By Fredrick Obura
New products that can help farmers naturally control pests have started making their way into farms as importers of fresh produce demand cleaner, and environmentally friendly farming practices.
London-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) firm Russels IPM, has partnered with a local agro-inputs supplier, Elgon Kenya, to provide pheromone traps that target aphids, white flies and thrips as well as sticky boards, and rods, which reduce application of pesticides and make the country’s produce more acceptable in the markets.
This is good news for growers and exporters of avocados who have been locked out of the South African market for the last three years due to fruit flies, costing the country Sh2 billion in lost export revenue.
Banned product
READ MORE
Kingpin: Ruto, Gachagua battle for Mt Kenya region's attention
Congolese doctors sue Health CS Duale over licence renewal ban
"The traps and pheromones are effective against the invader fruit flies that have led to the closure of the South African market to Kenya’s avocados," said Ashok Reddy, the company’s product development manager.
He added that IPM can be applied for the control of pests in grain stores, where a banned product, methyl bromide, is still being used due to lack of an effective alternative.
In last five years, growers who export 94 per cent of horticultural produce have increased the use of natural predators, cultural methods and other IPM techniques to comply with demands for safer growing environments.
In addition, the Pest Control Products Board and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute have come up with regulations on registration and use of predators, and bio-pesticides.
The country’s tropical climate provides suitable conditions for widespread pest infestation.
