5 Kenyan Foods Sprayed With Poisonous Chemicals- RTFI
The extensive use of pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides during the cultivation of five common Kenyan crops has resulted in their contamination with contaminants, according to a recent report.
According to a report published by The Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) on Wednesday, maize, wheat, coffee, potatoes, and tomatoes not only require the most pesticides but also contain the highest concentrations of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs).
Notably, it was discovered that coffee production in Kenya significantly relies on the application of highly hazardous insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides.
In a similar vein, the cultivation of tomatoes and potatoes in Kenya revealed extensive mancozeb use.
Mancozeb is a chemical frequently used in agriculture to protect crops from diseases and fungi; it creates a protective barrier on plants, preventing them from contracting diseases; However, excessive use can pose environmental and health risks.
The EU has banned Mancozeb and linked it to cancer, but Kenyan farmers continue to use it on their crops.
According to the report, Kenyan farmers also employed bifenthrin, dichlorvos, diazinon, carbaryl, fipronil, thiamethoxam, and carbendazim, all of which have been prohibited in Europe due to their negative effects on human health.
According to the report, the majority of these chemicals are produced in Europe and are prohibited in their home countries.
ALSO READ: TIFA Report Shows Kenyans are Poorer Under Ruto
The findings of RTFI indicate that 44 percent of the pesticides used in Kenya have been banned in their region of origin, Europe, due to their perceived risks to human and environmental health.
“Out of the 310 pesticide products used, 195 products (63 percent) containing one or two active ingredients that are categorized as HHPs, accounting for 76 percent of the total volume of pesticides used,” RTFI said in its report.
“This indicates that farmers in Kenya predominantly use HHPs, despite their known detrimental effects on human health and the environment.”
RTFI suggested that Kenya progressively phase out the use of products containing harmful substances.
In addition, the government and other key agricultural stakeholders have been urged to support efforts to develop and promote biopesticides and biocontrol methods as alternatives to HHPs.
“Make biopesticides affordable for all farmers, regardless of whether they export their products to Europe or not. This will encourage the widespread adoption of sustainable pest management practices, benefiting small-scale farmers,” the report recommended further.
It was also requested that the government hold agrochemical companies accountable by regulating and monitoring their activities and promoting responsible practices that prioritize human health, environmental protection, and sustainable agriculture.
5 Kenyan Foods Sprayed With Poisonous Chemicals- RTFI
