A farmer applying herbicides. [Photo/pinterest]
Use of herbicides and pesticides by farmers in many developing countries, mostly as perennial and annual weeds control measure, is widespread.
The most heavily used herbicide is glyphosate as it requires less field preparation and fewer expenses linked to farm machinery. In 2011, approximately 650,000 tonnes of glyphosate products were used worldwide and this figure is projected to double this year.
In Kenya, although there is no publicly available data to determine the actual amount of glyphosate used, there are 28 different glyphosate-based products registered. The products are mostly applied to tea and coffee plantations as well as in beans, sugarcane, barley, baby corn, and maize.
Despite the seeming economic and ecological benefits such as soil erosion prevention, organic matter loss, water evaporation and biodiversity, there is need to question the adverse effects of the extensive application of large quantities of these herbicides on human health and the environment.
In Europe, there have been heated debates between scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government and industry over the past two years on the re-registration of this active ingredient. Some argue that glyphosate is likely to cause cancer and should therefore not be re-registered, an argument that has been supported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Others argue that any carcinogenic properties have not been proven conclusively and that glyphosate should thus be re-registered. The result of this discussion is unfortunately that glyphosate was on November 27 re-registered for the next five years. This has major implications for glyphosate use in Africa.
In Kenya, as in many other countries, no such discussions are being held and there is no proper regulation in place. Many farmers perceive the use of herbicides and other pesticides not as problematic a perception that is mainly attributed to lack of training and awareness.