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By Jane Mugambi
Kirinyaga, Kenya: The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), in partnership with the Kirinyaga County government, has launched a training program to help tomato farmers adopt safer and more sustainable methods for controlling crop pests.
The initiative, which is being rolled out across 11 tomato-growing wards, is equipping farmers with practical skills in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The training focuses on reducing reliance on harmful synthetic chemicals to safeguard farmer health, improve crop quality, and protect the environment. A key target of the program is the destructive pest Tuta absoluta, which has caused significant losses for farmers who have long relied on harmful pesticides.
The program emphasizes biological pest control, farm sanitation, soil health, and the use of biopesticides as an alternative to excessive chemical spraying, which poses serious health and environmental risks.
Tuta absoluta, a moth species notorious for its devastating impact on tomato crops, remains a major concern in Kirinyaga. It is estimated to contribute to over 20% of post-harvest yield losses. The biggest challenge in managing the pest is its rapid development of resistance to chemical treatments. Now, farmers are being trained on non-chemical control methods, including pheromone traps that prevent pest reproduction, the application of biopesticides, soil testing, and strict farm sanitation.
Pheromone traps are highly specific, eco-friendly tools designed to attract and 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.
Governor Anne Waiguru said the initiative is part of deliberate county investments aimed at transforming agriculture through science-led, farmer-centered interventions.
“Kirinyaga is the leading tomato-producing county in Kenya, with annual production rising significantly in recent years. Through capacity building, promotion of high-yield varieties, and market access, production has increased from 46,000 tonnes in 2017 to 116,000 tonnes today, earning farmers approximately Sh6.9 billion annually,” Waiguru said.
She noted that as production grows, the county is prioritizing safe farming practices that protect farmers from chemical exposure and ensure consumers access clean, residue-free produce.
Speaking during a training session in Nyangati ward, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, John Gachara, said the program directly addresses the long-standing problem of over-reliance on agrochemicals in tomato farming.
“We are training farmers on how to move away from 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 said.
He added that the county, under the Governor’s guidance, has partnered with ICIPE to train 1,000 farmers on the use of biopesticides and integrated pest management, targeting wards with high tomato production. “This is part of a wider agricultural transformation program. Beyond tomatoes, we have similar initiatives for coffee, rice, and other horticultural crops,” Gachara added.
ICIPE Research Officer Peterson Wachira said the County Government played a central role in identifying the pest challenges and facilitating farmer trainings through extension services.
“The Kirinyaga County Government enabled us to train agricultural officers and work directly with farmers on integrated pest management,” Wachira said.
ICIPE also conducted two-season demonstrations, comparing 35 farmers using IPM methods with those using 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.
Farmers report that the impact of the training has been immediate.
Lucy Wanjiku, a tomato farmer from Kanyekiine Ward, said the training held in Kiaga helped farmers reduce losses and cut production costs.
“Using organic methods has reduced diseases, lowered costs, and significantly reduced losses caused by Tuta absoluta. With the traps, our expenses have gone down and profits have increased. The county has supported us by providing planting inputs and pest traps,” Wanjiku noted.
Stephen Munene, who attended the training at Kithiriti, said adopting organic practices has improved both yields and income.
“The output is very good compared to using chemical fertilizers. This method is leaving me with better returns,” Munene said.
Another farmer, Njuki Mara from Nyangati Ward, 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.”
