Farmers to Cut Down on Industrial Pesticides
Farmers in Tharaka Nithi County are set to radically reduce usage of industrial pesticides as NCCK staff embark on training them on Integrated Pest Management.
This follows a four-day intensive workshop in which NCCK were equipped with knowledge and skills in preparing and using bio-pesticides from locally available materials.
The 10 staff, 8 male and 2 female, were taken through the hands-on practical training by John Mbae, the Technical Advisor of Canadian Food Grains Bank (DFGB).
“Approximately 99 per cent of the insects are beneficial, while only a small fraction are harmful on the farm”, Mr Mbae explained, adding that “farmers must avoid indiscriminate pesticide use to preserve the good organisms”.
The staff of the Conservation Agriculture Project refined their understanding of Integrated Pest Management that comprises of prevention, monitoring, decision making and control. This means that use of pesticides is only engaged when absolutely necessary.
To further reduce reliance on industrial pesticides, the team was equipped with techniques to prepare and apply pesticides from neem, garlic and pepper plants.
“Bio pesticides are effective in controlling pests, are cheap to make, and will save farmers from exposure to side effects of using chemicals”, said Fidelia Munyoki, the Programmes Assistant Manager for Food Security.
At the conclusion of the training, the staff were commissioned to train the farmers in Nkondi, Mukothima, Gatunga, Marimanti and Ciakariga wards of Tharaka Nithi County.
Through the Conservation Agriculture project, the NCCK in partnership with United Church of Canada and Canadian Food Grains Bank, is empowering 7,200 farming households in Tharaka Nithi County. The households have improved their food sufficiency from 7 months to 12 months and noticeably reduced use of environmentally destructive practices.
