Project

Pesticide Management Initiative in the East African Region: Kenya

Contributing to sustainable agricultural production in Kenya, Wageningen University & Research coordinates a project that supports Integrated Pest Management (IPM), food safety and the reduction of risks of pest control product use. The project is part of a larger initiative on harmonization of pesticide management in the East-African Region.

Transformation

Eastern African countries are in the process of intensifying their agriculture to meet national demands for food and to increase agricultural exports. New crops have begun to replace traditional crops either as potential export commodities or as substitutes for imports. Many of the practices being used currently however rely heavily on the input of broad spectrum hazardous agro chemicals for pest, disease and weed control. Uptake of alternative management strategies that have been developed is limited to relatively small groups of farmers. A fundamental change concerning the use of integrated crop management methods is necessary to make a real difference.

ins1000.jpg
bea1000.jpg

East African Region

Pesticide Management Initiative East African Region is a programme that aims at moving towards a regionally harmonized system focussing on pest control product registration. Kenya will pilot the programme as its registration system is perceived as the most developed one in the region. Experiences obtained in Kenya will be disseminated to the East African Community (EAC) and will feed into potential follow-up projects to be executed in other East African countries.

Aim & Approach

The project’s specific aim is to stimulate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and to improve the structure, clarity and the procedures of pest control product registration. This is achieved by supporting: (i) the use and availability of biological pest control products as part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), (ii) the use of low risk chemical pest control products instead of (highly) hazardous ones, (iii) alignment of IPM training programs, (iv) networking and information sharing on IPM and judicious use of pest control products, (v) surveys to underpin policy making as part of the post-registration.

Target groups

The target groups in Kenya include: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Pest Control Product Board (PCPB), Private sector stakeholders e.g. biological producers, chemical producers, farmers organisations and the East African Community (EAC).