ABSTRACT

Across sub-Saharan Africa, climate change is exacerbating pest problems for smallholder farmers. Push-pull technology (PPT) is an agronomic package designed to reduce the effects of Striga and stemborers on maize and sorghum production. As PPT is promoted in new areas, including Ethiopia, there is a need to review the evidence that the technology helps farmers mitigate or adapt to climate change. Furthermore, proponents need to consider whether tasks associated with establishing and maintaining PPT may worsen existing gender burdens. We assess whether PPT is climate- and gender-smart based on a review of 40 publications that included field experiments or farmer surveys. We find strong evidence that intercropping with drought-tolerant Desmodium effectively reduces Striga abundance and enhances grain yield. Although gender influences PPT adoption, there is a lack of knowledge about additional labor requirements for women. We recommend research focusing on 1) the efficacy of PPT under different climate conditions, 2) optimal timing of planting push and pull species; 3) evaluation of fodder outputs; 4) water requirements associated with establishment; and 5) implications for gender burden across cultural contexts. We suggest a participatory approach that integrates farmers’ perspectives to support climate mitigation, adaptation, and gender equity.

摘要

在整个撒哈拉以南非洲，气候变化正在加剧小农的虫害问题。推拉技术 (PPT) 是一种农艺包，旨在减少独脚金和茎螟对玉米和高粱生产的影响。随着 PPT 在包括埃塞俄比亚在内的新地区的推广，有必要审查该技术有助于农民缓解或适应气候变化的证据。此外，支持者需要考虑与建立和维护 PPT 相关的任务是否会加重现有的性别负担。我们根据对包括田间试验或农民调查在内的 40 份出版物的审查来评估 PPT 是否具有气候和性别智能。我们发现强有力的证据表明与耐旱的金钱草间作有效地减少了独脚金丰度并提高粮食产量。尽管性别会影响 PPT 的采用，但对女性的额外劳动力要求缺乏了解。我们建议重点研究 1) PPT 在不同气候条件下的功效，2) 种植推拉树种的最佳时机；3) 饲料产量评估；4) 与企业相关的用水要求；5) 跨文化背景对性别负担的影响。我们建议采用一种参与式方法，将农民的观点结合起来，以支持气候减缓、适应和性别平等。