PCPB: Supporting Growers through Responsive Pest Control Products Regulation
Horticulture is a key pillar of Kenya’s agricultural sector, contributing significantly Kenya’s horticulture sector is one of the country’s most important agricultural sub-sectors, contributing significantly to export earnings, employment creation, food security, and rural livelihoods. Kenya is globally recognized for the production and export of flowers, fruits, and vegetables to markets in Europe, the Middle East, and other international destinations.
However, the success of horticulture depends heavily on effective pest and disease management systems that guarantee productivity, food safety, environmental protection, and compliance with international market standards. The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) plays a critical role in supporting the sector
through regulation of pest control products, technical oversight, research coordination, and farmer education. PCPB, established under the Pest Control Products Act (Cap 346), PCPB is mandated to regulate the importation, exportation, manufacture, distribution, transportation, sale, disposal, and safe use of pest control products in Kenya.
The Board facilitates horticulture farming primarily through the registration and regulation of pest control products (pesticides). Before any pesticide is approved for use in Kenya, PCPB conducts rigorous scientific evaluations to determine its efficacy, safety, environmental impact, and suitability for local conditions. The process includes efficacy trials, toxicological assessments, residue analysis, and crop safety evaluations. Through these measures, the Board ensures that only effective and pest control products with acceptable risk profiles based on the use-case scenarios, are available to horticulture growers.
This has enabled farmers to access modern pest management technologies that improve productivity while reducing crop losses caused by pests and diseases. One of the major achievements of PCPB has been fast-tracking registration of low-risk pest control products, which include biological pest control products, through bridging or waiving Data requirements. The Board has approved several biological pest control products for use on roses, summer flowers, French beans, tomatoes, avocados, herbs, and
other horticultural crops.
The biological pest control products include products based on beneficial fungi, bacteria, predatory mites, and parasitic wasps for controlling pests such as thrips, aphids, whiteflies, nematodes, and spider mites. The registration of these products has promoted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and reduced excessive reliance on conventional chemical pesticides.
This intervention has enhanced sustainability in horticulture production while supporting compliance with international food safety standards and environmental conservation goals.
Through registration of biological control products and advocacy for integrated pest management, the Board contributes to biodiversity conservation, soil health protection, and reduced environmental contamination. Sustainable pest management practices are increasingly important in commercial horticulture due to growing global concerns about climate change, ecosystem degradation, and consumer demand for safe food products.
The Board also plays a vital role in quality assurance and market surveillance. Illegal pesticides pose significant risks to farmers, consumers, export markets, and the environment. To address this challenge, the Board conducts inspections, certification, and enforcement activities targeting pesticide manufacturers, distributors, agro-dealers, and importers. Through routine post registration surveillance and laboratory analysis, PCPB checks product quality by verifying if those in the market adhere to the registered specifications.
Additionally, compliance and enforcement officers inspect premises dealing in pest control products for purposes of certification. They conduct product checks, seize non-compliant products and institute legal proceedings where necessary. Smuggled pest control products are often poorly formulated and contain undeclared harmful active ingredients. These products jeopardize food safety and undermine compliance with international market standards.
To strengthen import control and protect growers, PCPB has in the past two years operationalized eight new border point offices to enhance surveillance and curb the entry of illegal products, in efforts to avail safe, efficacious and compliant pest control products to growers.
Farmer education and awareness creation form another important area of intervention by the Board. PCPB conducts training programs, stakeholder workshops, field demonstrations, and sensitization campaigns to educate farmers and agrochemical handlers on the responsible use of pesticides. The training focuses on responsible pesticide handling, proper application techniques, calibration of spraying equipment, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), storage of chemicals, disposal of empty containers, and observance of preharvest intervals. Through these initiatives, horticulture growers are better equipped to comply with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and food safety requirements demanded by export markets such as the European Union. Improved farmer awareness has contributed to safer production practices, reduced health risks, and enhanced market access for Kenyan horticultural products.
The Board further supports Kenya’s export horticulture industry by facilitating compliance with international phytosanitary and food safety standards. Kenya’s flower and fresh produce exports are highly dependent on adherence to strict residue and quarantine requirements imposed by importing countries. PCPB collaborates with exporters, growers, researchers, and international organizations to monitor emerging pest threats and develop effective management strategies.
For example, the Board has provided for emergency registration of products against emerging pests such as False Codling Moth (FCM), a quarantine pest affecting roses, avocados, tomatoes, capsicum, and other horticultural crops. By approving appropriate conventional chemical and biopesticide control measures and sharing technical expertise regionally, the Board has helped protect Kenya’s horticultural exports and maintain the country’s reputation in global markets.
Another key area of PCPB’s work involves policy development, research support, and stakeholder collaboration such as the Fresh Produce Association of Kenya (FPEAK) Kenya Flower Council (KFC), to keep at par with the emerging pest challenges in the horticulture industry thereby providing tailored pest management solution and update regulations in response to emerging challenges. These collaborations facilitate innovation, adoption of safer technologies, and harmonization of standards with international best practices.
Additionally, the PCPB actively contributes to the development of international food safety standards at the Codex Alimentarius Commission level through its participation in the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues. This involvement helps ensure that pesticide residue limits applied to horticultural produce
are scientifically based and aligned with global food safety standards, thereby safeguarding the health of consumers who consume locally produced fruits and vegetables.
The interventions implemented by PCPB have had notable success in strengthening Kenya’s commercial horticulture sector. Improved regulation of pest control products has enhanced food safety, increased productivity, minimized crop losses, and supported export competitiveness. Farmer training programs have improved compliance with pesticide regulations and international standards, while market surveillance activities have reduced circulation of counterfeit agrochemicals. The Board’s support for biopesticides and integrated pest management has also promoted environmentally sustainable farming systems. As a result, Kenya continues to remain one of Africa’s leading exporters of horticultural products.
In conclusion, the Board plays a fundamental role in facilitating horticulture farming in Kenya through technical, scientific, and regulatory interventions. By ensuring the availability of low-risk and effective pest control products, promoting sustainable pest management, educating farmers, enforcing quality standards, and supporting international compliance, the Board has significantly contributed to the growth and competitiveness of Kenya’s horticulture sector. Its continued collaboration with stakeholders and commitment to food safety and environmental protection will remain critical in supporting the longterm sustainability and success of commercial horticulture in Kenya.
PCPB compliance & enforcement officers inspecting products in an agrovet
