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By Victoria Musimbi
Nairobi, Kenya: Better access to credible information and stronger collaboration between journalists, scientists, regulators and agricultural stakeholders could help farmers and consumers navigate challenges around crop protection, counterfeit products and changing regulations, experts have said.
The call was made during a forum convened by the Kenya Editors Guild in partnership with aak-GROW, bringing together media leaders and agricultural sector stakeholders to discuss emerging challenges affecting Kenya’s agriculture and food production.
The forum focused on climate change, illicit agricultural inputs, misinformation, responsible pest management and science-based regulation.
Giving Journalists the Tools to Report Complex Issues
Linda Bach, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Editors Guild, highlighted the need for journalists to have access to credible experts and information when reporting on technical agricultural issues.
Crop protection, she noted, intersects with food security, farmer livelihoods, consumer safety, environmental sustainability, science, regulation and the wider economy. This makes it important for journalists to understand the evidence and regulatory frameworks involved.
“Editors sit at a critical intersection between complex issues and public understanding,” Bach said, adding that journalists must translate technical information without sacrificing accuracy or context.
The Kenya Editors Guild, she explained, creates spaces for editors to engage policymakers, experts, industry representatives, civil society and other stakeholders on matters of national importance.
Such engagements give journalists an opportunity to ask difficult questions, examine evidence and identify information gaps that may affect public understanding.
Bach described the question, “What stories are we missing?” as particularly important because it encourages journalists to move beyond routine coverage and examine areas where more reporting is needed, including gaps where misinformation may be taking hold.
She also emphasised the need to protect editorial independence, noting that engagement with industry should enable journalists to ask informed questions and interrogate evidence rather than secure uncritical coverage.
Bach expressed hope that the forum would lead to continued engagement between aak-GROW, editors and the wider media community.
Strengthening Enforcement and Farmer Awareness
Joel Mutai, CEO of aak-GROW and CropLife Kenya, highlighted continued media engagement as one way of demystifying challenges and misconceptions surrounding agro-inputs used for pest control.
The organisation, he noted, will continue organising forums with journalists to promote responsible use of pest-control products and ensure accurate information reaches farmers and the general public.
“We will continue to organise forums with the media to inform the public on the responsible use of pest-control products and ensure that accurate information reaches farmers and the general public,” Mutai said.
On illicit trade, Mutai explained that the industry is working with government agencies through a multi-stakeholder approach to address the influx of unregistered products from other countries through porous borders.
He said the efforts involve the Pest Control Products Board, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, with the aim of strengthening enforcement and ensuring those involved in illegal trade are held accountable.
“This is damaging to the farming system and leaves farmers confused,” he said.
Some of the products, according to Mutai, have not been approved by Kenyan authorities and can pose risks to the environment and human health.
Farmers also have a role to play. Mutai urged them to check whether products have a registration number issued by the Pest Control Products Board and confirm whether the agro-dealer or stockist is licensed by the board.
He identified Avermectin as one product that has become particularly notorious, saying it is reportedly entering the country through porous borders and being used for various purposes, including spraying cattle.
“We have received reports of cases where cattle have died after its use,” Mutai said.
Mutai noted that aak-GROW is working with the Pest Control Products Board and other government agencies to address the issue through intelligence and enforcement.
While there are no clear figures on the volume of illicit products entering the country because the trade is hidden, increased enforcement has, according to Mutai, helped minimise large-scale influxes.
“There have been successes in containing the problem, but we want to eliminate it completely by ensuring that regulators remain vigilant and continue strengthening enforcement,” he said.
