Laikipia County has launched a five-year agro-ecology policy aimed at reducing the use of hazardous farm chemicals and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard human health, livestock and the environment.
Governor Joshua Irungu unveiled the policy in Nanyuki on Friday, saying his administration would allocate resources to support agro-ecology programmes, including establishment of chemical-free demonstration plots across the county’s 15 wards.
He said the initiative would enable farmers to acquire knowledge and skills on sustainable and safe farming practices while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
“Laikipia has made a milestone and this involves how we treat our environment and this pertains that whatever we do in farming we avoid use of chemicals including fertilizers and spraying chemicals that are deadly to our bodies,” cautioned Irungu.
The governor said the policy was particularly important amid growing concerns over lifestyle diseases, including cancer, kidney failure and other non-communicable ailments, which he linked to food production and consumption practices.
“In this era, we have a lot of lifestyle diseases associated to what we are eating which are contributing to cancer, kidney failure and other non-communicable ailments,” said Irungu.
He said the policy would guide farmers on best practices, including careful management of chemicals used on crops and livestock, while encouraging production methods that could enable Laikipia to access international markets.
“The policy will guide on how farming will be done and best practices to be deployed including being cautious on what chemicals we are spraying or even given to our livestock. When we embrace this, the county in the near future will be producing farm produce that can get to European markets,” said the county boss.
Laikipia joins Makueni, Murang’a and Nakuru counties that have already adopted similar approaches by domesticating the National Agro-ecology Strategy for Food System Restoration, launched in 2024 to promote sustainable food production and strengthen food security amid climate change.
Irungu said the county would promote farming systems that minimize or eliminate synthetic farm chemicals, noting that such practices could improve the quality and safety of agricultural produce while protecting natural resources.
Recent research has raised concerns over pesticide residues in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, kales and spinach. Some farmers, in pursuit of quick profits, have been accused of applying chemicals shortly before transporting produce to markets, contrary to recommended safety precautions.
Christopher Rwanda, Outreach Manager at Biovision Africa Trust, said the policy would benefit farmers by equipping them with knowledge and skills required for sustainable production.
Concerns have also been raised over the availability of some chemicals that have been banned in developed countries but continue to find their way into local markets, exposing farmers, consumers and the environment to potential risks.
Laikipia farmers, some of whom have sought legal redress over the continued sale of harmful pesticides, welcomed the policy and urged the county government to allocate adequate resources to ensure its objectives are achieved during the five-year implementation period.
By Muturi Mwangi
