The Food Challenge toxic pesticides in Kenya

  • 21st February 2020
  • by secretary
Paepard
Posted on YouTube 16 January 2020Concerns have been raised about the safety of food in Kenya. In particular, the increased prevalence of harmful chemical pesticides. At least 33% of pesticide active ingredients that are currently registered and being sold in products in Kenya, have been withdrawn from the European market, due to their serious potential impact on human and environmental health. There are products on the Kenyan market, which are certainly classified as carcinogenic (45 products), mutagenic (31 products), endocrine disrupting (51 products), neurotoxic (175 products) and many which show clear effects on reproduction (360 products). The implications on farmers and consumers are significant and worrying.

Ujuzi Media, with the support of Bread for the World, Misereor, NordMedia Film Fund and the Route to Food Initiative, produced a three-part documentary series called ‘The Food Challenge’. The documentary exposes the manner in which small-scale farmers use and believe in the promises made by pesticide manufacturers for better yields. The film critically questions whether agro-chemicals are needed to fight hunger whilst simultaneously proposing alternative approaches to food production, such as organic farming.


Background: 
The Route to Food is an alliance working to realise the Human Right to Food in Kenya.

Barefoot solutions Kenya. Inspired by principles and ethics of permaculture, Barefoot solutions focuses on resilient designs and technology that are ecologically sound and financially viable.

Barefoot Soulutions strives to work collaboratively with communities, its clients and the environment to restore functional landscapes and build sustainable food systems that mimic natural patterns. Its mission is to promote and implement a healthy future for our planet by ensuring natural and man-made elements cooperate effectively.

Related: 
 26-27 February 2020. Nairobi. National Agriculture Summit
More than 400 high level agriculture sector leaders are set for a first-of-its-kind gathering in Kenya as industry players look at innovative ways of invigorating agricultural growth and bolstering their commitment to leave no one behind across the value chain. 

 The two-day workshop dubbed National Agriculture Summit and congregating representatives from national and county governments, farmer organizations, research institutions, private sector, NGOs and development partners is slated for 26 and 27 February 2020 at Safari Park Hotel. It comes in the wake of mounting challenges ranging from weak value chain linkages that have taken a toll on food producers to conflicting policies that have put brakes on the agriculture transformation agenda.


Source: PAEPARD FEED