On February 3, 2025, more than 160 farmers gathered at the Nyakabindi Knowledge Exchange Hub (KEH) in the Simiyu region of Tanzania for a hands-on Farmers Field Day hosted by the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) in collaboration with UPSCALE and ICIPE. This knowledge-sharing event marked another important milestone in the promotion of Push-Pull Technology, a climate-smart farming method that is helping smallholder farmers fight pests, improve soil fertility, and increase yields without costly inputs.
Farmers Understanding of Push-Pull technology
Push-Pull is an innovative cropping system that uses Desmodium (a legume that “pushes” pests away from the main crop) and Brachiaria grass (which “pulls” them in and traps them). The method controls destructive pests like Fall Armyworm and suppresses Striga weeds, a major threat to maize production in East Africa. Push-Pull does more than just protect crops:
- It conserves moisture in the soil
- Improves nitrogen content through Desmodium’s root system
- Provides valuable fodder for livestock
- And reduces weeding costs by covering the ground naturally
The feedback from farmers was enthusiastic and full of promise.
“From what I have seen, this technology also helps reduce the cost of weeding because Desmodium covers the soil and suppresses weed growth,” said Godfrey William, a farmer from Nyakabindi.
“I have learned that it is easy to reduce the generation of harmful insects by only using plants because if a pest lays eggs on plants surrounding the farm (Brachiaria), the eggs will be destroyed. We would like TARI to keep reaching us with this knowledge so that we can produce maize at an affordable cost instead of spending much on buying high-cost pesticides,” said by Elia Shigalu, a resident of Gagabali village.
This exchange of experiences and insights is exactly what UPSCALE aims to foster: farmer-led transformation through innovation and knowledge.
What’s Next?
Following the success of the Farmers Field Day, efforts will now focus on expanding the adoption of Push-Pull Technology across the Simiyu Region. To support this, interested farmers will be provided with Desmodium seeds to help them establish their own push-pull plots. In addition, the TARI team will continue to offer ongoing follow-up and technical support, ensuring that farmers receive the guidance they need during the early stages of implementation. These next steps are essential for sustaining the momentum built during the field day and ensuring long-term impact.
Special thanks to the European Commission for funding this activity through the UPSCALE project, TARI for coordinating and authorising the field day, and most importantly, the farmers of Simiyu for their active participation and commitment to sustainable agriculture.
