Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa

Biological control for sustainable plant protection in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is gaining attention due to low crop productivity caused by pests, increasing costs of agrochemicals, and their harmful impact on health and the environment. A valuable case is the Push–pull technology (PPT) developed by...

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Main Authors: Olufemi Samson Adesina, Stephen Whitfield, Susannah M. Sallu, Steven M. Sait, Jimmy Pittchar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2023-12-01
Series:International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2232696
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author Olufemi Samson Adesina
Stephen Whitfield
Susannah M. Sallu
Steven M. Sait
Jimmy Pittchar
author_facet Olufemi Samson Adesina
Stephen Whitfield
Susannah M. Sallu
Steven M. Sait
Jimmy Pittchar
author_sort Olufemi Samson Adesina
collection DOAJ
description Biological control for sustainable plant protection in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is gaining attention due to low crop productivity caused by pests, increasing costs of agrochemicals, and their harmful impact on health and the environment. A valuable case is the Push–pull technology (PPT) developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). However, evidence for the success of PPT in reducing pest prevalence has not translated from experimentation and demonstration to wider-scale on-farm uptake. A systematic review was conducted to explore the research gaps, benefits of PPT, adoption determinants, barriers to uptake, and how farmers choose to adopt and adapt the technology. The study found a large body of evidence on the biophysical benefits of PPT, which comes from a relatively narrow set of ICIPE-led or managed experiments in Western Kenya. Besides, evidence of its social and economic benefits is less robust. Documented barriers to adoption include initial establishment costs, labour intensiveness, risk averseness of farmers, socio-cultural rigidity, and inadequate access to information and inputs. The review highlights the need for qualitative research, an in-depth examination of the social dynamics of innovation and decision-making processes on farms, and institutions’ role in shaping innovation for sustainable agricultural development.
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spelling doaj.art-c7256cdb6a7b47e7a0df19e6ab4845e72023-09-20T10:18:01ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Agricultural Sustainability1473-59031747-762X2023-12-0121110.1080/14735903.2023.22326962232696Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan AfricaOlufemi Samson Adesina0Stephen Whitfield1Susannah M. Sallu2Steven M. Sait3Jimmy Pittchar4University of LeedsUniversity of LeedsUniversity of LeedsUniversity of LeedsInternational Centre of Insect Physiology and EcologyBiological control for sustainable plant protection in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is gaining attention due to low crop productivity caused by pests, increasing costs of agrochemicals, and their harmful impact on health and the environment. A valuable case is the Push–pull technology (PPT) developed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). However, evidence for the success of PPT in reducing pest prevalence has not translated from experimentation and demonstration to wider-scale on-farm uptake. A systematic review was conducted to explore the research gaps, benefits of PPT, adoption determinants, barriers to uptake, and how farmers choose to adopt and adapt the technology. The study found a large body of evidence on the biophysical benefits of PPT, which comes from a relatively narrow set of ICIPE-led or managed experiments in Western Kenya. Besides, evidence of its social and economic benefits is less robust. Documented barriers to adoption include initial establishment costs, labour intensiveness, risk averseness of farmers, socio-cultural rigidity, and inadequate access to information and inputs. The review highlights the need for qualitative research, an in-depth examination of the social dynamics of innovation and decision-making processes on farms, and institutions’ role in shaping innovation for sustainable agricultural development.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2232696push–pull technologybiocontrolintegrated pest managementagricultural innovationafrica
spellingShingle Olufemi Samson Adesina
Stephen Whitfield
Susannah M. Sallu
Steven M. Sait
Jimmy Pittchar
Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa
International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
push–pull technology
biocontrol
integrated pest management
agricultural innovation
africa
title Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa
title_full Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa
title_fullStr Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa
title_full_unstemmed Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa
title_short Bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research: a systematic review of push–pull biocontrol technology in sub-Saharan Africa
title_sort bridging the gap in agricultural innovation research a systematic review of push pull biocontrol technology in sub saharan africa
topic push–pull technology
biocontrol
integrated pest management
agricultural innovation
africa
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2023.2232696
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