Our Experience with Push and Pull Method
At the end of March 2010, we implemented our Push & Pull on our maize for the first time. The test field area is approximately 1 acre (4300 metres square). In the previous years we had planted maize on exactly the same field and we can compare with these years where we did not use Push and Pull.
Preparation , Planting And Management of the Maize field
The application of Push and Pull maize field is generally more demanding than the usual cultivation here in our region.
After approximately a month and again after four months the weeds must be removed by hand so that the initially small desmodium plants can be able to grow well. This work is especially intensive in the first year and it can pose a challenge for large farms the hand labour costs money.
The Push and Pull maize is applied less fertilizer than the conventional maize growing methods. We finally applied a little CAN after a month.
Experiences during the Growth
We could generally find out that the Push and Pull maize grow fast and produce strong stems. In direct comparison with quality of our neighbours around us which were planted using the usual conventional method, our Push and Pull maize every time became massively better.
Solid thicker stems of up to 5 centimetres , no parasite infestation, more cobs on a stalk; usually 2 often 3 cobs. Even a massive hailstorm could do no harm to these crops. After the storm, we had to manually erect some plants, but it did not affect the growth in any way.
The Harvest
On 15. October 2010 we brought in the harvest. It also happened a little different with Push and Pull. The maize plants we taken one by one out of the field. The desmodium and the napier grass rows remain on the field and they can even stay on the field for over 5 years and can be harvested every time.