Sustainable innovation: recent example in Kenya supporting the basil, avocado and mango value chains with the registration of two new biopesticides

Two new biopesticides have been officially registered by the Kenyan regulatory authority, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), for use on 3 minor crops:

1. Eco-Bb (Beauveria bassiana strain R444 2.0×108 cfu/g) to control aphids, whiteflies and thrips on basil.
2. Eco-Bb (Beauveria bassiana strain R444 2.0×108 cfu/g) to control false codling moth (FCM) and fruit flies on mango.
3. Levo 2.4 SL (Oxymatrine 2.4%) for the control of FCM on avocado.

These registrations, which are the result of field trials supported by COLEAD through the FFM-SPS, FFM+ and NExT Kenya programmes, in collaboration with a plant protection product (PPP) manufacturer; Andermatt Kenya Ltd (Eco-Bb) and Sineria Holland BV (Levo 2.4 SL), represent a significant advance in the pest management solutions available to basil, mango and avocado growers in Kenya.

At COLEAD, we are committed to addressing the production challenges faced by suppliers, including smallholders, based in tropical and subtropical areas, through comprehensive research and practical solutions. Our activities include identifying priority pests and diseases where current solutions are inadequate, and conducting field trials to assess the effectiveness of potential new technologies and practices recommended by our experts. The overall goal is to expand farmers’ toolboxes to support the operationalisation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, thereby reducing the overall use of plant protection products, in line with the objectives of the European Union’s (EU) Farm-to-Fork strategy.

Challenges met: lack of availability of PPPs to combat pests and notifications on the EU market

A survey conducted in 2019 highlighted the limited availability of registered PPPs in Africa, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. In Kenya, the Minor Crops Technical Working Group (MCTWG) highlighted the critical need for registered PPPs for minor crops due to the limited number of available PPPs and the challenges of SPS interceptions. Priority crop-pest combinations were identified following the African survey and a prioritisation exercise conducted by COLEAD in collaboration with the MCTWG in 2020. Following these exercises, COLEAD, through the above programmes, has been working with PPP manufacturers to conduct efficacy and residue trials to fast-track registration of PPPs for the identified priority crop-pest combinations in various ACP countries.  Aphids, thrips and whiteflies on basil, FCM and fruit flies on mango, and FCM on avocado were some of the priorities identified for Kenya.

A multi-stakeholder participatory process serving an entire region

Eco-Bb and Levo 2.4 SL are now available to growers in Kenya, completing the toolbox for farmers to effectively manage the pests in question and address this current trade barrier in the region. These biopesticides are compatible with integrated pest management strategies.

The list of registered PPPs in Kenya is available here. The Research and Innovation Brokerage Department is now exploring ways to replicate and disseminate these successful results within the East African Community (EAC).

This work is a participatory and interactive process where all stakeholders (farmers, governments, PPP manufacturers, etc.) are invited to contribute to the identification of the most relevant research and innovation activities. If you would like to contribute to this challenging and impactful research work, or if you have any questions, please contact us at: network@colead.link.

This activity is implemented by COLEAD and supported by the NExT Kenya (New Export Trade) programme, established in collaboration with the EU Delegation in Nairobi and Kenyan stakeholders. This publication has been produced with the financial support of the EU. Its contents are the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the EU.