Kichawi Kill: Striga Bioherbicide

Mitigating Africa’s worst pest threat to food security by revolutionizing crop protection with a biological and sustainable weed control alternative.

This technology is a selective biological herbicide that farmers apply as a seed coating to boost their crop yields. This groundbreaking innovation is one of the first bioherbicides to be commercialized worldwide. It uses strains of a specific Kenyan fungus, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. strigae, which have been selected for their ability to over-produce certain amino acids that kill Striga (witchweed) without harming maize. Normally, Fusarium oxysporum isn’t strong enough to protect crops from Striga. However, by choosing strains that over-produce specific amino acids, the fungus can effectively reduce Striga infestations and restore crop yields. This is the first technology to combine the benefits of amino acid inhibition with fungal pathogens.

This technology is pre-validated.

9•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 8/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive high

Women: Positive medium

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Problem

Striga, an invasive parasitic weed, attacks the roots of staple crops like maize and sorghum, reducing crop yield by 20–100%.
50 million hectares of croplands (40 million farms) in sub-Saharan Africa show Striga infestation, causing $9+ billion in crop loss annually.
Striga plants produce over 50,000 seeds per season, adding to the soil seed bank.
The seeds of striga can spread easily across farms and from one farm to the next through wind, human and animal traffic, and farming tools.

Solution

Kichawi Kill is a groundbreaking solution for managing Striga and other global weed problems.
Using this herbicide has resulted in a 42-56% increase in crop yields.
The approval of the fungi seed coating product has significantly reduced its cost and increased its shelf life.
This technology offers a safe, effective, and affordable alternative to traditional chemical herbicides.

Key points to design your project

The striga bioherbicide technology targets Striga (witchweed), a parasitic weed that causes significant yield losses in staple crops such as maize and sorghum. With a positive impact on crop productivity and food security, it is easily applicable in dispersed farming communities, particularly benefiting smallholder farmers, women, and young people. This contributes to reducing poverty, hunger, and improving overall well-being.

To integrate this technology into your project, create a list of project activities and prerequisites, including:
Raising awareness among farmers about the benefits and availability of Striga bioherbicide.
Providing access to seed treatment for community-based and commercial seed multipliers, and by agro-dealers.
Linking producers to financial support and markets.
Estimate the quantity of bioherbicide needed for your project, knowing that they are three package sizes: 15.50 USD to treat 10kg of maize seed, 7.25 USD to treat 5kg of maize seed, and 3.10 USD to treat 2kg of maize seed.

As the technology is available in several countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.

Training is important because treating seeds requires knowledge and skills to be performed properly and safely. A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.).

For better optimization of this technology, it is recommended to associate it with complementary technologies such as improved seed varieties, integrated pest management strategies, and sustainable farming practices.

3.1 USD

Retail prices to treat 2kg of maize seed (0.2 acre)

ROI: $$$ 42—56 %

Yield increased

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Cameroon	Tested	–Not adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	–Not adopted
Ghana	Tested	–Not adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	–Not adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–		–
Semiarid	–		–
Subhumid		–		–
Humid	–	–	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 5: gender equality

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure

Goal 15: life on land

Goal 17: partnerships for the goals

Kichawi Kill is administered by:

Mixing our product packet with a small quantity of water, and combining the mixture with farmers' seeds.
The coating is allowed to dry in the shade for 15 minutes and then is ready to be planted.
The seed should be treated within 24 hours of use if possible.
Kichawi Kill is administered at planting.
The shelf life of an unopened packet is 3 months at room temperature, 6 months in a refrigerator, and a year in a freezer.

Last updated on 30 August 2024