Tomato farmers in Kirinyaga County are adopting safer and more sustainable methods of controlling destructive crop pests following an intensive county-led training for farmers.
The training, rolled out across 11 tomato-growing wards, has equipped farmers with practical skills in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) reducing reliance on harmful synthetic chemicals while safeguarding farmer health, crop quality and the environment.
The training is being conducted in partnership with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).
One of the training programme is focusing on managing the destructive Tuta Absoluta pest in tomato production.
Tuta absoluta is a species of moth known for its devastating effect on tomatoes. It is a major concern for farmers in tomato growing zones like Kirinyaga, as it is said to contribute over 20% of post-harvest yield losses. The biggest challenge in management of the pest is its fast development of resistant strains for the larvae and adults. Over the years, farmers have relied on use of agrochemicals to control the pest.
The initiative emphasizes biological pest control, farm sanitation, soil health, and the use of biopesticides instead of excessive chemical spraying, which has long posed health and environmental risks.
Farmers are also trained on alternative control methods, including pheromone traps that prevent pest reproduction, biopesticides, soil testing and strict farm sanitation.
Pheromone traps are highly specific, eco-friendly tools designed to attract, monitor, or suppress insect pests by using synthetic scents that mimic natural female mating pheromones. They are crucial in IPM for early detection, enabling precise, reduced, or zero-chemical pesticide usage in agriculture, warehouses, and residential areas.
The initiative is part of county investments aimed at transforming agriculture through science-led, farmer-centered interventions as Kirinyaga is the leading tomato-producing county in Kenya, with annual production rising significantly in recent years.
Speaking during one of the trainings in Nyangati ward, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture John Gachara said the training directly addresses the long-standing problem of over-use of agrochemicals in tomato farming.
“We are training farmers on how to stop using synthetic chemicals, which have been used excessively and pose serious risks. The goal is to ensure that food coming from Kirinyaga is safe, while also securing better markets for our produce,” Gachara mentioned.
He said the county partnership with ICIPE targets to train 1,000 farmers on the use of biopesticides and integrated pest management, aiming wards with high tomato production.
“This is part of a wider agricultural transformation programme. Beyond tomatoes, we have similar initiatives for coffee, rice, and other horticultural crops,” Gachara added.
Peterson Wachira , ICIPE Research Officer, said the County Government played a central role in identifying the pest challenge and facilitating farmer training through extension services.
“The Kirinyaga County Government enabled us to train agricultural officers and work directly with farmers on integrated pest management,” Wachira said, adding that Tuta absoluta remains one of the pests that causes severe losses in tomato production.
ICIPE also conducted two-season demonstrations, comparing 35 farmers using integrated pest management with conventional chemical-based farming.
“We proved that it is possible to control Tuta absoluta without spraying harsh chemicals. From trapping to biopesticides and sanitation, the tomatoes never come into contact with hard chemicals. For the first time, farmers were able to eat clean tomatoes directly from their farms,” Wachira said.
Lucy Wanjiku, a tomato farmer from Kanyekiine Ward, said the training will help farmers reduce losses and cut production costs.
Another farmer, Njuki Mara from Nyangati, said reducing chemical use had both economic and health benefits.
“Conventional chemicals are expensive and harmful to our bodies,” Mara said. “When we fall sick, treatment is even more costly, so these safer methods are better for our health and our pockets.”
By Mutai Kipng’etich
