Integration of edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) into the push–pull technology

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One of the bottlenecks hindering rapid uptake of the push-pull technology is the fact that the intercrop, desmodium, although quality fodder, is not an edible plant for humans and replaces beans which are traditionally interplanted with maize. Beans constitute a major source of protein for the resource-poor farmers that cannot be compensated by a higher consumption of dairy products and meat that result from the fodder component provided by desmodium. Therefore, in an effort to address this constraint, we undertook a series of studies in Kenya to (i) assess farmers’ general practice of intercropping maize with beans and how the crops are interplanted; (ii) farmers’ willingness to incorporate beans in their push-pull plots; (iii) farmers preferred planting arrangement to include beans in the push-pull plots; (iv) the agronomic and (v) economic benefits of integrating beans in the push-pull system. More.....