Kenyan farmers to benefit from Sh35.5 million project to reduce pesticide use and boost exports

Farmers in Kenya, Benin, and Zambia are set to benefit from a Sh35.5 million project aimed at reducing harmful pesticide use, improving crop yields, and enhancing fresh produce exports.

The initiative, funded by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), seeks to address frequent rejections of Kenyan vegetables in European markets due to high pesticide residue levels.

The project takes effect from April and will run for two and a half years. It comes ahead of the new EU regulations on fresh produce.

Speaking during the launch of the Nature-based Microbial Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa (NAMSSA) project, Dr. Joseph Mulema, Senior Scientist at CABI’s Regional Centre for Africa, said the programme will support biopesticide registration, farmer training, and agri-input distribution.

“We are working with private sector players, researchers, and universities to introduce nature-based farming solutions to combat pests and soil depletion,” Dr. Mulema said.

Mulema also noted that farmers attribute 40 per cent of their losses to pests like army worms. In some cases losses can exceed 100 per cent and therefore the move will help them tackle that as well as soil-borne ailments.

In Kenya, the project is collaborating with Twiga Chemicals to introduce XenTari, a biological insecticide targeting caterpillar pests on broccoli.

Similar initiatives will be implemented in Benin, focusing on maize in partnership with the University of Abomey-Calavi, and in Zambia, where Exotic Green Enterprises will work with legume farmers.

Broccoli farmers

Kenya exports broccoli to the Middle East and Europe, but pesticide residue levels have been a major barrier to market access.

Twiga Chemicals Technical Manager, Edward Kitui, said that introducing XenTari will help farmers meet Maximum Residue Level (MRL) standards, boosting export opportunities.

“Our goal is to train 5,000 farmers through programmes that involve extension officers, stockists, and growers, ensuring they adopt sustainable crop protection practices,” Kitui said.

He noted that Kenya also targets to export other brassicas such as cabbage, cauliflower and other vegetables in that family.

Dr. Elena Benedetti, Head of Fundraising and Technology Transfer at ICGEB, said the project is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to enhance bio-inoculant solutions for food security in Africa.

“This initiative aims to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, which have economic and environmental drawbacks, and promote locally developed, sustainable solutions,” she said.

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The project comes at a time when the EU has tightened inspections on Kenyan fresh produce, especially roses, due to repeated detections of False Codling Moth (FCM).

By promoting nature-based pest control methods, the initiative is expected to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural exports and ensure compliance with international market standards.