Nicosia: Laikipia farmers have welcomed the domestication of an agro-ecology policy and bill by the county government, aimed at promoting organic agriculture and discouraging the use of hazardous pesticides. The bill is set to be enacted next month following the validation of the policy by various stakeholders after months of engagement.
According to Kenya News Agency, Biovision Africa Trust officer Amos Meme stated that six other counties, including Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Busia, Vihiga, and Makueni, have either domesticated the legislation or are in the process of doing so, aligning with the country’s national policy on safeguarding food security. “We advocate farming that promotes less use of chemicals while taking care of our environment. We are in Laikipia to support the agroecology policy, which we feel will significantly develop agrifood systems,” said Meme. The initiative is being spearheaded in partnership with organizations like the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association Of Kenya (BIBA), Farm Africa, and Hivos, all focused on promoting organic farming and campaigning against toxic pesticides.
Once operational, the bill will require the devolved unit to allocate resources to support agro-ecology, organic farming, smart climate agriculture, and the preservation of drought-tolerant indigenous seeds and livestock breeds at risk of extinction. “Once the policy is passed, there will be a clear roadmap on healthy production, processing, and consumption. We want counties to shift to environmentally friendly methods,” Meme added.
Farmers in the county have welcomed the move, noting that the use of agrochemicals in farming has led to an increase in diseases like cancer and environmental pollution. Cicilia Mburugua, a small-scale farmer based in Nanyuki, remarked, “Agroecology is a campaign as some farmers have yet to embrace it. The policy will offer us a clear roadmap on how to farm without chemicals and benefit from it. It will also address issues like water scarcity, soil degradation, and other climate change challenges.”
This development comes amid growing concerns about the adverse effects on human health from the misuse of toxic chemicals, some banned in developed countries. Newly released research by the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network reveals that nearly 80 percent of vegetables sold and consumed in Nairobi contain high levels of pesticide residues, with a third exceeding internationally recognized safety thresholds. Popular vegetables such as kales and spinach were found to contain a cocktail of up to seven different pesticides.
