List Of Banned Pesticides In Kenya
Farmers groups have vowed to fight the proposal that Kenya bans some of the commonly-used pesticides.
The pressure for a ban comes from organic food groups and the “farm to fork” strategy by the European Union.
Farmers in Eastern and Central Kenya said small-holders would be hardest-hit if Kenya bows to the pressure.
Studies from Egerton University showed Kenya would lose Sh150 billion in one year through reduced harvests if it bowed to pressure and banned the pesticides.
Speaking to the Star, Kirinyaga Tomato Growers Association coordinator Peter Gachoki said there is no way to produce tomatoes without using imidacloprid or chlorpyrifos, two of the chemicals targeted.
“The improved varieties are very vulnerable to attacks by insects and diseases. The organic ways we have been taught do not work well,” he told the Star in Mwea.
Kirinyaga is Kenya’s biggest tomato producer.
“Our tomatoes are sold locally, mostly in Nairobi. So we don’t see why the government wants to harm food security to please Europe,” he said.
The EU’s Food to Fork strategy outlines how the bloc wants to overhaul its food system to make it “fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.”
This is mainly by reducing the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50 per cent and lowering fertiliser use by 20 per cent by 2030.
In this article Keweb.co tries to answer the question by publishing the full list of Banned Pesticides in Kenya
Below are the full List of Banned Pesticides In Kenya
| # | COMMON NAME | REMARK |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benomyl, Carbofuran/Thiram combinations | Dustable powder formulations containing a combination of Benomyl below 7%, Carbofuran below 10% and Thiram below 15%. |
| 2 | DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane) | Insecticide, restricted use to Public Health only for mosquito control for indoor residual spray by Ministry of Health. Banned for agricultural use. |
| 3 | Ethyl Parathion | Insecticide, capsule suspension formulations allowed in 1998. |
| 4 | Methyl parathion | Insecticide, capsule suspension formulations allowed in 1998. |
| 5 | Phosphamidon | Insecticide, Soluble liquid formulations of the substance that is below1000g active ingredient/L. |
What is the most harmful pesticide?
The worst pesticides include Atrazine, Flupyradifurone, Hexachlorobenzene, Glyphosate, Methomyl, and Rotenone. Based on WHO data, they are particular hazards b/c of: (1) bioaccumulation; (2) persistence in water, soil/ sediment; (3) toxicity to aquatic organisms; and (4) toxicity to bees/ ecosystem services.