Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Dan Church Aid (DCA)

Titre : Promote sustainable and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Kenya’s pyrethrum subsector.

Région / Pays : Kenya

Durée : July 2021-Dec 2024

Contexte
Pyrethrum is a naturally occurring mixture of chemicals found in certain chrysanthemum flowers. It was first recognised to have insecticidal properties around 1800AD in Asia and was used to kill ticks and various insects such as fleas and mosquitoes.

Pyrethrum is grown for its natural pyrethrins, which are often used in household insecticides and products to control insects on pets or livestock. Natural pyrethrins break down quickly in the environment, especially when exposed to natural light, and are less toxic than pyrethroids, which are synthetically engineered and last longer in the environment making them toxic to insects and mammals.

Kenya is said to have ideal climatic conditions for optimal pyrethrin yield and has been a preferred supplier by major markets across the globe. In addition, Kenya can produce over 20,000 MT per annum generating 20 – 75 million USD for farmers and 58 million USD in foreign exchange earnings from the refined extract alone. With an average size household in Kenya of 4,4 people, one processing company alone can potentially provide livelihoods benefitting more than 880,000 people.

The global demand for Pyrethrum is on an upward trajectory as it is an incredibly effective, broad-based, and natural pesticide with multiple applications in pest control on crops and control of all types of flying insects. Pyrethrum can be transformed into countless value-added products, and its lack of residual effects makes it ideal for safeguarding global ecosystems.

Descriptif
DCA Kenya, in consortium with a private sector partner- Kentegra Biotechnology and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), aims to revive pyrethrum farming in Kenya and contribute to a sustainable business eco-system, improved and resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers and workers engaged in the pyrethrum sub-sector, focusing on Nakuru, Nyandarua, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. The four counties currently account for 60 – 70% of the national output of pyrethrum.

This will be achieved through increased production and marketing of pyrethrum flowers processed to generate pyrethrin, which is a bio-degradable, non-persistent, and light-decomposed pesticide.

Partenaire(s)  : Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC — National Council of Churches of KenyaNCCK

Financement : Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD)
Budget : NOK 19,335,000

Présentation : Dan Church Aid (DCA)