Date: 7th October 2020 Time: 9.30 am Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Meeting ID:Passcode:
About the Event
KOAN, Route To Food Initiative (RTFI), Biodiversity Biosafety Association (BIBA) and Resource Oriented Development Initiative (RODI) have petitioned parliament to withdraw toxic pesticides that have been withdrawn in Europe due to their negative impacts on human health, environment and toxicity to pollinators.
As a follow up to a study done in 2019 by RTFI that informed the petition, this year, KOAN undertook a pesticide monitoring survey in Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties to check whether the identified pesticides are available and in use in the two Counties. We also did pesticides residue testing on tomatoes and kales. The findings reveal concerning use of pesticides including the ones that have been withdrawn in Europe and also high toxicity levels of pesticide residues in tomatoes and kale.
The study findings will be presented Wednesday, 7th October via zoom from 9.30 AM, where the report will be launched.
Please Join the Zoom Meeting using the details below
We also plan for more sensitization by distribution of the report; County and National Governments engagements; CSOs and Consumer engagements among others so that we can all work together to ensure that the toxic pesticides are withdrawn in Kenya; that safer alternatives are promoted and used by our farmers; that the relevant authorities do regular pesticide residue monitoring to assure Kenyans of safe food.
“Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’, often ascribed to Hippocrates (400 BC)”
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pesticides-use.png5091200Adminhttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngAdmin2020-10-07 06:29:282021-02-16 20:12:13REPORT LAUNCH - PESTICIDE USE IN KIRINYAGA AND MURANG’A COUNTIES: A WAKE UP CALL FOR BETTER PEST CONTROL STRATEGIES
AGROCHEMICALS AND ALTERNATIVES PROJECT- Transitioning farmers from Agrochemical reliance to safer and sustainable options.
The projects aimed at providing alternatives to commercial agrochemicals which are harmful to human, animal and environmental health. The study focuses on Agrochemical use in Murang’a and Kirinyaga, making a comparison between Organic and Conventional Farmers. The project has several components;
Component 1 : Farmer Survey to catalogue pesticide use in both Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties
Component 2 : Screening of ToxicBusiness Documentaries in both Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties. These documentaries were developed by the Route To Food Initiative
Component 3 : Development of SaferInputsDatabase which is a platform with commonly used pesticides and the alternatives available. the Database will serve to transition farmers and other users to safer options following the Integrated Pest Management methods.
Component 4: Media and Publicity of the three components.
After a recent expose on how supermarkets use chemicals (sodium metabisulphite) on meat to remain fresh, and the increasing cancer deaths among other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the link between food and disease among Kenyans is now alive. Sadly the proposed solutions are the usual reactional, mostly geared towards closing the supermarket meat butcheries, setting up more cancer centers, providing hospitals with screening equipment’s and less on preventative measures.
Tainted meat on supermarket shelves?
As a society we need to look back at where the rains started beating us. For a long time, we have lived in some sort of fool’s paradise, eating without any care about the safety of the food. Dangerous chemicals continue to be registered in the county including those banned elsewhere. Most of the extension is done by the manufacturers and distributors of these chemical. Farmers indiscriminately use them on regime basis rather on need as advised to increase sales.
From the Pesticides Control and Products Board, (PCPB) in 2018, Kenya imported fifteen thousand six hundred (15,600) tones of chemicals, more than double (2X) the amounts imported in 2015, six thousand four hundred tonnes (6400). PCPB has registered 247 active ingredients in 699 products for horticultural use. There are more products than active ingredients since one active ingredient can be in different formulations registered by different companies in different products. For example active ingredient glyphosate is registered in 39 products by 22 companies. Active ingredient imidacloprid is registered in 30 products by 13 companies. It is also important to note that most products contain “inert ingredients”. These are carrier or sticking agents that help the product retain the active agent in a stable form. The inert ingredients quite often constitute over 95% of the pesticide product and are equally toxic as the active ingredient and sometimes even more. Sadly, when registering pesticide products, pesticide manufacturers are only required to list the active ingredients in a pesticide, leaving consumers and applicators unaware of the possible toxics present in the inert ingredients of the pesticide products they are using. Pesticide manufacturers argue they cannot release information on inert ingredients because they are trade secrets, and if released, their products could be duplicated.
In a recent study undertaken by the Route to Food Initiative, (RTFI) and partners, of the 247 active ingredients registered in Kenya, by the Pest Control and Poisons Board (PCPB), only 150 are approved in Europe, 11 are not listed in the European database and 78 have been withdrawn from the European market or are heavily restricted in their use due to potential chronic health effects, environmental persistence, high toxicity towards fish or bees. From the PCPB records a total ofl 155 companies have registered 699 products in Kenya. Most of the products originate from Europe (288 products), followed by China (199 products), India (82 products), US (54 products), Israel (32 products) and Japan (19 products) while other regions/countries have registered the balance. This means Europe and not China, as often argued, is the market leader in terms of pesticide sale.
Double Standards
Unfortunately, agricultural exports to Europe from Kenya and Africa at large are put under stringent measures for sanitary, phytosanitary and Maximum Residual Levels, (MRLS) – the maximum detectable levels for pesticides in food products allowable for export. This is a measure importing countries put to ensure safety of products getting into their countries with a mission to safeguard their safety. The companies that manufacture these pesticides cannot sell some of them in the countries of origin but dump them to Kenya and other developing countries. They make sure they don’t get back to Europe by use of rigorous regular monitoring systems to detect and reject products distained to their markets at the points of entry. Strangely, the EU Regulation EC304/2003 allows European companies to produce and export banned or restricted pesticides for domestic use to other countries, the so called double standard. However in a recent report to the Human Rights Council (Elver, 2017), the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on Toxic Wastes and the Right to Food stated that to expose other nations to toxins known to cause major health damage or fatality is a clear human rights violation. They called on countries to remove these existing double standards especially with countries with weaker regulatory systems.
Back home, in a vicious treadmill we continuously import more chemicals that our farmers indiscriminately use without proper protection, disregard the harvest intervals and sometimes after harvest to increase the shelf life. While this is happening, the authorities have remained aloof as poison is served to citizens and the resultant cost of health continues to increase. The dynamics surrounding food safety and nutrition are too vital to be ignored or down played.
How safe is the food being sprayed ?
It is high time the Pest Control Poisons Board (PCPB) withdrew pesticides that have been banned elsewhere for their known adverse effects on human health and persistence on the environment from the Kenyan markets. The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS) needs to revamp its National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Programme (NPRMP) and make it regular in all counties. Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) need tighten on the Standard requirements for chemicals used in Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Fisheries and Irrigation need to revamp our agriculture extension system so that farmers can be advised by neutral agricultural experts on the use of pesticides, when, how to use and which to avoid. Government extension agents should play a key role on monitoring how farmers use chemicals and also to ensure that banned chemicals are not sold to unaware farmers. Private sector and Civil Society in the agriculture sector need to work more closely in a synergistic way and promote agroecology and marketing of safe agricultural produce. We need to educate our citizens/consumers so that they be more involved in deciding what is served on their plates, otherwise, our lives are on the line.
By a show of hands/clicksWho wants to be a farmer in Kenya right now?
Farmers in Kenya are grappling with multiple problems, from high input prices to frequent pest and disease infestations.
To be a farmer in Kenya is to accept suffering all in a bid to feed a nation that gives little thought to where their food comes from. Traditional crop farming has been replaced with more conventional farming methods; and it seems only those who have gone high tech seem to be reaping most of the benefits especially when middlemen come into the picture.
Farmers are suffering because of exploitation by unscrupulous middlemen
So what?
The picture maybe daunting but there is always a way. On 22 September 2018, the world celebrated the World Organic Agriculture Day; in Kenya we commemorated the event a day earlier at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies. The KENYA ORGANIC FOOD FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITION (KOFFE) ,organized by among others Egerton University, the University of Nairobi and the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network, saw multiple players in the organic agriculture sector discuss the past, present and future recourse.
Wangari Maathai Institute (WMI) for Peace and Environmental Studies
Farmers displaying their products were smiling all the way. Having worked with them for the past 4 years I could understand their mirth, they played the long game and are now reaping the benefits. Not to be overlooked, organic farmers still face the same challenges as conventional farmers, they suffer pest and disease attacks but the losses they incur are usually within the economic threshold.
Kenya Organic Food Festival and Exhibition (KOFFE) 2018
Why is that?What Makes Organic Farming so Special?
Crops grown organically in ecologically sound conditions grow hardier and more resilient to environmental shocks as well as pest and disease attacks. They are nutrient packed and fetch much better prices than conventionally grown produce. Due to poor traceability and hygiene standards in conventional systems, a growing number of conscious consumers are willing to pay a premium price for organically certified foods. Take for example a kilo of tomatoes, if grown under normal conventional system it will go for KES 80-100 at the local market, if it is organic the price will range from KES 120-180, where the latter will have spent much less to produce. This means that the organic farmers will always get a fair price for their produce and not suffer the exploitation of intermediaries.
Food security… Much Ado about Organic
Some pundits will argue that if all farmers were to go organic, Kenya would never be able to achieve food security. Nevertheless, despite over 50 years of conventional agriculture, Kenya is still yet to attain food security and this has nothing to do with organic agriculture, because it is all about systems.
In 2015, a national wide soil survey released by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Egerton University revealed that Kenya soils are exhausted. Farmers are now spending more on inputs but with diminishing outputs, this has led to Kenya being a net importer of food.
That is unless you are an organic farmer; through sound soil nurturing and production practices they are able to maintain high levels of productivity at a fraction of the cost. It more about the farmers’ mindset, passion and sustainable thinking other than pure commercial interest are the driving force. Fairness to the environment, to the people and to all contributors is a central theme. As proven by the state of Sikkim India, food security is possible through organic practices. Going organic means farmers’ health will not be at risk thereby prolonging their capacity to produce food for the nation.
Organic farmer smiling all the way
What about cost of food?Too good to be affordable?
Organic food is perceived as expensive, and maybe it is and with rising cost of living not that many households can bear the additional cost. However, as any economist will tell you, once there are more players in the industry, market forces will drive down organic food costs. Majority of commercial organic farmers produce for export markets but if more farmers joined the scene, the local market will have adequate supply. This will also not only create opportunity for other players (input manufactures, processors, certifiers etc.) but will effectively lower other operational costs.
We’re living in the world of now, and many people will shrug and say they’ll just wait and see.
Martin Njoroge
The problem comes in when people are consuming pesticide residue laden foods, which is manifesting itself in myriads of illnesses, organic foods don’t have pesticide residues because the organic farmers don’t use them in the first place and they put in measures to prevent contamination from such. That’s the whole point of going organic really, plus the sense of safety in knowledge that twenty year from now some scientist won’t discover that the chemicals considered safe today aren’t that safe really.
“Proof of the pudding is in the eating” – Origins of GRAS. . .
The future..The Now.. And In between
Promoting organic agriculture in Kenya is all about promoting the health of the nation. With a serious cancer prevalence, the burden of disease is seriously impeding our developmental progress as a country. Kenya has a checkered past where commercial interests have overridden the health and safety of the people. This need not be. The Organic movement in Kenya is real and very vibrant but unfortunately not many people are aware of its existence. Farmer and consumer education on the benefits of adopting organic production practices is critical, because they can be used in tandem with conventional practices.
The National and County governments have a central role in sensitizing farmers, and working with NGO’s who have been the main drivers behind the organic movement, organic agriculture will be mainstreamed in policies and practices in Kenya. This does not mean the ball lies solely on the government’s court; all farmers should take up the responsibility and decide that their health and the health of consumers come first and do the necessary to bridge the gap in between.
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Organic-Do-Not-Spray.jpg8481273Martin Njorogehttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngMartin Njoroge2019-07-31 09:31:562019-09-18 06:57:15The Future is Not Organic
The following article appeared in the Proceedings of the Kenya Organic Food Festival 2018.
Last year on 21st September 2018, Kenya celebrated the 1st Organic Food Festival at Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies Upper Kabete. From the conference proceeding and key note speeches it was clear that the country has undergone a radical transformation in our food systems and feeding habits. Within the past 2 decades as globalisation has taken root in our highly capitalistic society, we have found ourselves shifting towards fast foods and out-of-home eating habits. Life has become faster and thus meal time is rushed and lacks the ceremony in socialisation and introspection we used to enjoy years past and has become a rushed affair of food takeaways and eating on the move.
To recompense this shifting attitude, fast food franchises have mushroomed taking up strategic corners in our busy town centres, with every corner of Nairobi’s CBD spotting a familiar food joint. They churn out tonnes upon tonnes of fried foods and sugar packed drinks to feed a hungry public, most of whom don’t really think much about the hazards of their unhealthy binges; if it quashes the hunger and at the right price, what more is there to think about?
‘Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine food’ ~ Hippocrates
Food is everything, it powers our bodies and helps us fight off infections. If you want Formula 1 performance from your car, you take care of the engine, do regular maintenance, buy the best motor oil and don’t just fuel from any petrol station, you become careful and considerate, you do your research and only buy from trusted sources. Same thing with your body and health, if you want peak performance, you go for regular doctor check-ups, eat the right foods and exercise often, take good care of yourself. In this day and age of increased prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), you have to eat right to improve the quality of your life.
It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables are loaded with disease-fighting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But even fresh, colourful produce carries its own risks, namely in the form of pesticides. That’s why eating organic food is recommended, because unlike conventionally produced food, organic foods have no pesticide residues or heavy metal contamination. As a study conducted by Egerton University revealed, pesticide residue contamination of food is much higher and more prevalent than previously thought. Another study by University of Nairobi also revealed that majority of urban farmers in Nairobi use untreated sewage waste to irrigate their farmlands, which not only exposed them and the consumers to heavy metal pollutants but also disease-causing pathogens like E. coli.
Organic foods, from certified sources, on the other hand, are much safer and are produced under stringent organic standards which guarantee the buyers that;
(1) No synthetic pesticides/chemicals have been used in production
(2) the farmer got a fair price for their produce
(3) The environment was not damaged in the process.
Despite the advantages of organic foods, majority of consumers in Kenya, either don’t have knowledge of their existence or where to buy them or both. Most consumers are as well not conversant with standards and certifications common in the organic food industry. According to a study by KOAN conducted in 2014 only 18% of consumers could correctly identify approved organic certification marks. This ignorance allows unscrupulous traders and farmers to benefit unduly from premiums designed to compensate genuine organic farmers for not using chemicals. For example, in Kenya, the Kilimohai Organic Certification Mark is the KEBS approved standard for all organic produce and processed products, but many traders still claim their products are organic even without complying to the standard. You will find supermarket shelves filled with products labelled as organic but without the Kilimohai Mark.
Kilimohai Organic Certification Mark
Consumers are also hard pressed to purchase organic foods due to the perceptions that they’re expensive, but organic foods are normally about 30% more expensive than conventional produce. Which begs the question over how much value people really put on their health and well being. Most people are too caught up in daily hustles and bustles to really think about their daily investments in present and future health. Several studies have shown that people are less likely to invest in their health if they have not been to the hospital or a check up in the recent past. This is not a diatribe on Kenya consumer habits but a call to action to all people in our beautiful country to be more mindful of their health.
Organic food production, retail and consumer protection has been championed the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), through its activities and many other Non-Governmental Organizations, organic agriculture is securing a firm footing in policy, production and distribution Kenya.
Although it is possible to get organic food countrywide, getting certified organic produce can only be found in limited locations. Currently the most consistent and reliable organic food outlets are located in Nairobi, some of them have been in existence for over 10 years, while others are upstarts and need the support of consumers and farmers to make them trending successes. Without much ado here are the top trending organic food retail outlets in Nairobi;
Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ market appeal to the innate sense of community and common purpose, different from the commercial municipal trader dominated markets. While offering value, diversity and freshness in produce, organic farmers’ markets close the gap between farmers and their customers. Globally farmers’ markets have been community driven, where local farmers are able to sell their products and exchange notes with each other as well as their customers. Without delving too deeply into the symbolism and importance of Organic Farmers markets, here are the main ones to look out for;
Kids Ventures Garden Estate – Officially opened in 2017. Open every Saturday from 9.00am, you can find the freshest organic fruits, vegetables and other dry cereal products. It is supported by farmers from surrounding Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos and Rongai.
Organic Farmers Market KSPC Next to Hillcrest (Formerly at Purdy Arms) – One of the most prolific farmers market in Kenya with a good following of farmers and buyers. You will get your pick of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and animal products. Open every Saturday, the Organic farmers’ market has been consistent and reliable in service to its stakeholders.
Karengata Farmers’ Market – Also found in Karen, it’s a relatively new organic market but with great potential. With a relatively moderate but growing number of farmers and buyers it is poised to be a considerable contender for the biggest Organic Farmers Market in Nairobi.
US Embassy Organic Farmers Market – Open every Thursday, most of the farmers you’ll meet are regulars at other Farmers Markets.
Community Sustainable Agriculture and Healthy Environment Program (C-SHEP) Farmers Market Rongai- Run by local Farmer CBO CSHEP in Rongai, this farmers market has been great conduit for local farmers who don’t have the ability or need to travel to Karen or Nairobi to sell their organic produce locally. This group also participates at the Kids Ventures Garden Estate Organic Farmers’ Market.
SuperMarkets
2. Supermarkets
Not everyone has the time to visit the local farmers’ market to get their organically grown groceries, supermarkets have been able to disrupt the traditional grocery shopping experience. The following are the main supermarket that have organic grocery sections;
3. Tuskys Supermarket have contracted an agent company that will manage organic health sections of their retail chain. Plans are underway to start with Karen branch and eventually roll out in other branches.
Green Groceries
3. Green Groceries
Closely tied with supermarkets, green groceries have steadily become more popular especially near estates and other urban and sub-urban settlements. To get your organic groceries you can visit ;
Sometime it is not possible to go out to get your organic supplies. Maybe the listed locations are out of your usual routes and you still need to buy the groceries. Worry not, Basket Delivery Schemes are available, the following providers give you fairly comprehensive lists of produce to pick from and deliver right to your doorstep;
Organic food is more than just grocery shopping, its about experiencing food as it was meant to be grown and eaten. Currently only 1 restaurant in Kenya serves over 80% purely organic certified menu and that is Bridges Organic Restaurant. The restaurant ha the rustic contemporary flair that feels upmarket but also quite homely. It is conveniently located in Nairobi CBD near city market.
Bridges Organic Restaurant Nairobi
For a more comprehensive list of organic retail outlets, Check Out KOANS Farmer and Trader Members’ Profiles.
https://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/City-Food-Systems.jpg400495Martin Njorogehttps://www.koan.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/koan-LOGO.pngMartin Njoroge2019-03-31 15:27:422020-11-17 13:36:06Where to Get your Organic Fix
