Food insecurity remains a critical global concern, underscored by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger. Since 2015, there has been a worrying increase in global hunger, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, climate change, and economic disparities. Amid these challenges, the agricultural sector is pivotal in addressing food insecurity, with crop protection emerging as a vital component.
Farmers require sustainable solutions to meet the growing demand for food. Crop protection products, encompassing pesticides, are essential in mitigating food insecurity and addressing the complex challenges associated with global hunger. Pesticides, a broad term, include nematicides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and molluscicides, each designed for specific pest management purposes. When applied responsibly by both modern and organic farmers, these products can ensure an adequate supply of food for personal consumption and commercial purposes.
Proper utilization of crop protection products has demonstrated long-term benefits. These include increased income for farms and agribusinesses, improved nutrition and health outcomes, enhanced food safety, reduced post-harvest losses, and better quality of life due to high-quality produce. Additionally, these products contribute to the diversification of viable crops, extended life expectancies, reduced labor-intensive practices, and biodiversity conservation. Improving food security involves more than growing enough food; it also requires trust in the safety and quality of the food produced.
Multinational companies like Bayer, through its Crop Science division, have been at the forefront of championing crop protection. Bayer’s comprehensive product stewardship program aims to share the knowledge needed to enhance the safe and sustainable use of agrochemicals in line with international standards. The company has empowered its employees, including field agents, with relevant safe-use information, which they share with external key parties, including farmers, who are the end users of these products.
The safe-use training provided by Bayer encompasses various aspects such as reading and understanding product labels, using the correct products at the recommended dosage, calibrating application equipment, proper application techniques, using personal protective equipment, proper storage and transportation, personal hygiene, first aid measures, spillage management, and proper disposal of empty product containers. Responsible and suitable product stewardship practices are essential for producing high-quality products, complying with legal requirements, facilitating trade, increasing income sustainability, and minimizing risks to people and the environment.
“At the core of Bayer’s crop protection initiatives is a commitment to compliance with established standards and thorough risk assessments. In Kenya, the company ensures that all products are certified by the Pesticide Control Products Board (PCPB), which regulates the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, transportation, sale, disposal, and safe use of pest control products to mitigate potential environmental harm. This demanding process ensures that consumers are protected against harmful products,” says Bayer’s Crop Science Commercial Lead and Managing Director for East Africa, Joern Kraegeloh.
“Bayer’s crop protection practices adhere to global standards and processes. Before any product is launched, it undergoes over 10 years of intense research and scientific study to ensure safety for humans and the environment,” added Kraegeloh. To further amplify the professionalization of agriculture and capacity building, Bayer is partnering with other industry players, national regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders along the value chain, including treatment professionals and dealers, on how to use pesticides effectively. This collaboration aims to increase yields and improve the quality of harvested crops.
In conclusion, crop protection is a key solution to tackling food insecurity in Kenya and Africa at large. By ensuring the safe and responsible use of pesticides and other agrochemicals, farmers can increase productivity, improve food quality, and contribute to the overall goal of achieving zero hunger. Through collaborative efforts and adherence to stringent standards, the agricultural sector can play a significant role in addressing the pressing issue of global food insecurity.
