FARMING OF PYRETHRUM – WHITE DIAMOND
Nakuru County boasts the world’s largest pyrethrum industry, capable of processing over 50 tonnes of pyrethrum per day.
A pyrethrum plantation in Elgeyo Marakwet County/Governor's Press
Pyrethrum farming in the country has experienced a decline over the years due to various factors, including poor pricing, inadequate government support for farmers, market scarcity, mismanagement, and the high cost of seedlings, rendering them unaffordable for many farmers. The decline began in 2003 when production plummeted from 11,000 tonnes to 250 tonnes by 2013 as numerous farmers shifted to other agricultural ventures.
Recently, farmers across the country have been endeavoring to revitalize the dwindling pyrethrum farming sector. In Nakuru, Wilson Mwangi, a father of three and a pyrethrum farmer, initially began with just one acre of land to assess production and marketing viability. His success led him to expand his operations to over 14 acres. “I started with only one acre of land, and over the years, the high production compelled me to expand to 15 acres. Despite the sector’s challenges, I re-engaged seven years later and have since employed over a hundred workers on my farm,” he states.
Nakuru County boasts the world’s largest pyrethrum industry, capable of processing over 50 tonnes of pyrethrum per day. However, due to the farming downturn, the industry now operates at a mere fraction, grinding as low as 10 tonnes daily. To address this issue, the government has implemented measures to revive the ailing sector, including establishing an open market system, unlike before when the market was closed. As Wilson Mwangi explains, “The open market is revitalizing this farming sector. As a farmer, you cultivate your flowers and then enter contracts with processors.”
In a positive development, Nakuru County has partnered with the governments of Switzerland and the United States to revitalize and enhance the pyrethrum sector. Most farmers intercrop these flowers with other crops to control pests and diseases, as pyrethrum effectively eliminates diseases transmitted by pests.
Pyrethrum is utilized to produce natural insecticides, with its demand steadily increasing in the global market due to its non-toxicity to humans and warm-blooded animals. It possesses advantages over other insecticides, including repellent properties, rapid knockdown effect, and environmental non-persistence.
In Gilgil, farmers utilize pyrethrum as a shield against flies and ticks for their cattle, providing a natural solution without resorting to harmful chemicals. Additionally, when cultivated near homes, pyrethrum serves as a natural defense against sand flies, preventing the spread of diseases like leishmaniasis.
In Kenya, there are over 16 varieties of pyrethrum produced across 19 different counties. The majority of pyrethrum growers are small-scale farmers with less than 5 acres of land.
Wilson Mwangi highlights the challenges faced by farmers cultivating these “white gold” flowers: “The challenges we encounter include high seedling costs, lack of appropriate seedlings,inadequate support, and poor marketing.”
Farmers are paid KSh230 per kilogram upfront and receive additional payments based on the analyzed pyrethrin content of the product. The higher the pyrethrin content, the greater the compensation for the farmer.
The Kenyan government aims to increase pyrethrum production from 6 hectares to 84 hectares by 2027/28.
Mary Ontiri, a pyrethrum expert at the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) in Nakuru, explains how this farming sector impacts the global economy.
“Pyrethrum commands less than 5% of the world market due to governance issues, delayed payments to farmers, and the high cost of seedlings, which are priced at KSh 3 per plant. A farmer requires 22,000 plants per acre, posing a significant challenge if farmers are not adequately compensated.”
Ontiri emphasizes the potential profits for both farmers and the government: “With revised prices, farmers could potentially earn KSh7.5 billion, while the government could generate up to KSh9 billion in foreign exchange. The Nakuru pyrethrum processing factory once employed about 2000 workers, but due to low production, the workforce has dwindled to less than 150 employees. If the government intervenes, this industry has the capacity to create employment opportunities for over 5 million people in Nakuru, from farm laborers to processors.”
Kenya stands as the world’s largest producer of pyrethrum, boasting well-established markets in Europe, the United States, and Asia.
Report by Jesse Abisheck
Email: abijessyshi@gmail.com
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