Grass-Rows Technology: Using Native Grasses to Increase Yield of Maize, Sorghum and Millet - A Step-by-Step Guide for Farmers

Authors

• J. Pitcher, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
• E. Kidiyai, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
• Z. R. Khan, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
• R. S. Copeland, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

Files

Description

Foreword

Many types of wild grasses grow in Africa. Utilising some of these wild native grasses to drive off insect pests from cultivated cereal grasses can improve farmers’ livelihoods. Native grasses are being used in Ethiopia, Kenya and Mali for stemborer control in maize, sorghum and millet in what is being referred to as the ‘grass-rows technology’. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), have developed this technology to prevent attack on these important cultivated cereal grasses.

This manual, developed under the regional project ‘Conservation of Gramineae and Associated Arthropods for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Africa’, has been compiled to guide African farmers and frontline extension staff on how to establish and manage grass-rows plots. It is expected that the information contained in this manual will enhance adoption of this technology and increase the production of cultivated grasses like maize, sorghum and millet in Africa due to the low pest damage. Some other benefits to small-scale resource-poor farmers in Africa include improved livestock production from the excellent feed produced from the native wild grasses, and the production of handicrafts made from them, as well as the increased availability of material for building houses.

ICIPE is coordinating this project with co-financing support from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and implementation support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). ICIPE and the authors of this manual thank these organisations for their support for the production of this manual and for funding this research.

Prof. Christian Borgemeister Director General International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

ISBN

92 9064 178 9

Publication Date

2006

Publisher

ICIPE Science Press, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

City

Nairobi, Kenya

Recommended Citation

Pitcher, J., Kidiyai, E., Khan, Z. R., & Copeland, R. S. (2006). Grass-Rows Technology: Using Native Grasses to Increase Yield of Maize, Sorghum and Millet - A Step-by-Step Guide for Farmers. Retrieved from https://thehive.icipe.org/manuals/18