Nairobi, Kenya, December 9, 2024 - The Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), a programme of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Kenya, is excited to announce the launch of Kenya’s first-ever Farmers Resource Guide on alternatives to Highly Hazarders Pesticides (HHPs), a groundbreaking tool designed to promote sustainable and pesticide-free farming practices. This guide is by framers for farmers, offering practical knowledge and tools to help farmers at all experience levels to grow healthy, nutritious food while safeguarding their health, the environment and future generations.
The guide, titled Farmers Resource Guide: Achieving Food Production without Toxic Pesticides, provides clear, actionable instructions on adopting agroecological principles, improving soil health, and controlling pests and diseases without relying on harmful chemicals. It builds on the findings of the 2023 Heinrich Böll Foundation report, Toxic Business: Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Kenya, which revealed that 76% of pesticides used on Kenyan farms are highly hazardous, posing severe risks to human health and the environment.
Joachim Paul, Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Nairobi, emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer farming practices, stating, “Food production systems that rely heavily on pesticides harm the environment and pose serious health risks to farmers, their families, and consumers. This guide serves as a beacon of hope, proving that it is possible and practical to grow food without relying on highly hazardous pesticides—disproving the long-standing narrative that farming without pesticides is unattainable.”
The guide includes easy to follow strategies for preventing pest and diseases to become a problem by building healthy soils, leveraging biodiversity to naturally deter pests, and creating eco-friendly pest control solutions using natural resources. It also provides crop-specific approaches for staple crops like maize and vegetables like tomatoes, cabbages and leafy greens, alongside cultural practices such as crop rotation, mulching, and intercropping to enrich soils and build resilience.
The decision by Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) to ban certain active ingredients by the end of 2024, is supported by many famers, consumers and NGOs. This manual shows that it is possible. Dr. Harun Warui, Lead Programme Coordinator for Food Rights and Agroecology at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, supports this move, stating, “Many Kenyan farmers we have worked with welcome this decision PCPB. Alternatives have always existed, and this Farmers Resource Guide proves that safe and sustainable farming is achievable.
Co – author and lead scientist of the resource guide Dr. Silke Bollmohr, supported this statement saying “I support the decisions by PCPB to ban certain pesticides in Kenya which have also been banned in countries of their origin. This manual shows that it is possible famers especially in Kenya don’t need harmful pesticides. PCPB is on the right track.
For many years, farmers have been made to believe that growing food without pesticides is a mirage. This notion is a myth perpetuated by agrochemical companies and some media outlets to promote pesticide use in the country. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and agroecological approaches, such as crop rotation and organic farming and more, have been proven effective alternatives, providing long-term benefits for both yields and environmental health. These approach emphasize the potential for Kenyan farmers to succeed without relying on harmful pesticides by adopting informed, eco-friendly farming methods.
“The notion that withdrawing these active ingredients will cause a food production crisis is misleading” says Sylvia Kuria, an organic farmer from Ndeiya. As an organic farmer for years I know it’s possible to grow food without toxic pesticides and how effective it is. I am very happy to share my experiences in this farmers guide as one of the authors.”
In addition to supporting farmers, the guide seeks to influence policymakers and agricultural stakeholders by advocating for safer and more sustainable farming practices. The Route to Food Initiative calls on the Kenyan government, agrochemical companies, and civil society organizations to work together to create a resilient and sustainable food system that prioritizes the health of farmers, consumers, and the environment.
Faiba Kombo
Proramme Coordinator, Communications
Heinrich Böll Foundation in Kenya
Email: faiba.komb@ke.boell.org
Phone: 0720871511
About the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Kenya | Uganda | Tanzania
The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Nairobi office programme seeks to advance progressive political and socio-economic transformation through its thematic focus on Sustainable Development, Gender Democracy, Dialogue and Civic Spaces, Agroecology and Food Rights. To amplify our programme work, we support coordinated civic engagement and political/policy dialogues, research, publications and strategic communication. You can find out more on https://ke.boell.org/en
ABOUT THE ROUTE TO FOOD INITIATIVE (RTFI)
The Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) is part of the Agroecology & Food Rights Programme at the Heinrich Boell Foundation, based in Nairobi, Kenya. We work to advance the right to adequate, sufficient, and healthy food. You can find out more on www.routetofood.org.
In a formal and enlightening discussion held recently, a diverse range of interconnected points were brought to the forefront, offering a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities surrounding food security and livelihoods in a region marked by distinct characteristics and complexities. The panel discussions delved deep into these matters, bringing together experts, community leaders, and stakeholders to illuminate the intricate dynamics at play.
The discussions began by addressing the redirection of funds and the vital need for accountability to the community. This highlighted the importance of transparency and responsibility in ensuring that allocated resources effectively contribute to improving food security and livelihoods.
Dr. Hassan's perspective on pastoralism as an old system introduced an historical dimension to the conversation, offering insights into the region's traditional practices. This further amplified the need to harmonize modern practices with traditional methods to ensure sustainable stewardship of pastoral nomadism.
The panelists stressed that policies should not remain generic concepts but must translate into actionable initiatives. They emphasized the need to transition from policy formulation to effective implementation, acknowledging that pastoralism is an evolving concept that requires adaptive strategies. The interconnectedness of various policies was also highlighted, underlining the importance of a holistic approach.
Challenging the conventional notion of water scarcity as the sole issue, the discussions delved into the impact of settlements around water points. These settlements were shown to disrupt traditional practices such as transhumance and rangeland management, ultimately affecting the ecological balance.
Recognizing the value of indigenous knowledge, particularly spiritual and traditional perspectives, the conversation highlighted the importance of incorporating these insights into formal decision-making processes for a more comprehensive and sustainable approach.
The impact of disease control measures on livestock markets was also highlighted along with the practice of sending livestock straight to the slaughterhouse from Marsabit and the exploitation that happens around livestock purchase. The removal of the restriction of a slaughter-only permit sparked discussion on potential solutions.
Emphasis was also placed on acknowledging the community's intrinsic power to drive positive change, the discussions underlined that food security is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all members of society.
The need for organized markets and efficient water systems were highlighted as key components in achieving sustainable food security and livelihoods.
The value of customary knowledge was recognized as a valuable resource in decision-making processes. The concerns about decision makers not sufficiently respecting local knowledge emphasized the need for inclusive collaboration.
The discussions concluded by affirming the existence of inherent solutions and characterizing pastoralism as a low-input system. The mention of age classes of livestock added depth to the exploration of sustainable livestock management.
In essence, the panel discussions uncovered a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives on sustainable development, agriculture, water management, and empowerment. By embracing a multi-dimensional approach, the panelists collectively shed light on the complex dynamics impacting food security and livelihoods in the region. These discussions serve as a reminder of the necessity for continued collaboration and innovation to drive positive change in the pursuit of a more secure and prosperous future.
A Programme of Heinrich Boell Foundation
Prof. Wangari Maathai Road, Nairobi
P.O. Box 10799-00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya
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