From Pesticides to Eco-friendly Solutions
The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has become one of the most serious threats to maize production in Zambia. Farmers have often resorted to chemical pesticides, many of which are expensive, unsafe, and harmful to biodiversity.
Agroecological alternatives are emerging that can both protect farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard the environment. At the Marketplace Session of the SNRD Africa Conference 2025 in Lusaka, the Zambian Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) presented practical Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that combine indigenous knowledge, ecological methods, and scientific innovation.
🎥 Watch the Video 👇
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Learn more
From Pesticides to Eco-friendly Solutions
The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has become one of the most serious threats to maize production in Zambia. Farmers have often resorted to chemical pesticides, many of which are expensive, unsafe, and harmful to biodiversity.
Agroecological alternatives are emerging that can both protect farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard the environment. At the Marketplace Session of the SNRD Africa Conference 2025 in Lusaka, the Zambian Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) presented practical Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that combine indigenous knowledge, ecological methods, and scientific innovation.
🎥 Watch the Video 👇
French captions available in the YouTube player.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
From Pesticides to Eco-friendly Solutions
The Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has become one of the most serious threats to maize production in Zambia. Farmers have often resorted to chemical pesticides, many of which are expensive, unsafe, and harmful to biodiversity.
Agroecological alternatives are emerging that can both protect farmers’ livelihoods and safeguard the environment. At the Marketplace Session of the SNRD Africa Conference 2025 in Lusaka, the Zambian Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) presented practical Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that combine indigenous knowledge, ecological methods, and scientific innovation.
🎥 Watch the Video 👇
French captions available in the YouTube player.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more
Agroecological Solutions in Practice
1. Push–Pull Technology
By intercropping maize with Desmodium (push crop) and surrounding fields with Brachiaria grass (pull crop), farmers can disrupt the life cycle of the Fall Armyworm. The moths are repelled by Desmodium and attracted to Brachiaria, where their larvae cannot survive. This approach also improves soil fertility, retains moisture, and provides nutritious fodder for livestock.
2. Pheromone Traps
Simple traps containing pheromones attract male moths, reducing fertilization and providing farmers with early warning signs of infestation. This surveillance tool is cost-effective and helps avoid unnecessary pesticide use.
3. Biological Control with Parasitoids
Two types of parasitoids — egg parasitoids (Telenomus remus) and larval parasitoids (Cotesia spp.) — naturally suppress Fall Armyworm populations by laying eggs inside the pest’s eggs or larvae. This form of biological control reduces reliance on chemicals and promotes ecological balance.
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About the Organic Farming Africa Blog
Welcome to The Organic Farming Africa Blog, your dedicated source for sustainable farming practices and organic solutions tailored for African farmers. We understand the unique challenges you face – from soil health, crop protection, water conservation and much more.
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Our blog is designed to address these problems, offering practical, tested strategies and insights to enhance your farming practices sustainably. If you cannot find a solution to a specific issue within our articles, we’re here to help. Please reach out to us and we’ll connect you with the answers and support you need. Join us in our journey towards a greener, more sustainable future for African agriculture. The articles are authored by KCOA’s multipliers and edited by our Knowledge Promotion Team.
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Author: Pascal Corbé
Pascal is a communications for development all-rounder with 25+ years of experience in multicultural settings and cooperative network environments, ten of which in Africa.
One Response
Great insights.