Key Points:
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Misuse = Bigger Loss
Wrong pesticide or wrong timing lets pests survive—losses can climb past 40% while money drains fast.
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Hidden Health & Market Risk
Overdosing leaves toxic residues on food, harms farmers, and can lock you out of premium export markets.
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Safer Path: Clinics + IPM
Plant Health Clinics + IPM reduce chemical dependence, protect soil, and keep yields steady with smarter control.
Pesticides are a farmer’s shield against weeds, insects, and disease. Nearly nine out of ten small-scale farmers rely on them, with half reaching for herbicides and a tenth for fungicides. Yet, on the shelves, counterfeit and banned products lurk, turning this shield into a hidden threat.
Trouble is brewing in the fields, as many farmers confess to overusing pesticides, with more than 85% applying doses well above safe levels. Others simply follow the agrovet’s advice, unaware of the chemicals’ true nature or the silent damage they cause to both harvests and health.
The high price of ignorance
Misusing pesticides or picking banned chemicals comes at a steep price. Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) do not just threaten the land—they endanger farmers, families, and the food on our tables. These toxins strip the soil of life, shrinking harvests and robbing crops of their nutrition. Worryingly, traces of HHPs have been detected in everyday staples such as tomatoes, maize, wheat, coffee, and potatoes.
Many developing countries are paying the price as farmers continue to use pesticides banned in other parts of the world. Turning a blind eye is dangerous, especially as climate change, food shortages, and a rising population put even more pressure on already-strained food systems.
How farmers misuse pesticides
There are several ways farmers misuse pesticides. First, a farmer may use the wrong product for a specific pest. For instance, most farmers tend to use broad-spectrum insecticides such as Duduthrin (containing deltamethrin) or other pyrethroids from local agrovets to control the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in maize.
These pesticides may be easy on the wallet, but they miss their mark, leaving hidden larvae untouched inside the maize. The result? Crops continue to suffer, sometimes with losses soaring above 40 per cent, and hard-earned money goes down the drain.
Misjudging the dose is another pitfall. Too little, and pests grow stronger, turning future battles into uphill struggles. Too much, and toxic residues linger in food, making it unsafe for families and shutting the door to export markets like the European Union.
The “Agrovet” dilemma and counterfeit risks
Farmers often turn to two sources for guidance: extension officers and the neighbourhood agrovet. Yet, agrovets are usually more interested in ringing up sales than solving problems. This leaves farmers with poor advice, and sometimes with a cocktail of chemicals that does more harm than good.
There is the danger of purchasing counterfeit or banned pesticides in Kenya. Some brands have a habit of changing their names when entering a new market, so no one notices.
A few unscrupulous traders repackage expired or dangerous chemicals, even those banned by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), and sell them at bargain prices.
A farmer checking on their crops. Photo: Richard Nyoni on Unsplash
New hope: plant health clinics
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the Government of Kenya have taken steps to help farmers use pesticides correctly. They set up ‘Plant Health Clinics’ that work like health centres, but for crops.
KALRO started plant health clinics in five counties: Homa Bay, Nandi, Migori, Kakamega, and Bungoma. Farmers bring a sample of the diseased plant to the clinic. Agroecologists there provide free diagnoses and expert advice on managing pesticides.
Practising pesticide safety for farmers
Knowing which pesticide to use is only half the battle; applying it safely is just as crucial. Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shields farmers from dangerous fumes and splashes that can lead to lifelong health issues, including lung and skin diseases.
Farmers must also respect the Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI), the crucial waiting period between the last spray and harvest. Skipping this step can leave harmful residues on crops, making them unsafe to eat and unfit for sale.
Integrated pest management (IPM) in Kenya
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a smarter path for Kenyan farmers. By blending biological, cultural, and physical tactics, IPM keeps pests in check while saving money. Chemicals are still part of the mix, but only in ways that safeguard people, animals, and the land.
A cornerstone of IPM is enlisting nature’s own pest fighters. Farmers can introduce beneficial insects or fungi that target pests without harming crops. For instance, earwigs feast on fall armyworms in cornfields, while ladybugs make quick work of aphids—no chemicals required.
The Role of the PCPB and Oversight Agencies
The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) plays a vital role in regulating what enters the Kenyan market. Established under the Pest Control Products Act, Cap 346, this body is tasked with regulating the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, and use of pest control products in Kenya.
Toxic pesticides do not just harm farmers—they also ripple out to consumers. The hidden dangers and costs of HHPs are alarming, especially as families mourn loved ones lost to diseases like cancer. If these chemicals contain cancer-causing agents, the only real solution is to ban them and empower farmers with knowledge.
KALRO’s plant clinics are a promising first step, but real change will require more conversations, fresh programs, hands-on training, and decisive government action to help farmers protect their livelihoods.
