rosemary or oregano.
Particular attention is given to traditional African vegetables like amaranth and African nightshade.
The demand for healthy vegetables looks promising: some hotels in Nairobi have already signed contracts with farmers to supply agroecological vegetables at higher prices.
The project operates in key vegetable-growing areas in Kenya (Kiambu and Murang’a counties) and Tanzania (Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions), which face significant pest threats.
We work closely with 20 “Champion Farmers” who test innovative methods, such as a newly identified fungus (Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4) on their fields. This biopesticide effectively combats major diseases in amaranth and other vegetables. These farmers share their knowledge with others and receive support to access essential components like beneficial insects and biopesticides.
The project also trains stakeholders along the vegetable production value chain, including entrepreneurs and policymakers, in agroecological farming practices. Awareness is raised about the benefits and availability of biopesticides and resistant seed varieties.
For example, we aim to register and market a fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 30) that has proven highly effective against insect larvae and other pests affecting amaranth.
To facilitate stakeholder collaboration, an information and networking platform is being further developed to foster exchanges and build capacity across the sector.
