The document discusses biotech crops in Africa and new strategies for controlling the "vampire weed" Striga, a major pest of corn. It explains that the area of transgenic crops has increased globally but remains concentrated in a few countries and crops. A new strategy called "push-pull" is highlighted, which uses a repellent plant intercropped with an attractant plant to control Striga, increasing yields significantly compared to traditional methods in studies in Kenya. The strategy taps into natural pest control using the plants rather than chemicals.

1. Biotech, African Corn, and the
Vampire Weed
by Brian Halweil

2. Global Area of Transgenic Crops Has Exploded, But Remains
Powerfully Concentrated in Two Ways. . .

3. Major Pests of Maize in Africa
10-20% loss15-40% loss

4. The Improved Fallow Strategy.

7. The Push-Pull Strategy in the Field

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Trans-Nzoia Suba
Control
Habitat
management
Average Yield Advantages of Habitat Management
Technologies in Kenya

10. Tapping into natural capital— ”billions
and billions of free workers.”