Nairobi: Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, has today implemented new measures aimed at protecting the economic interests of Kenya’s macadamia sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Macadamia Association of Kenya (MACNUT) Chair, Jane Maigua, revealed that harmful pesticides and aggressive pest attacks are responsible for the destruction of up to 40 percent of the national macadamia production, leading to an annual economic loss valued at Sh2.88 billion.
During a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, including Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) Acting CEO, Njoroge Wachira, and Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) CEO, Fredrick Muchiri, Maigua highlighted the severe impact of pests, exacerbated by climate change, on macadamia crops. These pests attack flowering nuts, bore into kernels, cause significant leaf damage, and lead to premature nut drop, resulting in widespread crop losses for farmers.
Kagwe directed relevant authorities such as AFA, KEPHIS, PCPB, and county governments to enhance farmer awareness through radio programs and field extension services. He emphasized the importance of promoting integrated pest management practices, reducing reliance on imported synthetic pesticides, and adopting safer alternatives that maintain Kenya’s premium export standards.
Kagwe also stressed the need to revitalize the country’s pyrethrum value chain to provide local farmers and processors with reliable and affordable pest control options. He underlined the importance of protecting the intellectual property of PPCK and ensuring that private companies using their scientific data compensate for access or risk withdrawal of access rights.
Maigua explained that Kenya produces 45,000 metric tons of macadamia annually, with 44,100 MT being marketable. However, 17,640 MT are lost to insect damage, including 2,222.64 MT of high-value exportable kernels, resulting in billions of shillings in lost revenue. The industry also incurs significant costs related to electricity and labor for sorting insect-damaged nuts, adding to the economic burden.
According to KEPHIS, stink bugs are the most destructive threat, followed by nut borers, lace bugs, moths, rats, and thrips. Climate change has intensified these pest attacks, rendering existing chemical pesticides ineffective and risky due to the danger of exceeding international residue limits.
PCPB CEO Fredrick Muchiri outlined a legal emergency provision for the swift authorization of organic and pyrethrum-based pest control products. He confirmed that once specific pest pressures are identified, the Board can approve emergency-use options, conduct local efficacy trials, and collaborate with county teams to educate farmers on proper use to prevent export-threatening residue violations.
Muchiri assured the CS that pyrethrum-based products would be expedited, provided they meet efficacy and safety standards, highlighting the need to reduce reliance on imported chemical pesticides, which now exceed 20 million kilograms annually.
This discussion follows a meeting three days ago between the CS and the Senate regarding the leasing of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK). Kagwe disclosed that PPCK’s current financial performance is unsustainable, generating only Sh35 million annually, at best Sh60 million. The organization lacks resources for operations and has not received funding for research, a critical component for reviving the pyrethrum value chain.
Kagwe emphasized that the agency’s main challenge is a significant debt portfolio of Sh3.5 billion, owed to suppliers and in staff pension arrears. With the leasing model under consideration, the government plans to clean up PPCK’s balance sheet, conduct asset valuation, and ensure due diligence before a private operator can take over.
Kagwe detailed ongoing Ministry interventions across the pyrethrum value chain, including distributing clean planting materials, expanding extension services, and aligning production standards with international regulatory requirements to secure export markets.