×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Truth Without Fear
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

It is heartbreaking that farmers are still using harmful pesticides

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

It’s time to think of options to safeguard the health and safety of our citizens. [Getty]

According to FAO, pollinators such as bees, birds and bats, affect 35 per cent of the world's crop production, increasing outputs of 87 of the leading food crops worldwide, plus many plant-derived medicines. Across the globe, three out of four crops that produce fruits or seeds for human consumption depend, at least in part, on pollinators.

This year, as we mark the World Bee Day, it is imperative for all of us to take action to protect pollinators that in essence are the reason we have food on our table. Pollinators are declining due to biodiversity loss as a result of intensive agriculture and the use of toxic chemicals. With the decline of pollinators such as bees, our food security, which is already affected by the vagaries of the changing climatic patterns, is further stressed.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.
Fact‑first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in
Basketball
Thunder plot Equity Bank raid as Premier League tips off
By Ben Ahenda 8 hrs ago
Boxing
Future Boxing Championships offer Kenyan boxers lessons
Athletics
Why Faith Kipyegon is making waves after winning 10km debut
Sports
Recall times of Shikanda, Stars' diminutive defender